nina050
FollowA raven appears to be gazing in appreciation at the West Mitten butte of Monument Valley in Arizona. He posed for just a moment before flying off....
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A raven appears to be gazing in appreciation at the West Mitten butte of Monument Valley in Arizona. He posed for just a moment before flying off.
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Awards
People's Choice in Funky Trees Photo Challenge
Winner in Desert Landscapes Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Creative Travels Photo Contest
Winner in Arizona Show Me Your Best Landscape Shot Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Covers Photo Contest Vol 32
Winner in Landscapes in the Daylight Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Desert Vistas Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Simple Landscapes Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Compositions 101 Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Canyons And Red Rocks Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Superior Skill
Genius
Love it
Virtuoso
Top Ranks
Categories
chuckrickman
February 21, 2016
This must be in 3D I feel I am standing in that exact spot and can touch everything. You are a Genius my friend.
trainwoman
February 21, 2016
This is pure genius. Beautiful composition, crisp focus.
VB robbed me of the award I wanted to give you
VB robbed me of the award I wanted to give you
susanhuckins
February 21, 2016
What an amazing shot, so well composed and presented. Well done. Susan
DorisSeybold
February 25, 2016
What a shot Nina!!! I love everything about it - the sharpness, the colors, the angle and of course the raven- it`s marvelous!!!!
SnowbunnyPhotography
February 25, 2016
Wow! Great catch! They are big birds and he looks so small compared to his surroundings. LOL! :-)
ElenaRK
March 06, 2016
Great composition! The tree shadow works very well and the crow is ingenious.
GreenCopperz
March 18, 2016
I could wear out my keyboard but it's simpler to write ditto all the above :-) great shot!
NatureLoverJJWal
March 21, 2016
I love this, i love the lighting and the rendition. Voted Monthly Pro Vol 20
texaaronpueschel
March 24, 2016
Knockout!! This is a dazzling image of the Southwest. The raven adds to the impact.,
spencefairbanks
March 26, 2016
You must of had the shakes when he landed there!!! Great capture! I have close to the same shot, sans the bird...
KayBrewer
April 08, 2016
Oh, my, Nina - you and Mark are in competition in the Canyon and Red Rocks contest - I'm thinking you were together ?:) Anyhow, congratulations - you have a great shot here and I'll just have to root for both of you!
orlandosadie
April 08, 2016
Stunning image! Remind me of what was probably the highlight of our cross country tour of the US. Sleeping under the stars in the middle of the Navajo Reserve
AHogue
April 09, 2016
Congratulations on this gorgeous finalist! I was hoping I would see one of you guys in this group.
kathymuhle
April 10, 2016
This photo zings; beautifully framed, clear subject and the raven posing! Well done and congratulations on your win! :)
trainwoman
April 10, 2016
Congratulations on the finalist finish in canyons and red rocks........you are so GOOD
marcpelletier
April 10, 2016
Bravo nina for your ranking as a finalist in the Red Rock Contest... you rock! :)
micfos
April 11, 2016
Congratulations on being a finalist, you must feel very proud of this wonderful photo ! :))
Pamelabole
April 18, 2016
This is a gorgeous shot Nina!!! ....just beautiful!!! And congrats on your well deserved award!!!! : )
JoyceDickens
April 28, 2016
I always knew that this image was a winner dear Nina; so good to see you and Mark both getting such well deserved recognition - big congratulations my friend!!!
KayBrewer
May 18, 2016
Congratulations, Nina! A well-deserved Finalist in Compositions 101. Good luck!
KayBrewer
May 24, 2016
This one's on a roll!! Congratulations, Nina - finalist in Simple Landscapes - now win!
mihrt
May 24, 2016
WOW - I'm sorry I didn't see all the AWARDS you got for this magnificent shot Nina!!! Congrats, it was deserving of every one!!
Pamelabole
May 30, 2016
Still lovin' it!!! : )
Congrats on being a Finalist Winner for both the Simple Landscape and the Compositions 101 Photo Contests. So well deserved!!
Congrats on being a Finalist Winner for both the Simple Landscape and the Compositions 101 Photo Contests. So well deserved!!
GayleLucci
May 31, 2016
Congratulations, Nina! Absolutely perfect composition...complete with raven. Love the balance and leading line of the juniper root.
modelmeemaw
June 03, 2016
This is truly a winner. I wish you would come to the Fl Keys and give me some lessons on post processing :-)
Martha
Martha
Pamelabole
June 14, 2016
Again, congrats on being selected as a finalist for this amazing capture!!!! So, so well deserved! Gorgeous!!! : )
carolcardillo
August 03, 2016
I missed this when the Finalists were announced! Congrats on its 4th Award, Nina!!!
mihrt
August 09, 2016
Voted 5000 Dramatic Landscapes ! Congrats Winning Desert Vistas Contest Finalist! I'm sure this one will win many awards!!
LaurieandGregClayton
October 10, 2016
Join the conversation. Add a comment or even better, a critique. Let's get better together!
KayBrewer
October 11, 2016
Girl, you are sure on a roll! Congrats for winning finalist in the Covers contest!
KayBrewer
November 02, 2016
Congratulations on a finalist win for this picture, Nina! Creative Travels!
DorisSeybold
November 14, 2016
Congrats on your finalist award Nina and on your Challenge Win!!!! You`re on a roll!
DorisSeybold
January 17, 2017
CONGRATS Nina!!!!!!!! you`re under the best of landscapes 2016!!! I am so happy with you!!
nina050
January 18, 2017
You guys are just the BEST! Thank you for all the wonderful feedback and support!!
Bellatrix_B2
May 19, 2017
Whooo~hoo!!!! Congratulations,Nina!!!! This is one seriously phenomenal image!!!! シ
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This photograph was taken in Monument Valley, Arizona in March 2015 along the 17-mile loop road.Time
We began our drive through the valley during mid-morning, and since several pullouts to view the mittens are at the beginning of the drive, this shot was one of the first taken that day at about 9:00 a.m.Lighting
The contrast between the blue sky with clouds and the colors of the desert and red rocks makes almost any time of day in this location a good time to photograph. However, getting up early is always worth the effort because there is often a chance that the photographer will be rewarded with the colors of a wonderful sunrise, especially behind the mittens.Equipment
This photo was taken handheld with a Nikon D7100 and a Nikkor 18-105mm zoom lens with a polarizing filter. No other equipment was used.Inspiration
Knowing that Monument Valley has been photographed countless times and from every possible vantage point, I knew that it was going to be difficult to find something unique. But seeing the gnarled tree at one of the pullouts along the road I decided that it would make a wonderful "frame" for the mitten in the distance. The raven flying into the tree at just the right moment was the bonus I was looking for! He only stayed for just a few seconds before flying off, but it was just enough to make this photo unique!Editing
Even though the colors were already rich with lots of wonderful contrast, I did some minor adjustments in Lightroom to bring out more color, contrast and clarity to add more depth to the photo.In my camera bag
Since this photo was taken, I have upgraded to a Nikon D750 full frame camera. I usually use my Nikkor 28-300mm zoom lens which I find to be extremely versatile in most situations. I also use a Nikkor 24-120mm lens on occasion. I always have 2 64gb memory cards in my camera and keep a spare 32gb card in my bag as a backup, since I usually shoot in both Raw and jpg Fine. Additionally, I always carry a fully charged spare battery and battery charger, UV and polarizing filters for all lenses, a Tiffen variable ND filter, the Cokin ND filter system, a lightweight carbon fiber tripod, a remote release, and cleaning supplies.Feedback
Landscape photographers almost always have the advantage of returning to a particular location at different times of the day (or night), and sometimes at varying seasons in order to capture a particular scene under different lighting or weather conditions. Landscapes don't move - time of day, natural elements and seasons change the way they look and how they photograph. However, since you can't control either the weather or elements, there is often a bit of luck and patience involved as well as detailed planning ahead, in order to capture a particular photo as you envision it. Most landscapes are best captured during the "golden hours", either early morning or late afternoon. Monument Valley is wonderful photographed at any time of the day, but early morning almost always offers a colorful sunrise, and afternoons will allow you to capture that warm glow as the sun reflects off the buttes and rock monuments.