Angles - 6x15"
One of the most wonderful things about Colorado National Monument is the diversity of subjects it offers. I had been "window shopping" (my euphemism for wandering aimlessly and indecisively) for about 20 minutes, and was beginning to think about moving on. Ultimately, the delay proved providential, as it had allowed the sun to move enough to throw some dramatic highlights on this geometric sandstone protrusion. Investigation with my viewfinders yielded this rather offbeat possibility which I found an appealing challenge. I enjoy finding new perspectives on the landscape, and this was too good a chance to pass up.
STEP 1: GETTING BUSY
Because of the position and orientation of this subject in relation to the sun, it was actually fairly fugitive, so I decided to forego the thumbnail sketches and just dive right in.
STEP 2: GOING TO THE DARK SIDE
Because the movement of the sun was slowly diminishing the shadowed areas, and because it was these very elements that gave the subject its structure, it was imperative to block them in first, and do it relatively quickly.
STEP 3: BOUNCING LIGHT
Getting enough of the highlights in the foreground to suffice, I then move back into the shadows and begin to resolve the variations created there by the powerful sunlight bouncing off the high-key rocks. The intensity of the light makes these areas very "open", and though the values are kept relatively dark, the reflected light gives them a decided warmth which I take into account by bringing my warm colors into the mix.
STEP 4: IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS
The fractured character of the sandstone is complete with the addition of some very dark, delicate brushstrokes. Additionally, the darkest areas are now added to the trees, and the final variations are added to the shadows by adding some cooler bits where the buff colored stone picks up a little reflection of the blue sky.
STEP 5: FORE!
My attention now turns to resolving the foreground. Shadows are added and the vegetation is enhanced. Highlights are now added to the junipers and the mormon tea bushes, and the sky color is laid in.
STEP 6: IT'S HIGHLIGHT TIME
Highlights are now added to complete the impression of the sharply cleaved sandstone. Once this last element is in place, the fine tuning can begin - tweaking an edge here and there, and making final small refinements to the foreground.
FINISHED!