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Spot-lit sand falls
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Spot-lit sand falls

by Chikku Baiju

Gallery: LandscapePosted March 8, 2010406 views23 comments
Took me quite some running back and forth of throwing sand and taking the pic before the sand ran out. But in the end it was worth it. The colors in the orig wasn't as good as i wanted it to be, so I tried a B&W version. All comments and critiques are welcomed.

Taken last September.
Canon 5D
f/8 at 8sec
ISO 50

Comments

23 comments
Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on March 8, 2010 at 10:32 PM
This is very cool, Chikku. The sand looks almost water-like and the contrast of B&W sets everything off. Next time call me to help, OK?
Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments
Comment posted by Bret Edge on March 8, 2010 at 11:02 PM
This works very well in b&w! Love the light and the contrast. The sand does look like water. Unique photo.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 711 Posts, 6363 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Chambers on March 8, 2010 at 11:06 PM
This is beautiful, and works just great in B&W. The longer I look, the more I like it.
Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments
Comment posted by Angela McCain on March 8, 2010 at 11:08 PM
Stunning. Great idea, well executed.
Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments
Comment posted by Aaron Ellingsen on March 8, 2010 at 11:26 PM
This is a very classy and elegant image Chikku. Looks like some of the highlights in the sand are blown out? If there is detail left to be recovered, it would add a lot to the shot, since its such an integral part of the scene.
Registered on January 16, 2008, 56 Posts, 953 Comments
Comment posted by Balan Vinod on March 8, 2010 at 11:34 PM
This is beautiful chikku .....wonderful..

Balan Vinod
Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments
Comment posted by Jay Nielsen on March 9, 2010 at 12:03 AM
The deep contrast really sets of the flowing sand very nicely. I think the piece of dried brush adds very nicely as well. Very artisitc image!
Registered on October 6, 2008, 137 Posts, 720 Comments
Comment posted by David Cobb on March 9, 2010 at 12:28 AM
This is just wonderful Chikku, the flow of sand and the lighting balance the composition so well.

David M. Cobb
Registered on December 14, 2007, 312 Posts, 3243 Comments
Comment posted by Peter Barnes on March 9, 2010 at 12:55 AM
B+W= :toast: in this photo. Great light, but best of all, a great idea well executed. I echo Aaron's concern about a possible blow out of highlights in the brightest parts of the sand.
Registered on March 15, 2009, 11 Posts, 78 Comments
Comment posted by Cory O'Neill on March 9, 2010 at 1:15 AM
Fantastic conversion and visualization. Great work!
Registered on October 4, 2008, 28 Posts, 273 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Goldstein on March 9, 2010 at 1:18 AM
The stark contrast is a great touch to this scene. A very nice take on this often photographed location. The thumbnail had a great abstract look to it and the large version indeed looks like running water versus running sand. Kudos :toast:
Registered on March 18, 2006, 119 Posts, 878 Comments
Comment posted by Vance Gese on March 9, 2010 at 1:51 AM
Gorgeous Chikku. Your efforts really paid off in a superb image. The sand looks like a small waterfall. Love the tones you have used in your b/w processing.
Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments
Comment posted by Stuart Williams on March 9, 2010 at 4:41 AM
great concept ... and an assistant is warranted in such circumstances! the bright highlights maybe a little close to being blown :confused: but i love the movement of the sand that mimics water flow.
Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments
Comment posted by Matt Anderson on March 9, 2010 at 7:12 AM
Very original.
A nice compelling image.
Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments
Comment posted by Taylor Reed on March 9, 2010 at 9:41 AM
Terrific, I'd never have known this was sand
Registered on February 18, 2010, 26 Posts, 556 Comments
Comment posted by Morris McClung on March 9, 2010 at 10:24 AM
The highlights look blown to me, but the comp and waterfall effect is marvelous.
Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Metternich on March 9, 2010 at 11:55 AM
I like this a lot. :toast:

Although no significant areas are truly blown out to 255 (a few pixels here and there) there are areas really close, thus losing potential detail. I too think a reduction in luminance in the raw file to the upper levels would make this even better.

Mark
Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments
Comment posted by Luis Argerich on March 9, 2010 at 12:51 PM
Very intriguing, not often a landscape scares me but this scares the hell out of me, I imagine it would be really spooky if printed large. If that was your idea then it's a hit!
Registered on December 22, 2009, 91 Posts, 1349 Comments
Comment posted by Prashant Khapane on March 9, 2010 at 1:37 PM
really cool.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 492 Posts, 4580 Comments
Comment posted by Loulou Beavers on March 9, 2010 at 2:52 PM
Like yout thinking and determenation, lovely image!
Registered on June 21, 2008, 73 Posts, 205 Comments
Comment posted by István Molnár on March 11, 2010 at 2:22 PM
Wonderful image.
lstván :toast: :toast:
Registered on January 7, 2010, 114 Posts, 704 Comments
Comment posted by Matthew Hoffman on March 31, 2010 at 12:45 AM
The composition and contrast in this image is simply amazing. This is a very unique image.
Registered on March 22, 2010, 2 Posts, 4 Comments
Comment posted by Kent Johnson on April 7, 2010 at 3:33 PM
Love the balance and contrast. The dried brush with the sand running out seems like a statement of the future with global warming and misuse of water resources.
Registered on May 17, 2007, 3 Posts, 25 Comments