Emil Davidzuk
December 2025 - Totem Pole
Original
About the Image(s)
Monument Valley Icon. I decided to redo my BW rendering starting from the original. I wanted open the shadows on the Totem Pole and make it stand out.
Workflow: I replaced the sky in PS. I then used NIK Silver Efex for BW and a touch of Detail Extractor in Color Efex. I cleaned up the foreground in PS and then went to LR Classic using the masking tools.
Camera: Sony with FE 24-70 f2.8 at 48mm. 1/8sec f16, ISO 64, 0 EV
5 comments posted
Emil, your handling of the photograph was masterful. The B&W version emphasizes the brushes' textures and the wonderful curved lines in the sand. But what makes this image captivating is the processing you did with the sky. You took it from a dull, featureless sky to one that somehow seems to replicate the feelings of the land beneath it. Opening the dark cliffs nicely anchors the totem pole.
Outstanding processing! Posted: 12/07/2025 14:00:41
Outstanding processing! Posted: 12/07/2025 14:00:41
Michael Laezza
Hi Emil - Fantastic Image. Makes me realize what I missed when we had to cancel our trip to several National Parks in the area in April 2020 because of Covid.
The B&W treatment brings out details in the sand , sky and shrubs not really seen in the original. And the composition does emphasize the prominence of the Totem pole.
I did a slight crop at the bottom to take away a bit of the attention from the shrub .
Cheers
Mike Posted: 12/08/2025 01:59:28
The B&W treatment brings out details in the sand , sky and shrubs not really seen in the original. And the composition does emphasize the prominence of the Totem pole.
I did a slight crop at the bottom to take away a bit of the attention from the shrub .
Cheers
Mike Posted: 12/08/2025 01:59:28
Emil, in my photography I claim that "nothing is on the picture that wasnt on the negative". This prevents from replacing the sky as you did but also releives me from the many decisions how to undertake such replacement. I admire your skills in doing so as the sky not only provides a good contrast to the sand but also looks perfectly natural. Very well done Posted: 12/09/2025 18:39:56
Hi Emil,
Greetings my friend.
An amazing image and the monochrome treatment of this surely give it a special perspective. I loved the composition and the presentation. A perfect Totem pole indeed.
Thanks sagain and have a lovely holidays ahead.
Cheers.
Kamal. Posted: 12/15/2025 11:40:22
Greetings my friend.
An amazing image and the monochrome treatment of this surely give it a special perspective. I loved the composition and the presentation. A perfect Totem pole indeed.
Thanks sagain and have a lovely holidays ahead.
Cheers.
Kamal. Posted: 12/15/2025 11:40:22
Emil,
Very nice conversation to B&W. I like how the light and the lines in the sand surrounding the monument. Very nice job on the sky replacement. Really adds interest to the sky.
Chris Posted: 12/16/2025 12:29:51
Very nice conversation to B&W. I like how the light and the lines in the sand surrounding the monument. Very nice job on the sky replacement. Really adds interest to the sky.
Chris Posted: 12/16/2025 12:29:51