Steve Knight  


Levels of Time by Steve Knight

October 2020 - Levels of Time

October 2020 - Steve Knight

Original

About the Image(s)

This image is titled Levels of Time and it was taken at the Taos Pueblo last November. The shot was taken with a Canon 6D with an ISO of 200, pretty much my standard ISO. On this particular camera this ISO gives me a lot of exposure options while still producing a quality image for printing. The lens used was Canon's EF 24-105 L f/4, my go-to lens 80% of the time. It was set at 40mm and f8 with a shutter speed of 1/800. As one can tell from the shadows, this was taken late evening. I started, as usual, in Lightroom. This is where I cropped the image and added texture and clarity. I then converted to black and white in Photoshop using a B&W adjustment layer. The contrast was refined next using a levels adjustment layer. My first print was a bit too contrasty to my tastes so I opened up the shadows a bit back in Lightroom to achieve what you see here. This was our first trip to Taos Pueblo, but hopefully will not be our last. Northern New Mexico is my favorite place in the USA.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
6 comments posted




David Halgrimson   David Halgrimson
I have been here to Taos Pueblo, a great place for some great shots. When I was there they were having a pow wow, that was extra special.

You captured a good feel for the buildings there, multiple levels and I imagine built over time, hence the title. The texture and detail work well along with the dark sky and make it feel like it did when I was there. I think it would be stronger if it were a horizontal and included more of the building, that probably comes from knowing most of them were long with lots more to show. You captured a great example.   Posted: 10/05/2020 08:32:07



Paul Hoffman   Paul Hoffman
I am not sure what I am looking at here, is this one building or house on top of house on top of house which is the effect that I get. The effect is very strong and does give you the feeling of crowding and people on top of people. We used to have something over here called back to back, where you had blocks of 12 houses in a tight block with multiple families in each house, I get the same feeling here.
The texture and lighting is handled very well and can see why this would be one of your favorite places to visit.   Posted: 10/19/2020 06:03:26
 
This is a multi-storied residential complex, though it seems most of the owners currently live outside the compound and maintain these as ancestral homes. This pueblo was thought to have been built sometime between 1000 and 1450 and is one of the oldest continuously occupied sites in the US. It's been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1960.   Posted: 10/20/2020 00:47:48



 
This is a wonderful image. The light, texture, tones, and compositon are great. When I try to photograph this type of place I find the hardest thing is to find something new, something that might make my image different from the ones so many others have made. I would love to see more of your pictures. We still have a small cabin near Chama NM and I can't wait to get back to that area.   Posted: 10/25/2020 09:01:11



Vincent Cochain   Vincent Cochain
In one day you can take dozens of pictures of this place in function of the shadow. It can be difficult to choose, but you have to.
You took it at 40 mm. If I may, and it is only my opinion, I would have taken it at lower focal length to have more the light on the middle left corner. On the color version you have some, but not enough (my opinion). This would have brought light in this dark part. The upper left gutter would have been completely ont he picture.
A little more space on the right to have all the upper "window" and to correct the inclination.   Posted: 10/26/2020 07:08:03



Jerry Hug   Jerry Hug
Almost looks like an Infrared image. I see details in the large entry door. Very good.

Been there and really never saw this shot. There are always so many options when shooting and I think you found an interesting shot.

Jerry

  Posted: 10/26/2020 17:05:38