McDowell Mountain Sunrise [69365 Nature & Landscapes ]
Uploaded: March 09, 2011 09:51:14
This morning's sunrise, 4-shot HDR merge, then standard Curves/Levels/Sat/Sharpen, etc. No filters. The long sunrays are due to the narrow aperture and longer exposure time. I waited for months for the sun to rise at this spot, and when it did, I had about 20 seconds to fire off the four exposures... after that it was too high and too bright!
16-35mm @24mm, f/14, ISO 100.
Susan Weisensel March 09, 2011
Gorgeous sunrise Paul. #1359398
Nikki McDonald
March 09, 2011
Liz blahh March 09, 2011
Beautifully captured! Love the Cholla when the sunlight hits it. #9282124
Carolyn M. Fletcher
March 09, 2011
Paul D. March 09, 2011
Thanks all, glad you like it. I was concerned that the sun was too near the center of the frame, but I couldn't pan any farther right because the terrain wasn't very pretty, too bare and rocky. So I just went for it as is. #9282294
Ruth Robbins
March 09, 2011
Paul D. March 09, 2011
Thanks Ruth, and thank you for urging me to post this shot. BTW, I took an iPhone shot of the setup while waiting for the sun to rise, which is did about 2 minutes later, lol! #9282351
Ruth Robbins
March 09, 2011
John E. Steinway March 09, 2011
Terrific image Paul. #9282462
Ruth Robbins
March 10, 2011
Mike R. Howe March 10, 2011
Beautiful work,Paul...Well done!!! #9284551Robert R. Goodman March 16, 2011
Hi Paul.Beautiful HDR of the McDowell.It been awhile since I've been out by the fort.Great capture indeed!!! #9293831
Ken Smith
March 16, 2011
Paul D. March 16, 2011
MY gallery has great shots? Are you kidding me ken? I just went through all 13 pages, the images you have on there are unreal, your gallery could be an entire photo course, lol! I was amazed how many images were familiar to me, and then I realized how many were POTDs... I think I lost count somewhere around 15. Man, you never stop shooting, THAT'S an inspiration right there. My camera spends way too much time in the case, need to fix that.Enjoy Sedona! Sun rises about 6:45am, be ready! ;-) #9295144
Wendy Stevenson April 11, 2011
Gorgeous! Love the rim lighting and shapes of those cacti! Beautiful capture! #9344878Katarina Mansson April 11, 2011
Stunning capture - congratulations on your POTD! #9344894Bill Houghton April 11, 2011
Paul, this is an outstanding shot. Congratulations. #9344927
Chris Budny
April 11, 2011
Shawn Jennings April 11, 2011
Fantastic work, Paul! Congratulations on your POTD! #9344954
Nikki McDonald
April 11, 2011
Graeme yew Chow April 11, 2011
What a shot ? and truly deserved to get the POTD and the winner next time. Congrats! #9344990Sue L. Cullumber April 11, 2011
Hi Paul - beautiful. Congrats on you POTD! I'm really familiar with this area, as I hike there all the time - nice capture. #9344997Debra Booth April 11, 2011
Gorgeous! Congrats on your POTD! #9345028Bunny Snow April 11, 2011
The whole image is amazing, but the lighting and backlighting cinches the deal.If this were after sunrise, the impact would be disappointing. And, if it were later in the day, it would be nothing to write home about. But, you captured it at the perfect time, using all the skills you've mastered both prior to snapping the shutter and again in DD. Thanks for the reminder of when this was captured and to use the closed down aperture for the rays of light.
Both your work and skills shine here, Paul. Beautifully captured and processed. This is so well done!!! Congratulations on your POTD!!!!
#9345036
Symona R. Wood April 11, 2011
WOw!!! Congrats!! I'd love to have this on my wall!!!! #9345039Carolyn M. DAlessandro April 11, 2011
Good morning Paul!Gary Sagnor April 11, 2011
Wonderful capture Paul! It was nice to look at this morning on BP's POTD! Caught at the perfect time of day...I love how you planned this and put some thought into it, love the sunburst too!Linda L. Ruiz April 11, 2011
CONGRATS ON YOU POTD! It was so worth the planning and wait. fantastic #9345060Karen Celella April 11, 2011
Congratulations on your exceptional POTD, Paul. You captured many aspects of the perfect light all in one shot. The wonderful f/22 star burst, gorgeous rim light and a beautiful landscape. This is a winner! #9345068
Eric Highfield
April 11, 2011
Richard M. Waas April 11, 2011
A well deserved POTD!!! Congrats....... #9345136
Michael Kelly
April 11, 2011
Ruth Robbins
April 11, 2011
Karen E. Baumann April 11, 2011
I concur with so many lessons to learn and to put to use. You were there because you knew you wanted to be and you were prepared and now you are reaping the rewards. This is a stunner!!!! Congratulations on your POTD Paul! #9345164
Susan Jane Allen
April 11, 2011
Pamela Koch April 11, 2011
A beautiful sunrise photo. Congratulations on a well deserved POTD! #9345180
Kathleen K. Parker
April 11, 2011
nicole shockley April 11, 2011
Amazing... well worthe the wait. I hope you have this framed somewhere in your house. One of the best shots I have seen yet!!! #9345265Anne McKinnell April 11, 2011
Gorgeous image Paul, congratulations on your stunning POTD! #9345289
Erica Murphy
April 11, 2011
Phillip A. Flusche April 11, 2011
Outstanding capture. Congratulations. I love this one. #9345325Janice M. Borodezt April 11, 2011
Paul:Absolutely gorgeous. You did good. #9345334
Stan Kwasniowski April 11, 2011
Paul, congratulations, both on your reward and your patience to get this image #9345342
Craig W. Myers
April 11, 2011
Paul D. April 11, 2011
What an absolute surprise and blessing to wake up to! Thank you ALL, and while I can't reply individually (I can't type that fast, lol), I have read every comment and it is MUCH appreciated. Call me a nut, but I asked the Lord to show me His glory that morning and that scene appeared, it was humbling. And I'm thankful to report that I did NOT run across any rattlers walking to and from that location. ;-) #9345358roxanne F. clabeaux-michalak April 11, 2011
This is absolutely gorgeous - just perfect. Congratulations on a well-deserved photo of the day! #9345389Joy Rector April 11, 2011
congrats on the POTD #9345499Maria Coulson April 11, 2011
Paul, this is beautiful! Congratulations. #9345559Rona L. Schwarz April 11, 2011
WOW! This is a super spectacular image, Paul!! Everything about it is glorious - the lighting of course is unbelievable, particularly on the front cactus, the starburst of the sun's rays, the landscape colors and wonderful textures - I could go on and on. Now I must go visit your gallery. Congratulations on a truly wonderful POTD! A Winner for sure! #9345616Richard D. Love April 11, 2011
Congratulations, Paul. Truly a beautiful HDR image. The wait was well worth it.Rick #9345772
Daniella Puente April 11, 2011
This is a wonderful image! the light is perfect, congrats! #9345853
Cindy Bendush
April 11, 2011
Deborah Lewinson
April 11, 2011
Debby #9345915
Ken Smith
April 11, 2011
Paul D. April 11, 2011
Roxanne Joy Maria Rona Richard Daniella Cindy Deborah, I really appreciaste your kind words, thanks!Ken, how about that, you and I took shots in the same month, same state only about 90 minutes apart in distance and they become POTDs in the same week. How neat! I'm still amazed. #9346086
Paul D. April 11, 2011
Oh, and I should have also said same subject matter and same camera, lol! #9346088
Denny E. Barnes
April 11, 2011
Donna La Mattino Pagakis April 12, 2011
Beautiful scenery, glorious lighting and image. Congratulations on your POTD Paul!! #9346236Gary Lange April 12, 2011
Terrific image, well timed and nice light! Great HDR work. #9346715
Jeff Robinson
April 12, 2011
Paul D. April 12, 2011
D, D, G & J: Thanks!! #9347584Paul D. April 18, 2011
BTW, I doubt they'll see this comment, but I want to thank the BP staff for picking this one for a POTD, it's VERY much appreciated. #9357843
Ken Smith
April 26, 2011
Ruth Robbins
April 26, 2011
Paul D. April 26, 2011
LOL! Ruth & Ken, my two cheerleaders... You saw this before I did! ;-) #9371382Rona L. Schwarz April 26, 2011
On to Gold, Paul! Super Congrats on this marvelous capture and good luck in the next round! #9371528Paul D. April 26, 2011
Thanks Rona! We'll see about the gold, there are a bunch of great images this month in the Nature & Landscape category... but I appreciate your comments! #9371909Renee Doyle April 27, 2011
I'm thinking Gold for sure!! Congratulations Paul! #9371937Karen Celella April 27, 2011
Congratulations on your wonderful finalist, Paul! #9373003Shawn Jennings April 27, 2011
Congratulations on this fantastic finalist, Paul! #9373461Susan Weisensel April 27, 2011
Congrats Paul. #9373466Paul D. April 27, 2011
Thank you all! The response is overwhelming, I don't know what to say... funny, I had asked a friend (Ruth, her comments above) if I should post this image. I'm glad she said yes! Thanks again. #9373659
Diane E. Deming
April 27, 2011
Bojan Bencic
April 27, 2011
Katarina Mansson April 27, 2011
Congratulations on your outstanding winner Paul! The light and POV are exceptional, tones and comp excellent - all beautiful. #9375630Mary K. Robison April 27, 2011
All your patience paid off, Paul ~Graeme yew Chow April 28, 2011
Hi Paul. I really like your image and especially with the HDR , you did it incredibly. Congratulations and thanks for your wonderful comments.Renee Doyle April 28, 2011
Knew it :-) Big congrats on this most deserving win Paul!! #9375825Ellen Hodges April 28, 2011
Huge congrats on this stunning winner!! #9376003
Chris Budny
April 28, 2011
Ken Smith
April 28, 2011
nicole shockley April 28, 2011
Congrats on the WIN!! I knew it would go all the way, its to amazing not too! You give us all inspiration! :) #9376515
Linda D. Lester
April 28, 2011
Terry Cervi
April 28, 2011
Ruth Robbins
April 28, 2011
Usman M. Bajwa
April 28, 2011
UB. #9376748
Nancyj E. Hovey
April 28, 2011
Debra R. Harder April 28, 2011
This is incredibly BEAUTIFUL, Paul! I saw this superb image in the Outdoor Photography magazine contest and I knew it would win something here. Huge congratulations on your OUTSTANDING FIRST PLACE WIN!! Deb #9376861Bill Houghton April 28, 2011
Paul, congratulations on your beautiful win. Have a great day, BillIf you have time, check out my website:
Bill Houghton Photography
#9377095
Jeana Clark April 28, 2011
~J~ #9377256
Irene Colling
April 28, 2011
Congratulations Paul. #9377303
Paul D. April 28, 2011
Thank you EVERYONE. This is my first gold (and POTD) so I'm definitely not used to all the amazing responses, but again I do read every one and am very grateful! (to the BP Judges as well) #9377311Paul D. April 28, 2011
Ruth, thank you for urging me to post this (I emailed her last month and asked if it was too boring before posting... her reply was "Paulie! Enter that!", lol)Phyllis H. Burchett April 28, 2011
Congrats on this fantastic first place winner Paul! #9377422Karen Celella April 28, 2011
Congratulations on your amazing first place winner, Paul! #9377488Rodrigo Barsallo April 28, 2011
The waiting was very well rewarded. 20 seconds !!. Great, congratulations. #9377938Merna L. Nobile April 28, 2011
Take photo, SleepPaul D. April 28, 2011
Thanks all! (Merna, you crack me up... lol!) #9378259Rolando Rosito April 28, 2011
Very deserving winner Paul, congratulations!! #9378636Rona L. Schwarz April 28, 2011
No surprise here at all, Paul - a most deserving First Place Winner, for sure! HUGE CONGRATULATIONS ON A SENSATIONAL, STUNNING IMAGE! #9378659
Joannie Bertucci
April 28, 2011
Lisa J. Boulden
April 29, 2011
Shawn Jennings April 29, 2011
Congratulations on your win, Paul! #9380467Patti Coblentz April 29, 2011
Amazing light, tones, and dof, Paul...congratulations on all fronts...this is a spectacular image! WTG! #9380536Paul D. April 29, 2011
Thank you, Rolando through Patricia, all of these comments mean a LOT, seriously. Planning for and going after this image was a neat project! I'm most thankful to our Creator, for He made the conditions just right that morning (and gives us all of our abilities)... my job was to just show up and capture it. #9380595
Emile Abbott
April 30, 2011
Martha R. Mazon
May 10, 2011
David M. Montero May 11, 2011
Terrific capture and lighting Paul. Congratulations on your first place selection. #9399955Lori Carlson May 12, 2011
Congrats on all your recognition with this beauty, Paul!!Summer A. Kozisek May 16, 2011
Fantastic image Paul with wonderfully natural HDR work. Well worth the wait!!! Congrats on your recent POTD as well! #9407574
Val Feldman
May 20, 2011
Paul D. May 20, 2011
Thank you everyone, the comments and been BEYOND kind! Val, congrats, you were the first one to notice PP, lol. I have to see if it's in the store yet! It's still hard to drink in the attention on this image, it is SO appreciated. #9417861Paul D. May 23, 2011
I do have to clarify one thing: I was wrong in my description here and in the text I sent to Popular Photography: this was a SIX-shot HDR merge, not four like I stated here and eight like I stated in Pop Photo.I seriously need more sleep, lol. #9424951
Paul R. Nelson June 27, 2011
Paul, I would like to join the others in congratulating you on the success you've had with this image and the well-deserved accolades; your vision, preparation and persistance paid off.I would also like to applaud you in giving credit to God for this beautiful image of His Creation and to thank you for sharing your prayer request that morning. His answers can sometimes lead to unexpected Blessings. #9490920
Ann Varley
September 14, 2011
I stumbled on your amazing collection of images when visiting your Snow Bird view tonight, my old winter stomping ground.
Amazing work ... congratulations! #9672031
Laura E. Swan
January 25, 2012
There is a special touch of magic in this image. The viewer can feel it immediately. The light is inspiring and clean. The star-burst is perfect like God himself...and he lit up his desert creation just for you and allowed you to share it with the rest of us!
How lucky is anyone who has the chance to see this? I count myself in!
-Laura Swan
#9943483
Paul D. May 02, 2016
Can't believe 5 years has passed since I took this, lol. #11469533Paul R. Nelson May 02, 2016
And God is still Good! #11469562
Ruth Robbins
May 02, 2016
Paul D. May 02, 2016
Paul Nelson, AMEN, you can say THAT again!RUTH!! I know, I know, WAYYYYY too long since we yakked, so glad you popped on, I didn't even think about notification emails, lol. AWESOME on getting a pick, which photo was it?? DUH, I can go look... ;-) #11469657
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