This image was made between the ghost town of Cisco and Moab, UT along the scenic byway. We have traveled this road many times, and each time it provides us with something unique. My first time near this location I was riding my bike and stopped to take a break when a woman, who came out of no where, began to tell us a story of how years ago she was attacked by a man wielding a hatchet. After telling us the story, she showed us the scar and wondered off into the desert. Sure, I was tired after a long bike ride, but the experience was so bizarre that I often wonder if I met a ghost? This year, while driving past here, I was on the lookout for the ghost of the ‘Hatchet Lady’. My wife spotted this abandoned gas pump and suggested we pull over to make some images. The coast was clear and I bracketed a few compositions. The image is a bit soft, but I was rushing to get out of there in case ‘my friend’ decided to show up.
Capture Notes:
Nikon D300
Nikkor 17-35 AFS
Nikon CPLII
Gitzo Traveler
Aperture:f/4.0
Focal Length:26 mm
ISO Speed:200
Processing Notes:
Capture (9 images @ 1ev)
NX2 Raw Conversion
Photomatix – HDR/Tonemapping
Noiseware – noise reduction (landscape preset)
Nik Color Efex Pro – ProContrast
Nik Color Efex Pro -Tonal Contrast (selective to pump)
Nik Color Efex Pro – Vignette selective to the bottom and right
Sized for web
Nik Sharpener 2.0 – Display 40% selective to pump
LightAsMagic.com
Songs For Post Processing: Here is June’s recommended songs for post processing. This month I decided to pay tribute to one of Denver CO’s greatest bands, Sixteen Horsepower! Growing up they were more myth than reality. Before I was old enough to see them at a bar, I would sit outside the clubs hoping to catch a listen.They are storied band, with a long history, and these songs will never do them justice. You will at least get a taste of the Denver music scene, but to truly understand the genius of Sixteen Horsepower, you need to see them live. I intended the play-list to be 16 songs long, however iTunes only accepted 9 of my suggestions.
(Just click the image below to load the suggested playlist into iTunes).
I love the fluidity in the hills and how it is echoed in the reflections in the shiny face of the pump. Glad you survived to repeat your ghost tale! ;-)
Thanks much Julie! You have a great eye for detail. Yep, I survived. I don’t think there was any question about that, the hatchet lady seemed nice enough.
Love the metal shine on the gas pump. Great processing also gives me that creepy feeling. Nice job.
Jeff
Thanks again Jeff! It is always great to read about what others see. I really appreciate it.
Have a great weekend,
Justin