Sand Dunes and Clouds: I like this one in B&W because of patterns and contrast. All comments are welcome and reworks. One question, the sand was littered with animal prints. In some...

charryl Loc: New Mexico, USA

I like this one in B&W because of patterns and contrast. All comments are welcome and reworks. One question, the sand was littered with animal prints. In some ways I like this and in others I wonder if a little PP would help.

Heirloom Tomato Loc: Oregon

This is serene and wonderful. I would leave the prints, as they show there is life in the dunes. The composition and contrasts are so good in this. The clouds make it look as though this place is vast and goes on forever. Excellent b&w.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

charryl wrote:

I like this one in B&W because of patterns and contrast. All comments are welcome and reworks. One question, the sand was littered with animal prints. In some ways I like this and in others I wonder if a little PP would help.

Maybe if you reduced it to one set of prints disappearing over the top of a dune.

Without any prints it's just another dune shot (a very GOOD one, but your prints make it unique).

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

I actually see two sets of contiguous animal tracks that should stay in. On the other hand, there are a lot of rocks, or debris on the surface of the sand that could go, as well as a fairly sharp line rising from mid-left-bottom to the top of the dune which is a major distraction, mainly because it's man-made. However, in all this, please be sure the edits keep that wavy pattern in the sand (so clones would have to be pretty selective, and exactly match the pattern lines surrounding them).

And when you get done, try placing one of those off-center light sources we've discussed elsewhere.

BTW, masterful job of converting this to B&W. You've done a great job on contrasting the various grey-tones so they look realistic and artistic at the same time.

Heirloom Tomato Loc: Oregon

Bob Yankle wrote:

I actually see two sets of contiguous animal track... (show quote)

Excellent editing comments about the debris and the sharp line.

Macromad Loc: New Zealand

I like the photo the way it is.
If I was to do anything, I would try darkening the sky a little to create a little more contrast in the picture. The trails of animal prints I personally would leave as proof of life.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

charryl wrote:

I like this one in B&W because of patterns and contrast. All comments are welcome and reworks. One question, the sand was littered with animal prints. In some ways I like this and in others I wonder if a little PP would help.

I like the photo a lot, with the undulating lines of the dunes moving from left to right, rising along the way. The line of cloud almost echoes the rising dune line but not quite. it turns out to be kind of kitty-cornered rule of thirds and to me, it works for composition. If I were to start cropping I'd only take a bit from the top where there's less going on, and maybe add a little clarity to the small well defined cloud near the top and the bigger arrow shaped one.

The animal tracks are great, but the long line is a bit of a distraction (unless its the track of a dinosaur's tail).

It's really beautiful. Where is it? Looks a bit like Death Valley.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

charryl wrote:

I like this one in B&W because of patterns and contrast. All comments are welcome and reworks. One question, the sand was littered with animal prints. In some ways I like this and in others I wonder if a little PP would help.

Namibia?DeathValley?Sahara? Negev?

A strong image projecting the power of moving air, as dunes do, to reform the Earth's surface. the tonal range and spectrum are downright "Adams-ish" in testimony to excellent monochrome conversion with great attention to utilzation of the sensor's full DR...and skillfull PP. The dune's sand surface and texture are beautifully rendered, the uniformly fine wind-ripples violated only by a few small animal tracks and an inexplicable narrow "rip" or scratch running from the near dune's crest to the left foreground. That "scratch", to my eye, is the single distraction and ought be skillfully removed/cloned out.
Two lines play roles. The cloud margins form a strong diagonal, which is counterposed to a gentle, from the left... slightly downward..then upward, and a final slight downward re-curve of the dunes' horizon. That gentle "S" curve would greatly please Hogarth!
Withall: impact, composition, and technique, this image should deserve consideration for a ribbon in most shows.

Dave in SD

2 Dog Don Loc: Virginia Beach VA

This is a very interesting image. Lots to like about it. I think the animal prints add interest as they make the viewer take a closer look to see what they are. I would not change a thing.

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

Dramatic and beautiful, well done. :thumbup:

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Reminds me of Bogart in Sahara!

Emm5

charryl wrote:

I like this one in B&W because of patterns and contrast. All comments are welcome and reworks. One question, the sand was littered with animal prints. In some ways I like this and in others I wonder if a little PP would help.

Really like this picture . Like the black and white and how the clouds and land split the picture in half diagonally . Nice composition I personally think the animal prints make it look very natural.

jam Loc: Beaufort, NC

Very nice

RichieC Loc: Adirondacks

Take them out in one version and leave them in in another. Take all out but one or two in a third. Offer all three as prints for sale. No need to go all or nothing. You can keep all three versions!

It is a darn good image, with an interesting horizon, great detail, and great eye movement.

You'll have three winners!

Mmart0418 Loc: Orting, Washington

charryl wrote:

I like this one in B&W because of patterns and contrast. All comments are welcome and reworks. One question, the sand was littered with animal prints. In some ways I like this and in others I wonder if a little PP would help.

I like them in the photo. It gives the photo more of a story to me.