Mountainscapes from Urubamba Valley

This is an eye-catching picture - one which combines classical artistic principles and something new and unusual, even strange. There is an almost surrealistic feel to it created by its contrasts.

I'll start with the colors since the first thing that I notice is the deafened, pastel tones, which nevertheless follow a rather classical golden-blue scheme. They define the atmosphere in the scene which suits my vision of a desert-like landscape. The contrast is a bit high, especially in the foreground, but given the dull colors this is actually a good decision. The sharp difference in tone values restores the depth and strength of the picture which otherwise might be lost with the loss of saturation.
The composition is another rather classical element. It is divided in three distinctive zones which, I believe, roughly coincide with the golden section resulting in a pleasant overall look. The foreground and the mountain tops and clouds are rich in contrasting details, while the middle part of the picture looks rather monotonous. However, it serves to show the magnificence of this tall and steep mountain. Another element with a similar effect is the road, along with its classical function to "guide the eye" through the scenery. The road is what actually makes this composition so effective.

Finally I'll mention the details in the uppermost part of the picture since I can spot some HDR and/or filter in effect here. The higher dynamic range provides plenty of details in the clouds and also makes the snowy cliffs stand out very well. Judging by the lower parts of the mountains, otherwise the dramatic ridges would have blended into haze. Instead, they have turned into a powerful accent.

I admit when I was younger I couldn't imagine that a desert can be beautiful. This land, captured in a very skillful way, only proves how much I was wrong.