As I can see, this has been a well-discussed image for good reason as it has the potential to polarize the photographic community.
It is a spectacular image but I'm in the "over-cooked" camp for two reasons.
- While the light and colour may have been stupendous, the over-processing has taken away from the realism to the point where it longer looks like a real place on Earth but perhaps something you would see in a video game or a sci-fi movie. If that's the original intent of the photographer as was pre-visualized it in the field then, congratulations to shadowblade for achieving it. However, it does appear to be more the result of "what can I do with this in post-capture processing to increase the drama?".
- Secondly, there is very strong initial appeal as the image is so dramatic. But I wonder how long that appeal would continue once it is printed and up on the wall. How much is there in the dark shadows to keep our interest beyond the red highlights?
I must confess, though, I am approaching this as one who is more firmly in the realist camp so my opinion is not entirely objective.
This is a classic if not overly baked example of a failure of critique.
I mention this to show that all too often these kinds of comments end up being more about our own bias rather than to even try and go through the motions of attempting to learn something of other people’s skills or goals; or an attempt to learn anything at all.
However, it does appear to be more the result of "what can I do with this in post-capture processing to increase the drama?".
Have you never captured an intensely colorful and contrasty sunset or do you not like high contrast images, or what? We get this kind of phenomena on occasion around here. I can post an example if needed. The phenomena is recurrent around here and clearly in many other areas as well. My experience is that this kind of sunset shot often doesn't require a lot of PP. That's not to say it can't be done.
Employing a ND filter may have helped produce the result we saw. I’ve never used a ND filter, but between the “Mongolian steppe” image and a few other outstanding images, the desire for at least a couple of ND filters has made it to my list of worthwhile hardware i would like to have.
Secondly, there is very strong initial appeal as the image is so dramatic.
I agree that the image is appealing. The appeal is also due to the sense of abstraction, the composition, and also due to the use of the pano format; plus, as you indicated, it is dramatic.
But I wonder how long that appeal would continue once it is printed and up on the wall.
I don’t understand why you question that the appeal for this work would fade in time, more than appeal for any kind of work? But I will add that this kind of work is very difficult to print and have it look as good as it does on screen. The limited gamut of printing papers often destroys the delicacy and nuance of darker tones.
How much is there in the dark shadows to keep our interest beyond the red highlights?
Why do you infer there needs to be more of anything in the dark shadows?
I must confess, though, I am approaching this as one who is more firmly in the realist camp so my opinion is not entirely objective.
I agree, it clearly does not even try to be objective.
