Oliver Morton, APSA
October 2026 - Curves - 25 MPH
Original
About the Image(s)
About a week ago, I was in Las Vegas attending the PSA convention (which they call a festival). While there, I drove out to Red Rock Canyon, only about 30 miles away from the city. Since it was a weekday, there were very few people at the canyon. At one of the pull-offs, I took a picture of a distant road with a white car traveling along it. The original image was, frankly, boring. However, I played with it a bit… changing the car's color and cropping extensively to see what could be done with the photograph. I would appreciate your thoughts.
Data: Hasselblad X2D II, 35-100mm lens @100mm; 1/400 sec; f/5.6; ISO 50; handheld
6 comments posted
Pete, seeing the original really shows how much the crop improved the image. The winding road now becomes a wonderful leading line, and changing the car to red gives my eye a strong focal point and a sense of scale. My eye does get pulled toward the bright yellow road sign and the very bright white area along the curve of the road, so I would consider toning both down. I might also slightly lighten the rock formation to bring out more of its wonderful texture. I really like how you found a much stronger composition within the original scene. Posted: 10/02/2026 01:20:10
Hi Pete, I think this a fantastic improvement on the original frame. Those red rocks are wonderful but the lighting is very flat. I wonder if you could do some dodging and burning to bring in a more 3D look to them. There are a couple of splashes of light on the area between the road and the rocks and something like that on the rocks might lift them. Agree with Sophia's comments too. Posted: 10/02/2026 03:34:24
Hi Pete. I agree that this version is much stronger than the original. And, yes, changing the colour of the car was a great choice! I agree that some dodging and burning might help, just to bring out the texture in the landscape a little. Posted: 10/12/2026 05:40:47
Sophia, Mark, and Suzanne, as each of you suggested, I played with the image a bit more to incorporate your ideas. The lighting was updated to highlight the rocks and landscape. Also, I darkened the bright areas on the sides of the road. What do you think?
Posted: 10/13/2026 20:34:37
Posted: 10/13/2026 20:34:37
Hi Pete. I like the edits you made to the photo. I agree with the above suggestions and have nothing more to add. Posted: 10/15/2026 20:30:50
Hi Pete!
Great shot! It feels like a landscape from another planet… Posted: 10/19/2026 13:58:11
Great shot! It feels like a landscape from another planet… Posted: 10/19/2026 13:58:11