Sunrise and Sunset at Arches (Not HDRs!)

[RussHeath]

I recently posted some HDRs of Arches National Park in the critique my shot section. Here are a couple of other pictures from the same trip.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1245/1209901383_a6e871326c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russheath/1209901383/)
This was taken just before sunrise.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1356/1210760678_12e6fa9bc4.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russheath/1210760678/)
This one was taken at sunset in an area of Arches known as The Garden of Eden.

Feedback appreciated.

[Robin Sarac]

I'm afraid I can't provide much feedback other than to say that the colors in those pictures are gorgeous. :)

I love the blue silhouettes of the mountains in the background of the first one.

The second one looks a bit soft in terms of focus, but again...marvelous color. The way those little green bushes stick out in the midst of all that red...very nice.

Is that 18-200 VR lens as great as "they" say it is? I would love to own that lens...well not that one, but one just like it. LOL!

[RussHeath]

Robin - Thanks for the comments! I agree with you that the second picture is slightly soft, which I don't see on the original image on my computer. Wonder if it's an artifact of Flickr's sizing down process?

As to your second question: Yes. I currently own 3 lenses for my D80, and I must admit that the 18-200 rarely comes off. I think all the photos currently in my Flickr photostream were shot with the 18-200 (macros with my 105 soon to come). The most common complaint about it is lens creep, which does not occur if you bother to zoom all the way back to 18mm before hanging it around your neck (something I tend to do anyway). The VR works wonders. It does definitely encourage "lazy photographer syndrome," however, by having such a huge zoom range! ;)

[mysticeyesx]

wow awesome colors in both shots

[Fusion08]

2 stunning images. Excellent. :)

[RussHeath]

wow awesome colors in both shots

Thanks! It's an amazing place, with colors like that all over the place.:)

2 stunning images. Excellent. :)

I've seen a lot of your work on this forum, and that means a lot. Thanks!:rolleyes: