The Moon and Venus over Western Hills

[James Clark]

Last spring I was trying to get some sunrise shots at the ABQ Balloon Festival.   I wasn't aware that showing up at 430 am (after a 45 minute drive from Santa Fe) would be way too late to get parking, so I turned around and headed back home.  I saw this as the sun was coming up to my east just as I made it back to the outskirts of Santa Fe.  I'm not sure it conveys in this image (I think it does, but I'm not an objective judge), but the moon and Venus rising over the empty high desert really gave weight to the vast negative space, and the hint of color in the not-quite sunrise behind the not-quite mountains really provided a sense of place. 

[Paulo Bizarro]

I like it. It is not a photo for "immediate" appreciation, as it requires some eye wandering.

[Telecaster]

I like it too. Conveys very well what this part of the country is like.

I've been to the balloon festival once, in 1993. It was at the end of a long road trip through New Mexico & Arizona, and I was too burnt (literally as well as figuratively) to properly appreciate it.

-Dave-

[Rajan Parrikar]

Beautiful image. It conveys the mood of the desert dawn.

[francois]

Great shot. I agree with Paulo, it takes time to appreciate this image and that's good!

[stamper]

I like the image. If it had been mine I would have scaled it upwards in PS so that you can see more of what is on the horizon and cropped a little at the top. My opinion of course and I can see why the others like it as it is.

[uppy6101]

Really like this, the minimalistic approach works well


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[James Clark]

Thanks everyone - I appreciate the kind words as always, but even moreso when the image is a bit harder to appreciate, as Paolo noted.

[Sean H]

Agree with Paolo and Francois. I found the photo conveyed a relaxed feeling that comes with trying to be awake at that hour! I hope that you get another chance to be at the balloon festival.

Great shot. I agree with Paulo, it takes time to appreciate this image and that's good!

[Arlen]

Very nice. And it's a good thing you titled as you did--it stimulates one to keep looking for what is not readily apparent.

(Maybe I'll try that approach sometime with one of mine, where there's really nothing else there.  )