One More Image from the McCord Tail

Although not the best weather conditions for landscape photography, with some work one image did turn out.  A desaturated view from the overlook on the McCord trail, looking west across Cave Creek Canyon is shown below.  By desaturating the colors the differences in texture create a layered 3D effect with the rock outcrops appearing layered upon one another (click on the photograph to get a larger image).  This creates a diagonal composition with layers of rock outcrops running from the upper left (background layer) down to the lower right (foreground layer).  The layering effect is mirrored by the shadows which also run from the upper right to the lower left.  Notice also how the edges of the rock outcrops are sharp and crisp which lends to the layering effect and enhances the 3D appearance of the image.  All in all, a pleasing image of the landscape.

A view from the McCord trail above Cave Creek Canyon in the Chiricahua mountains.

Layers of Mountains

Headed into Rodeo the other morning to meet with Chiricahua Sky Island Rodeo for the weekly hike when this view presented itself.  Rounding the curve by the old bridge north of town the combination of location and the early morning sun were just right creating a layered effect of the series of ridges in the Peloncillo Mountains to the southeast.  Stopping on the road and backing up to find the best location the image below was captured.

Of course the camera never records the exact image I see (the result of either the camera software or the operator), so the image was processed in Gimp.  The contrast was increased, the image partially desaturated, and the color curve adjusted slightly.  This highlighted the layering effect of the various hills and ridges from the foreground to the background.  The real trick was to achieve some differentiation between the clouds and the most distant ridge line in the photograph without overexposing the areas of clear sky and areas of the image where the sun was particularly strong.

The camera used was a Canon SX110 IS I purchased at Wallmart.  Nothing fancy, but is small and works well.

Looking southeast into the Peloncillo Mountains