Obstacles...

[Morkel Erasmus]

This image is from our recent trip to the South African Highveld region of Dullstroom.

At first it didn't look like I would be able to test out my new 7D/10-22mm/Kenko pro CPL combo for landscapes, but after some exploration I found a scene that gave me plenty of compositional options.

Here is a blend of 3 exposures taken one morning. I was shooting in the other direction but wanted to get a shot of the sun flaring through an angle in the rocks.

The sky was cloudless that morning, and I also should have wiped the filter clean before shooting into the sun (thanks Kobus) :(.

All critique most welcome!

Techs:
Canon 7D with 10-22mm USM @ 12mm
f22 @ ISO-100
-2;0;+2 bracketing
HDR using manual blending in Photoshop and I also threw in one layer of the same shot blended in Photomatix at high opacity.

[Kobus Tollig]

Always a please bud HAHAA.

REally nice shot you have here. Only thing for me is the spot.....but that you know

[Dave Mills]

Hi Morkel, I give you credit for finding a comp the most people would entirely overlook. Interesting lichen and color on the foreground rock with the other rocks acting as a path to the backround.
The starburst is well placed and makes the image. You caught it just at the right time.
Nicely done!

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Morkel,
Very nicely placed on the sunburst and very well thought out on minimizing the sun. If you think yours was dirty....well let's just say Kobus would have a fit with mine!!! I don't find it that offensive.....call it a flare:D.....they are in Vogue right now! Nice job with the FG rock placement and super job on the blend!

[Tim Munsey]

Nice, love the collection of greens.

Tim

[Morkel Erasmus]

thank you for the great feedback Roman, Dave, Kobus & Tim! :)

[Dennis "Curly" Buchner]

Very effective comp

[Hilary Hann]

Morkel, you just keep them coming ... another interesting and different view and well thought out. Like it.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks a lot Curly & Hilary :)

[Robert Amoruso]

Morkel,

I like how this worked out from the sunburst to the rich detail in the image. Colored burst/flare is cool too - goes with the colors in the scene.

[Morkel Erasmus]

appreciate your feedback Robert!