I processed this photo at both a white balance of 4000K and 6500K. This photo is cooler and displays a wider range of colors, but the other version is more dramatic. Even though the second version reminds me more of a firey sunset, I like the wider range of colors in this one better.
Site Note: Starting with this image I am now saving all of my images with the ICC profile embedded (still via ImageReady). This will not affect most of you, but as far as I know, only those of you viewing this site in Safari. Color profiles are a mess, especially on Macs. Mac/Firefox users shouldn't notice any difference, but if you are using a Mac I suggest viewing this site (and any photoblog, for that matter) in Safari as the colors will be better. For all those with PC's you can ignore this.
I also am working on saving (via ImageReady) with metadata (exif), but I haven't gotten it all ironed out yet. "Wait!", you say, "I thought you already had the exif data embedded in the images?" Well, not quite. I'll explain more about my slightly round-about method later.
categories: abstract desert nature sunrise/sunset
June 13th, 2005 at 2:10 AM
Colors are fantastic!! Good DOF. . .
Excellent photo, Ryan, I love it :)
June 13th, 2005 at 4:01 AM
great work with color and shadow.
June 13th, 2005 at 4:21 AM
Excellent colours!
June 13th, 2005 at 4:32 AM
Beautiful the gradient from black to light blue.... and the way the trees just dissapear into the darkness at the bottom. nice composition of the two trees as well. :D Superb colours...
June 13th, 2005 at 5:01 AM
Truly beautiful - evokes the burning bush story.
June 13th, 2005 at 6:29 AM
great dof, awesome gradient background
June 13th, 2005 at 8:26 AM
fantastic shot! i also prefer the one you posted. well done.
June 13th, 2005 at 8:35 AM
OK, stop it. You're killing me with these fantastic images of yours. I think I prefer the cooler version myself. It looks a bit otherworldly.
June 13th, 2005 at 9:00 AM
The wider range of colors are better... however the "firey sunset" does something for me... either way, I can't help but picture a "mirage" while looking at this photo. The second branch in the backround looks very similar to the first one so it almost looks like a blurred reflection giving it the mirage-ish look.
June 13th, 2005 at 9:17 AM
Beautiful, beautiful. I like the range of colors in this one as well. I always like my sunsets with some blue in them. I look forward to reading your Mac adventures as well.
June 13th, 2005 at 1:08 PM
Yea, as many have said so far, the colors are quite nice.
June 13th, 2005 at 2:18 PM
fabolous. in germany we call that the blue hour.....
June 13th, 2005 at 3:31 PM
Both versions are dramatic on slightly different levels, although I lean toward the blue version simply because of the contrasting colours, almost prismatic in their depth. Wonderful.
June 13th, 2005 at 9:21 PM
Great shots ryan, I like them both although the other version reminds me of masai mara sunsets and paintings....very relaxing.
June 13th, 2005 at 9:37 PM
Breathtaking. Wow.
June 13th, 2005 at 9:52 PM
The color graduation from blue to organge is really striking, and makes a great backdrop for the stark sharpness of the plant.
June 13th, 2005 at 9:59 PM
this is so awesome. Great processing and colors, but the original must have been great to start; i love the simple shape of the branch and its out-of focus neighbor.
June 14th, 2005 at 12:03 PM
Very beautiful colours -> great stuff!
June 14th, 2005 at 12:47 PM
Very nice photograph. I find it striking.
June 15th, 2005 at 10:55 AM
amazing colors! love the background blur on this - just stunning.
June 15th, 2005 at 2:40 PM
The most wonderful silhouette shot I've seen so far. Awesome. BTW I prefer this version to the warmer one.
June 16th, 2005 at 6:22 AM
Beautiful colours - very nice.
June 18th, 2005 at 9:57 AM
stunning color and use of focus. very nice.
June 20th, 2005 at 9:25 PM
Beautiful sunset. The colors really are amazing. I was in Hawaii last week, and was hoping for some of the best sunsets of my life (so i was told). I was very disappointed. I guess luck wasn't on my side & I came back with zero sunsets on the beautiful island.
June 21st, 2005 at 12:00 PM
I like the silhoutte. This is a very pleasing photo. The stack of rich colors one on top of the other makes this shot.