Meeting of the Pueblo Walls

On March 8, 2024, in Arizona, by admin
Wutapki Pueblo Wall Detail (click image to enlarge)

Nikon D810, 79mm, ISAO 200, 1/100 sec, f/11

This image shows the corner of a room within the remains of Wutapki pueblo. The triangular pattern of stone on each side and shadowed openings in the lower half of the image look like mirror images of each other.

I found it interesting that opening on the right side is shaded on the right half, while the opening on the left is shadowed on the left half. This is exactly how it would appear in a mirror. I have this image earmarked for potential use as a texture layer in some future project

Wupatki National Monument: 35.521093° -111.372855°

Wutapki Pueblo Wall Detail (click image to enlarge)

Nikon D810, 32mm, ISO 200, 1/10 sec, f/11

One thing I noticed during my quick walk around Wupatki pueblo were the patterns formed by the Moenkopi sandstone bricks used to construct the pueblo. In this image I was struck by the large boulder in the upper right, and the few white bricks. I could not tell if that boulder was a natural element they built the pueblo around or if it was placed there on purpose. There are not many rocks like this one in the area.

During processing I converted the image to black, white, and gray, and maxed out Texture and Clarity to emphasize brick edges and texture of the mortar between bricks. Initially, I thought that was too much Texture and Clarity. Overtime the look grew on me and here you have it.

Wupatki National Monument: 35.521093° -111.372855°


Wupatki Pueblo, Flagstaff AZ (click image to enlarge)

Nikon D810, 48mm, ISO 200, 1/80 sec. f/11

Wupatki Pueblo is composed of Moenkopi sandstone blocks that give the structure a distinct red color. Close up images of the pueblo are pretty dull with much of the detail lost in the red coloring. When color does not add to an image, eliminate it!

Converting this image to black, white, and gray accentuates the angles and patterns within the pueblo walls. Fortunately, there were clouds in the sky to fill in what would be dead space above the pueblo. The smooth area in the center-right area of the image creates three repeating triangular patterns within the bricks. The repeating pattern keeps the eye wandering making for a strong composition.

Wupatki Pueblo: 35.520985° -111.372741°

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