Tracy Kaminer
April 2026 - Finger Painting
About the Image(s)
Finger Painting
For my first submission, I chose a scene from the Grand Canyon that I took last March. This was taken at sunset and the golden light on the canyon was beautiful, but what attracted me was what I saw when I cropped in. I hope it's a fresh perspective on the iconic Canyon. Aside from cropping to accentuate the fan-like markings , I intensified the red and blue hues. I like the pastel look but thought it needed something to stand out more. The vibrance is mostly situated in the lower third. I'm just learning about landscape photography, so I'm very open to suggestions and comments. Thank you.
11 comments posted
A very interesting take on the Grand Canyon. I like the composition and the color palette. To my eye the image appears a bit flat. Suggestions would be to peg the white and black points, increase clarity and make a strong S curve in the tonal range Posted: 04/05/2026 19:02:48
Thank you very much for your suggestions. I'll try that. Posted: 04/05/2026 19:15:31
The canyon offers quite an array of interpretation possibilities that it is always interesting to see how other interpret it.This artistic approach offers some different looks for sure. My first impression was that the image was overexposed, as the potential vivid colors seem washed out. Then I looked at the histogram (see attached image) and you will see that all the tones of the image are in the mid-tone range. This results in an image, lacking in contrast and appearing flat. If you spread out the tonal range the image will have more punch to it. How much you spread those tones is, of course, your choice. It is all about what mood you want to create--you are the maker. Posted: 04/05/2026 23:24:07
Ah, very helpful. Thanks. Posted: 04/06/2026 00:59:53
That's so interesting. I played with the tone panel in LR, which I had never done before, just to see how it would change things. The histogram is more spread out. This version looks more like a child's depiction of the Grand Canyon, which fits the finger painting theme. I'd go back and start over, but this gave me something to think about. LS Posted: 04/06/2026 01:15:52
Hi Tracy. I love how this photo captures the canyon's textures in an abstract, almost painterly way. The diagonal rock slopes and horizontal rock layers pull my eye through the frame. The sun washed pastels create a nice hazy palette. Possibly adding contrast and selective sharpening will enhance the canyon strata while preserving the dreamy atmosphere. Posted: 04/08/2026 14:04:39
Good idea. Thank you, Barbara. Posted: 04/08/2026 21:47:06
Hi Tracy - the Grand Canyon is one of the most amazing places I have ever been. In the course of a few short hours, I watched the colors change from subtle to intense from soft oranges to deep purples. It all happened so quickly because the Canyon is so deep and the light is so intense. The image that you have shown here has amazing color and texture. Lucky you to witness this special time of day in this extraordinary place!
It's not clear to me what lens , camera, and settings you were using here - which could help us understand how you arrived at this image.
I agree with Michael's observation that that the image could use more depth. Perhaps push contrast, play with shadows and light, texture and clarity (assuming you use Lightroom Classic) …?
Posted: 04/10/2026 02:46:41
It's not clear to me what lens , camera, and settings you were using here - which could help us understand how you arrived at this image.
I agree with Michael's observation that that the image could use more depth. Perhaps push contrast, play with shadows and light, texture and clarity (assuming you use Lightroom Classic) …?
Posted: 04/10/2026 02:46:41
Sure. ISO 500, 100mm but cropped in, f8, 1/600ss. Canon r6 mark 2. Thanks for your comments. I'm going to start paying more attention to the histogram. I have a tendency to stay too much in midtones, I think. Thank you. Posted: 04/10/2026 10:24:16
I agree with L. and yet there is something very interesting the in the "flat looks too" I think it draws me in to stare and search it. Either way is is beautiful and the colors are great.
Posted: 04/16/2026 16:05:10
Posted: 04/16/2026 16:05:10
Tracy, I really like your image, it is quite compelling. I do agree with the others that it looks a little flat, which can be easily fixed. When I visited the Grand Canyon, most of the images I took had a similar problem and needed to be adjusted in some way. If memory serves, I found that a medium dehaze usually took care of the "flat" look, but adjusting the contrast/brightness and saturation could also be useful. Posted: 04/17/2026 21:26:11