The Tiger's Nest Monastary, perched precariously on the edge of a 3,000 ft-high cliff, is one of the holiest places in Bhutan. I took the half-day hike gaining 2,300 ft in altitude. The last stretch of the hike consists of nearly 1,000 stone steps, called "the final task". And indeed, it is a task, but worth the effort. It is amazing, for the history, culture, beauty, & view.
I tried to do the monastary justice using Topaz, Simplify, paint with watercolor.
This is a very awe-inspiring image, Nancy. It's hard to imagine how anyone worked on the sides of the buildings facing the ravine. Or -- based on your account of the climb -- even got the materials there. I really like the Simplify effect on the rocks and trees. My inclination would've been to use shadows/highlights to open up the darkest shadows a bit. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Nancy, A very nice composition, might be a touch tight on the right. Dennis makes a good suggestion regarding the shadows. I like the filtering you applied. It makes it look like a painting. I might be tempted to take a slice off the top to get the bulk of the buildings a little higher in the frame if it were mine. Nicely seen.
Wow. This is a whole different look. Not only does the composition now fit very well with divine proportions, but trimming some off the top, as Denise suggested, better portrays how high the monastery is. The browns seem less red, now, and I like that, too. Best of all, because the monastery is proportionally larger, it's a stronger element without losing any sense of the setting.
Excellent repost! It is a stronger image. I like your processing and it is visually appealing perched on the edge of the ravine. I wouldn't be able to climb up there!
The repost is marvelous! You captured a scene that way it had to be captured. I t give's me vertigo just thinking about living there. Exellent work, Nancy.
Wow! Great capture, super repost, but what impresses me is the hike, though, propably not as tough to a 8000' Colorado Gal as the rest of us, must have been a slog up those steps. My grandniece just came back from visiting base camp of Everest and surrounding sights, was really impressed with your Monastry accomplishment. Two things I slightly regret is not getting to Africa & Everest. Next time they will be on my bucket list However, life is so beautiful I have no room for strong regrets!!!!
Thanks for sharing your adventure
Gus
BTW: Have you ever experienced via ferrate in the Dolomite mountain region of Italy ?