Anticipation +Bonus vert

VERTICAL PLEASE and it will be much better. I still like it though.

Lol, the light only lasted 1 second--not enough time to set up a vertical. I have a fully lit vertical though--what do you think?

Hello Stan,

wow the first version, really a softness

Very nice feel to this image...the isolated flower against the vast desert. The hour wait appears to have been worth it for the lighting conditions. I also believe I'd prefer a vertical comp. Looks a tad oversharp on my monitor?

RP

Sweeeet. Ok, first reaction though, lower perspective to reduce amount of midground sand and then move the flower farther from the bottom of the frame. Great shot nonetheless though! I remember your awesome shot similar to this one from last year.

First post, it really holds my attention, and that is what it is all about. Beautifully done Stan.
John

I think I prefer the first shot. The space in the rest of the frame gives off a feeling of isolation and loneliness, love it.

Hi Stan, I prefer the first but I've two nits, I think there's too much room in the MG and I'm not completely sure but the flower position doesn't connect the FG with the BG IMO.

Thank you for looking for this kind of events
Roberto

Definitely the first one, great contrast between the fg and bg. I do agree with some of the comments suggestion a lower pov to reduce the middleground.

This is a perfect shot, Stan...I love everything about it.

Thanks Justin!
The mid-fg and all that space is quite intentional, it's not supposed to connect the flower to the bg, its supposed to isolate it. Thanks for the feedback, i appreciate all opinions!

Really nice Stan. Man, i will be on the waiting list for your book about the sand dunes if you ever do it :)
I like everything about this. Maybe, i dont know, I would have lowered the viewpoint to allow a bit more of sand at the bottom and a bit more of sky, reducing the mid distance expanse of sand a little?
Wonderful shot Stan...

Nice to fine flowers in the middle of the desert
Mohsen deserves this dedication

very cool shot, Stan. I like the concept. Would be interested in your postprocessing since it appears you didn't use GND to even exposure?

Mark, no nd, i just exposed for the highlites and did some quick work with lum masks, i may have used a tiny bit of fill light here too. Ive also been using the shadow highlite tool lately, for better or worse cause its a dangerous tool but i usually set the values at either "1" or "2" at most.

Great shot Stan.

Man, what a nice little gem to find with a wonderful view to boot!
Nice work Stan!

I rode from Denver to NW New Mexico with my brother-in-law last week, and as we passed the dunes in the distance my thought was "Wish I had time to go play at Stan's."

While I see where you were headed here, my problem is that I remember some of your prior shots. My preference would be to totally disconnect the sunflower by just removing the background, or connect it as noted above. Your prior shots of just "sand and sunflower" set the bar with these.

This reminds me a little of the concept of Japanese minimalist art. I like it. I prefer the first version.
Well done, Stan, and thanks for sharing.

Hi Stan,

I like both images presented together - I think they compliment each other very well. If I had to chose one, I like the vertical better because of the color of the sand and sky, although the overall light is better in the horizontal version. On the horizontal, what I don't understand is the placement of the sunflower so close to the edge of the fg. For some who preaches the rule of thirds, this seems to be slightly out-of-character. Overall, I think a longer focal length would have been better to compress the space in that version.

I really do like the vertical much better. The flower takes on a much greater presence as does the sky and the composition is more pleasing to my eye. However, it would have been nice to have the top of the flower clearly underneath the horizion line instead of right on it. (That's a very minor nit however)

Overall, these images represent the incredible amount of work and beauty you've captured at the Great Sand Dunes NP. It is certainly a testament to your artistic skill and love of the area.

Michael

Stan,

A very well crafted landscape that does work very well in isolating this lone sunflower from the grander landscape. I like the amount of space you've given to the far mountains and sky. And your timing is perfect.

I am wishing for a skosh more room beneath the flower - in fact even if it just wasn't barely merging with the bottom I might be happier. But then it doesn't matter if I'm happy - you need to be happy with it. Personally, I think you had some stronger images of this type from last summer or previous years, but this one stands quite nicely on it's own.

Lon

This is really nice. I like the way you set this up. It just really appeals to me. Nice work with the shadow and highlights too. Don't really care for the vert. that much.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Nice shots overall, Stan and an awesome thing to see these growing out of the dune, I'm sure !!
I also wish there was a bit more space at the bottom of the image - the flower petals almost seem cut off at the very edge a little.... The light on the 2nd version is not nearly as interesting as in the 1st.... still lovely.

I guess I'll go against the grain a little. I like both, but strongly prefer the comp of the vertical more. Wish you could have had the light of the horz, but I still prefer the vert.

Both shots are sweet! The first shot really make me feel lonely. The second, happy.

That sure is sweet. I like how you've made that flower appear lonely.

This is well made photograph. I love the light and vast open space leading toward the distant mountains. However, the inclusion of the plant, especially in the manner it has been placed within the frame, ends up making the picture very cliche. Having studied your work for a while, this appears to be a bit out of the norm for you. If I may ask, can you kindly elaborate on your thought process behind choosing this particular viewpoint/composition. I am sure the additional insight will help me appreciate the image more.

I like the vertical better, but light is nicer in the first one. The flower looks lonely, but probably is proud growing in dunes, at least it looks like that. Well done, Stan.

I like the perspective in the repost but the light a little better in the original Stan.

I think this works well Stan.

I do wish the flower was in the bottom left 3rds position though.

Didn't you already get the best dune/flower shot ever from here?

Thanks for all the input, folks!
Marc--actually the best ive seen is John Wellers night shot (flower illuminated in headlamp) but i havent figured out a way to top him yet....

Stan, I would not have wasted my time.
Have a nice day, Ross