Bill Peake  

Vasquez Rocks by Bill Peake

January 2025 - Vasquez Rocks

January 2025 - Bill Peake

Original

About the Image(s)

I recently got a new phone, a Pixel 9 Pro, which is supposed to have a pretty decent camera with a 48/50 MP sensor. This is one of a series of test shots I took at Vasquez Rocks Park at the end of November 2024. I just used the Android Camera app that came with the phone. I could list the exif info from the image, but I just used the automatic mode, so the app made all the decisions.

Post processing was done in Photoshop 2024. I did some initial exposure/color adjustments in a Camera Raw filter as well as a light dehaze. I did some spot saturation enhancement of some of the foliage. I then cropped the image to 16:9 and added a light warming filter.

I do have the Open Camera App which gives a lot more control as well as saving the raw images. I’m going to give that a shot next to see what it comes up with.

6 comments posted

Larry Treadwell   Larry Treadwell
On occasion a decent cell phone image can be captured and this is an example of such an image. It appears sharp and well exposed and the well saturated colors. For me the issue isn't the phone but the composition. I feel the twin rising rock formations are in competition with each other with neither one actually winning. The subject has to be dominant. Perhaps eliminating the formation on the left and cropping off some of the "big sky" from the would make the right side formation feel more dominant. Perhaps a lover camera angle might 'lift" the right formation and make it more dominant. That stair case on the left may make a good leading line.   Posted: 01/12/2025 18:47:00
Michael Jack   Michael Jack
It is getting difficult, if not impossible, to determine what equipment was used to take the image. I have seen some 40 inch wide prints from an iPhone image that had incredible detail. This image appears to me to have sharpness, shadow detail and accurate color. I like your crop up from the bottom. I tend to agree with Larry's comment about the formations. One is bright and one is in the shadows. If you had the opportunity to move way to the right to bring the formations closer together, I think that may have worked.   Posted: 01/12/2025 23:44:57
Arne Skinlo   Arne Skinlo
I think mobile phones will take over more and more, but for me, it is the process of setting up the camera, decide the settings and then push the trigger that is the reason why I take pictures. The picture is technically good, but I agree with Larry, that there are too many competing elements.   Posted: 01/19/2025 08:28:06
Gokulananda Nandan   Gokulananda Nandan
I agree with Larry, Michael and Arne. I just found out a similar shot of Vazquez rocks with more details visible of the rock at the left side. I think Larry and Michael have said similar things.   Posted: 01/19/2025 10:12:42
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Barbara Gore   Barbara Gore
Hi Bill. Good capture. The newer phones have the capabilities for great photos and offer so many creative possibilities. This photo has good color, textures, shapes, light and shadows. Just a thought, consider focusing on a single element and convert to black and white which could help simplify the composition.   Posted: 01/19/2025 19:30:14
Adi Ben-Senior   Adi Ben-Senior
B,
very engaging and well done. I like the original more than your edited ver. See another proposed crop   Posted: 01/20/2025 23:30:23
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