Sinuous Solstice

Gallery: LandscapePosted June 29, 20101,131 views40 comments

Just returned from a two week trip to California. I traveled 2,000+ miles and shot 50Gb's worth of photo's. (poor rental car, it use to run/ride quite nice in the first days) I would have to say the dunes of Death Valley might be the most amazing place I encountered. It was the longest day of the year. What better place to be! There was only one other photographer on the dunes this evening. I chose a spot furthest from the road. Even near twilight the temps were 110°F. This shot was taken minutes before the sun bid it's final adieu...

*Edit, forgot to mention. The winds were +25mph the damn bee's made the visit quite nerve racking.

Four 70mm images stitched
Shot on a RRS Omni Pano Pro for Nodal Alignment

Comments

40 comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on June 29, 2010 at 1:45 PM

This is really nice, Matt. My favorite from you in a long while. I'd have to say it was worth it! Those 110+ temps keep the mass of photographers at bay, which is the only small benefit this time of year. This is just captivating through and through. The light leads the eye through the swirls of sand front to back. Excellent stuff!

(hopefully there was cold beer involved afterward)

Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Anderson on June 29, 2010 at 1:48 PM

This is just plain sweet Matt! I love the warm lighting and the mystic background that is just abstract enough to separate it from the beautifully textured foreground giving a deep sense of depth. I'm surprised to see this was 4 stitched images! This is my favorite image of your recent posts.

Registered on January 31, 2006, 228 Posts, 3072 Comments

Comment posted by Ricardo La Piettra on June 29, 2010 at 1:50 PM

Fascinating image, just beautiful.

Registered on July 22, 2009, 62 Posts, 730 Comments

Comment posted by Anish Desai on June 29, 2010 at 1:52 PM

First of all, props to you for braving the dunes this time of year. I can't even fathom 110F at twilight. Composition, light and color are all spectacular here. Great use of contrast, and the blowing sand is icing.

Registered on May 23, 2009, 49 Posts, 410 Comments

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on June 29, 2010 at 1:56 PM

Splendid shot with outstanding composition and colors. Two awesome "Andersons" in a row.

Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on June 29, 2010 at 2:21 PM

Wow Matt, this is killer, probably one of my fav dune shots. The color and light are incredible, really like your processing on this. Well worth your efforts, congrats!!

Registered on June 30, 2008, 203 Posts, 2641 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Richins on June 29, 2010 at 2:34 PM

Outstanding. Such great contrasts here.

Registered on March 6, 2008, 113 Posts, 1009 Comments

Comment posted by Alexandre Deschaum on June 29, 2010 at 3:01 PM

Wonderfull

Registered on May 10, 2010, 29 Posts, 101 Comments

Comment posted by Luis Argerich on June 29, 2010 at 4:01 PM

Hi Matt,
This is excellent, the ripples are really sharp and the line that starts on the right creates a great path for the picture.
I admire how you created a foreground and a background out of the same thing!

Registered on December 22, 2009, 91 Posts, 1349 Comments

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on June 29, 2010 at 5:28 PM

this is a great indeed

i like it

well done

Registered on June 1, 2009, 372 Posts, 2282 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on June 29, 2010 at 6:27 PM

Amazing Matt, love it. Beautiful color and the shadow and light is spectacular. A new favorite for me! Great processing too.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, Wi

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Kyle L. Krause on June 29, 2010 at 6:35 PM

Matt,

Lovely light strong composition. I really like your processing on this Image. Great work!
Thanks for sharing.

Registered on June 15, 2010, 29 Posts, 605 Comments

Comment posted by Roman Kurywczak on June 29, 2010 at 6:39 PM

Hey Matt,
Killer light.....killer comp.....all off the charts! Outstanding!!!

Registered on November 20, 2009, 56 Posts, 748 Comments

Comment posted by Mitch Erwin on June 29, 2010 at 6:58 PM

Matt, this is real nice and my eye follows the light, swirls, and the gradients throughout. Real wonderful abstract! Might clone out the dark spot in the LLC

Registered on April 24, 2006, 98 Posts, 656 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on June 29, 2010 at 7:02 PM

Awesome shot. That puff of sand above the ridge is sweet!

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on June 29, 2010 at 7:15 PM

Outfreakinstanding. That light is NUTS. Goggles and mask? Cant imagine that heat. Yikes. Detail prob isnt too shabby here too

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on June 29, 2010 at 8:18 PM

Excellent!

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on June 29, 2010 at 9:08 PM

Incredible.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on June 29, 2010 at 9:27 PM

I may be biased, but i think this is one of the best shots ive seen from you. Just perfect.

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on June 29, 2010 at 9:38 PM

One of the best I've seen from there. Great composition.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on June 29, 2010 at 10:19 PM

Extraordinary image, Matt. Fantastic light and color. The comp is perfect!

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Jeff Hackett on June 29, 2010 at 10:29 PM

Amazing light and incredible comp! Well done!

Registered on March 13, 2006, 65 Posts, 1119 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on June 29, 2010 at 10:30 PM

The light here is so good! Beautiful dune shot, but I think I'll wait til' january to try for mine.

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on June 29, 2010 at 11:28 PM

Matt,

Outstanding! Fantastic dune image that has it all; sweet line, great lines, shapes, texture, etc. What is especially strong and important in this image is the strong and complete ridge line that leads the eye in and around in the frame. Simply gorgeous.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on June 30, 2010 at 12:56 AM

Fantastic composition Matt, you've filled the frame with such a variety of intriguing curves. Usually a compact dune intimate like this is hard to pull off without the top of the frame looking awkward - you pulled it off perfectly!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Ryan Dyar on June 30, 2010 at 1:05 AM

This is just awesome. Has to be one of the most beautiful sand0dune images I have ever seen. The light is just perfect and the foreground line leading back to an almost abstract looking background makes this incredibly interesting.

My only suggestion would be to clone out the small dark spot in bottom left of the frame... grabs my eye a little too much. Regardless, this is stunning scene.

Registered on November 8, 2008, 22 Posts, 129 Comments

Comment posted by Kent Mearig on June 30, 2010 at 1:39 AM

Wow, I guess I could suffer the temps for a result like this. Truly spectacular!

Registered on September 4, 2006, 237 Posts, 4748 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on June 30, 2010 at 2:35 AM

superb. everything singing here - or maybe buzzing should be the better word!

Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Zelinka on June 30, 2010 at 11:02 AM

Great, very dream-like.

Registered on August 20, 2007, 206 Posts, 998 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Ward on June 30, 2010 at 10:04 PM

Matt,
Just gorgeous! Sumptuous lines, tones, and color. The light really glows on the sand...

Registered on February 26, 2009, 304 Posts, 1365 Comments

Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on July 1, 2010 at 6:23 PM

Datta boy, see us boys from the midwest can shoot stuff eh?
Just love this Matt, gorgeous light show. Im soo glad you came away with some good stuff.
Can't wait to see some more stuff from your trip.

Registered on February 5, 2009, 199 Posts, 2775 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Schnepf on July 1, 2010 at 6:24 PM

Easily my favorite of yours. This is gorgeous!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2528 Comments

Comment posted by Benjamin Glatt on July 6, 2010 at 12:31 PM

Congrats Matt, great shot.

Registered on July 15, 2007, 171 Posts, 3566 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Anderson on July 6, 2010 at 1:25 PM

Congratulations on the EP! Well deserved!!!

Registered on January 31, 2006, 228 Posts, 3072 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on July 6, 2010 at 1:50 PM

Congratulations, Matt, on a well deserved weekly pick. I didn't realize that
Death Valley could be so beautiful at one of the hottest times of the year.

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on July 6, 2010 at 3:16 PM

Matt: Congrats on the EP and for a fantastic image. Marvelous light superbly captured. >=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Benner on July 7, 2010 at 10:26 AM

Classically beautiful. Congratulations.

Registered on December 8, 2003, 482 Posts, 1868 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Roane on July 7, 2010 at 12:17 PM

Superb, Matt. Congrats on the EP!

Registered on December 12, 2008, 213 Posts, 2226 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on July 8, 2010 at 5:55 PM

Hi Matt

Form, light and detail to die for

A superb composition!!! Congrats on the EP

Albert Darmo . Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on July 16, 2011 at 3:02 PM

Matt: Took a quick peek at your gallery and glad I did. I love dune shots and this one is exceptional IMO. Beautiful light and the textures and lines are fantastic. Really well seen and captured. >=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments