Mud Balls

Really nice work Paul. I like the crisp detail and composition. The balls are a unique focal point for the dry land. I would consider cloning out the dry grass if it can be done effectively and of course if you don't have an aversion to cloning. I like this.

Superb in every way, Paul! Elegant composition and stunning textures. Very good eye on this one.

Top notch, Paul. Great composition and processing. I like how the cracks seem to radiate from those rocks.

This is great Paul. I really like it. Agree with the dry grass suggestion, but no deal breaker.

I don't know ... needs more cowbell

Great shot Paul!
I'm 50/50 on the vignette.

wow!!

what a great abstract Paul

nicely done

Hamed

This rocks! Gotta love those patterns and that rich red color. Nicely done.

Thanks guys, the grass is now gone in the original.

Matt, what about 60/40? =)

Great color and texture. The mud balls add a nice element to this. Well done.

Its funny. Before reading your description, I was thinking to myself, "Damn. Paul had a ridiculously productive trip out West!" Lots of cool abstracts and detail shots. I'm sure the change of scenery had an important role in that, no doubt.

Fresh eyes in a new environment is always good for creativity, but it also seems to boost production once you get back home. It helps to bring back new ideas to the familiar places that can end up going stale after a while.

I like the mud balls; They're cool, but am more fascinated by the fractal nature of the cracks. I like how they start out big, then fracture down into progressively smaller and smaller patterns. Very interesting stuff.

Beautiful, Paul. Love the patterns; your composition is exquisite. Superb work.

This is a wonderful shot Paul, absolutely love the texture and repeating patterns of broken soil here.. well composed with the off center rocks. No nits from me, thanks for sharing!
-Daman

Sweet image, Paul. Escalante is beautiful.

- Dan

Very nice Paul, you definitely came away with some very unique images. Love the processing and comp. Nice work.

Cool! Since youve already nixed the grass i have no nits! Now we just have to get you into a nice 100 inch snow base with some sub-zero temperatures--just think of the great shots you'll get then!

Wow, just love those patterns, great, great shot.

The cracks make amazing patterns as they radiate outward. I also like the circular pattern of the overall composition. Great work Paul!

This is very nice, Paul. I love the 'directly looking down perspective' and also the placement of the mud balls amidst the rest of the patterns in the cracked ground. I think the grass is a nice element because it re-enforces the found element of this scene.

I cannot understand why folks here on NPN are so eager to clean up naturally found scenes to the point where they actually begin to look artificial (setup). Anyway, I really hope that you'll resist the temptation of following the herd.

Feels a smidgen over sharpened but I dig the whole graphic feel this has.

Thats a really cool shot there Paul !! good eye in spotting that one, your composition works well on this one, the tones and textures are awesome

The best picture of mud balls I have ever seen. Seriously though, very nicely done all around. I wonder what made them form like this?

Another awesome shot, Paul. I love how there are cracks coming out of cracks coming out of cracks. I wonder if a full res version would show even smaller cracks that we can't see here? Beautiful shot.

Tells quite a story doesn't it. Lovely image Paul. By far my favorite of yours this year.
Has all the right elements here and a large print would be gorgeous. I too can see the vign. dropped a bit but if you like it than hey.

Great job

This is excellent work Paul. You definately had a very productive trip. The detail, color and comp are impeccable!

I've seen a lot of cracked earth images, but none finer than this, Paul!

Marvelous comp and color. The soft light allows a ton of detail as well. The lines and forms just add icing to this one. Great job.

Beautiful work Paul ...well conceived and the end result too is stunning ...well done ..

Balan Vinod

Sweet, Paul. Makes me want to get out more.

Love the detail and the comp here, good eye to see it. Don't we have the best crack here in the Southwest?

i like it as well - the colours, textures and forms are great. i'd have removed the bit of grass!

Excellent...Most likely my favorite abstract so far. I would clone out that small blade of grass.

-Jay

Wow, definitely productive. This is really awesome. I might have done something about that small grass? in the lower right, but really its so minor someone would have to be looking for something to complain about.

Sorry, didn't see that the blade of grass comment had been beaten to death. Great stuff none-the-less.

Really stunning texture.I love the composition here......a really fantastic abstract. Thanks for sharing

Wonderfull composition!
Congrats:istván

Thanks everyone. Out camping but have signal for the iPhone.

This is just awesome, Paul. Can't think of any way to improve this.

I think this is my favorite from all your abstracts from the desert Paul. Love the form, and the almost radial lines of the mud. The balls blend well with the curved edges and contrast well with the sharp. Nicely seen and a wonderful capture.

David M. Cobb

The color, detail, and texture are all fantastic Paul. Well seen!

Very simple, yet Superb. Awesome shot.

Stunning abstract Paul. The texture of that mud and the way in which it is cracking up is great. Only a photographer would take this kind of picture, others would just walk on by! Nice!

Nice find and beautifully captured! Love the contrast in texture and shapes between the dirt clods and cracks. Great stuff!

Nice find and beautifully captured! Love the contrast in texture and shapes between the dirt clods and cracks. Great stuff!

I like this one a lot. Great details and contrast.

Paul,

I like the patterns here and the placement of the mud balls. Those deep crakcs are fascinating.

Very nice Paul!