Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colo.

[Tom Barry]

[Nihia]

Hi Tom Barry

I think I can see what attracted you to this scene - the sense of discovery, the excitement & anticipation. I think you wanted to use the rule of thirds to accentuate the differences between where you were & the pathway to the 'garden'.

However, for me, the dark, shaded, heavy-looking rocks was just a bit too much. Perhaps if you had been able to stand further away from that pathway & use DoF ...?

Anyway, I cropped out some of both sides of the rocky cliffs which for me seemed to open up the garden to emphasise the sense of discovery. Love the contrasting blue of the sky, the bright white wispy clouds, the green of the forest, & the ochres of the rocky cliffs. t
There are good contrasts in the textures too, & I seem to feel a breeze drifting in from the forest.

Here is my take on this scene - for what it's worth.

Garden of the Gods by Tom Barry cropped.jpg

Nihia

[Tom Barry]

Thanks for the comments and suggestion. I rarely mind when someone plays a bit with my submissions - it's part of what we're here for, yes? Here's another version of the same file, made vertical and a little Topaz Detail applied:

[Nihia]

Oooh yes. That's the one. Nice.

Nihia

Er ... what's Topaz um thingy?

[Tom Barry]

Oooh yes. That's the one. Nice.

Nihia

Er ... what's Topaz um thingy?

Thanks. Topaz Labs makes some of the best PP plug-ins available. Detail is the latest, and enables you to work on the smallest to the largest details in a photo without the usual artifacts. Google for Topaz Labs.

[n0ct]

I like the vertical composition. Must have been taken at the south end of the central garden looking north towards the old quarry.

[Tom Barry]

I like the vertical composition. Must have been taken at the south end of the central garden looking north towards the old quarry.

I don't have a GPS, but my memory tells me you are spot on.

[maloufn]

Thanks for the comments and suggestion. I rarely mind when someone plays a bit with my submissions - it's part of what we're here for, yes? Here's another version of the same file, made vertical and a little Topaz Detail applied:

Thats a great improvement on the original. Brightening those midtones (right rock) made all the difference. Lovely photo.