Petroglyphs

Cornflake · December 9, 2012

This is a spot I photographed almost a year ago but I was back recently. They're a very low-contrast subject. Criticism would be welcome.

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Don

pathfinder · December 9, 2012

I love finding and exploring for petroglyphs too. These are quite interesting.

Unfortunately, rock etchings are frequently faded or coated in dust, and sometimes the lighting is flat and dull and less than thrilling, as well.

Sometimes some off camera flash as strong side lighting can add a bit of pop, and sometimes one can use a hand held reflector to brighten up the surface contrast of the glyphs as well. A polarizing filter can be helpful for glare at times also. If they are in the direct sunlight, a scrim of nylon can be used to diffuse the light just like for portraits.

Sometimes gathering the local setting that the glyphs are in can help give a better sense of place in the landscape too, or just a bit of shrubbery for some contrasting color

Sometimes you need some work in Photoshop to help the images remain visually interesting too, like punching the contrast or the color. I have no hesitation about removing bullet holes in the rock that were added by drunken cowboys far later than the aboriginal art work I think images of petrglyphs should match the photographers visualization, unless one is shooting as a collector of fact for anthropologic studies.

The best book of petroglyph images has to be David Muench's "Images in Stone"

I think one needs to think about seeing petroglyphs at night in the dark by firelight, intoxicated by peyote or mushrooms, with a shaman dancing about to really feel some of the rock carvings aura.

Cornflake · December 10, 2012

Thanks for the comments and suggestions, pathfinder.

Earache · December 10, 2012

pathfinder wrote: »

.....I think one needs to think about seeing petroglyphs at night in the dark by firelight, intoxicated by peyote or mushrooms, with a shaman dancing about to really feel some of the rock carvings aura.

That would make for a very interesting Photo Workshop.....:oogle

Cornflake wrote: »

This is a spot I photographed almost a year ago but I was back recently. They're a very low-contrast subject. Criticism would be welcome.

Nothing to criticize here Don - nice documents with even lighting and exposures.

bristlecone · December 10, 2012

These are all nice Don. I think you did a good job with your placement of the surrounding rock and the color is good. Love that first one.

Cornflake · December 10, 2012

Thanks very much, Earache and Len.

Petroglyphs

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