This month's submission is a lesson learned--don't be afraid to go back through old digital files on your stored hard drives and look for something you now like. Today's post-processing software didn't exist to the extent is does now when I took this image 15 years ago inside Joshua Tree National Park. By the way...add JT to your bucket list if you haven't been already...it's a wonderful place and a quiet national park in comparison to many. Nearest town to it is TwentyNine Palms, CA. Anyway...look at the original and see why I passed over it. This was in my early days of IR, and my exposures left a lot to be desired. Photoshop 2024 plus Nik Silver Efex Pro to the rescue! Here's the finished result. Tech details: my first converted IR DSLR, a Nikon D90. 18-70mm lens at 18mm. ISO 200, f8, 1/60th second exposure
6 comments posted
Jack Florence Jr
It's not what I remember from Joshua Tree, Gary, but good for you for finding something different. I'm amazed at how those rocks pop, and in infrared. There must have been some moss or some such on them. Nice center lightning, and good job bringing this back from the underexposed original. Posted: 01/01/2025 23:29:07
Henry Heerschap
Gary - my first thought when I saw this image before I read your text was "I'll bet that was shot at Joshua Tree!" Those boulders made a big impression on me when my wife and I visited for the first time two years ago. It's a great place and simple, but powerful compositions abound. It's perfect just as it is and I encourage you to make a print! Posted: 01/03/2025 00:19:37
Charles Walker
Gary, it is amazing what you did with a 12 megapixel camera. Postprocessing makes it look like you had much more resolution. Beyond the increased clarity and details, I like how the grass is illuminated. Keep unearthing these hidden gems. Posted: 01/05/2025 00:29:19
Arik Gorban
Excellent work with a simple scene. The composition is strong and the processing is great. Nicely done.
Posted: 01/05/2025 21:26:04
Melanie Hurwitz
Well found Gary. You make me want to be there! The textures you found in the rocks are palpable. Great processing too. Posted: 01/06/2025 15:26:52
Emil Davidzuk
Gary
Nature has a way of allowing plants to grow in hostile rock covered locations. I like the delicate petals against the large coarse rocks.
Your implied message of keeping images that are not perfect SOOC is one I adhere to as well. Our tools improve over time and our eye evolves as to what we like in a composition
