Cliche? Maybe, but only because most of the planet's population agrees that it's a beautiful place. I haven't gotten tired of looking at these images yet. I like this one. I think the high contrast creates drama. There's just enough detail in the darker areas to hold some mystery without going black. Some might not like the bright highlights, but I think the curving highlight on the left helps balance the image by repeating the curve of the foreground rock on the right. And the others accentuate the shapes of the rock.
If you want more detail in the shadows and/or highlights, you could make a broader range of exposures to combine in HDR, but I'm sure you know that.
Hi Phil,
I agree with Chris.......so what you've seen it......it's still very well composed (great curves) and lit. You'd be surprised by how many bad pictures I see from there. Well done and I hope on your April/May trip you add to your collection!
Roman
I'm a big believer in two things: Icons are icons for a reason, and if I've never photographed a location it's new & exciting to me no matter how many thousands of photographers have stood there before me.
I honestly see nothing to critique with this image. The composition is perfect and your blend is very well executed. Too many photographers create blends that just aren't natural looking but this doesn't have any of the tell-tale signs of an HDR image. Really a beautiful image, Phil.
Not much to add Phil, I think the composition is very strong, I particularly like how the curve of the rock emerges from the lower right and leads your eye along with the brightening of the light to the top of the frame. Great to see you here, I really enjoy your work.
Like Bret said "Icons are icons for a reason". This is beautiful. I hope to get there some day and would love to get an image like this. The colors and gradations are super. The curves are emphasized well with the processing you did. Thanks for sharing.