White Sands Icons

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 2, 2010273 views16 comments

There is no escaping the iconic Soaptree Yucca plant when you explore White Sands National Monument. As you walk through the dunes the Yucca plants are the only organism to greet you on your level. All other organisms (plant or animal) are foot high and are dwarfed amongst the giant rolling dunes. For me Yuccas are not just survivors of this extreme environment, but old guards of the desert that are a welcomed sight with every visit.

A higher resolution version of this image can be viewed in my newly released White Sands Fine Art Collection iPad App

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Andrew Finlayson on November 2, 2010 at 4:57 AM

This is a great shot Jim, love the blue cast, comp is simple and strong and the clarity is just spot on. Nice work.

Registered on July 29, 2010, 26 Posts, 404 Comments

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on November 2, 2010 at 6:39 AM

Wonderful shot, Jim. Love the blue colors and the flawless comp.

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

Comment posted by John Williams on November 2, 2010 at 9:42 AM

The yucca anchors the photo nicely, and I really like the small yuccas on the skyline. They and the moon add a lot to the shot, tying it all together. An isolated foreground yucca with a tad more room would have been a consideration, but that's truly a nit.

An iPad App for you photography is a cool idea; now I just need an iPad. This is the cover shot for the app?

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Dorin Bofan on November 2, 2010 at 10:38 AM

Very surreal looking and a beautiful composition focusing on the Yucca.

Registered on April 30, 2007, 122 Posts, 3086 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on November 2, 2010 at 10:52 AM

Yep--this is classic White Sands! Id clone out a couple of those intruding fronds on extreme rhs and call it perfect.

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

Comment posted by Joshua Hardin on November 2, 2010 at 10:56 AM

Looks like it's a lovely image. I agree with what Stan said above. Wow that watermark is massively distracting though.

Registered on July 29, 2006, 40 Posts, 414 Comments

Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on November 2, 2010 at 11:33 AM

Sweet Jim. The moon star works fairly well as a counter point to the yucca in the foreground.

Registered on February 21, 2010, 133 Posts, 1509 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on November 2, 2010 at 11:52 AM

Neat shot, really like the blues and the comp is perfect.

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Bret Edge on November 2, 2010 at 12:04 PM

Hey, this looks familiar.

Lovely image, Jim. I like the cool tones and simple composition.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 711 Posts, 6363 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on November 2, 2010 at 1:20 PM

Sweet light and the color is awesome.

Registered on June 11, 2006, 113 Posts, 2116 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on November 2, 2010 at 7:24 PM

The moonstar seems a sweet counterpoint to the yucca. I see the slightest halo around the plant but noone else has mentioned it so it may be just me. A really beautifully shot with that soft lighting bringing out the textures in the sand without too much contrast.

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

Comment posted by Richard Wong on November 2, 2010 at 7:27 PM

Looks like a great place Jim. This captures the quietness very well. Good luck on the app.

Registered on February 2, 2006, 79 Posts, 2629 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Goldstein on November 3, 2010 at 1:37 AM

Thanks everyone for the great comments and feedback.

John when you get that iPad keep me posted :) This is indeed the cover shot for the app.

Stan thanks for the idea. I'm good with the extra fronds. I worked the scene as best as possible to minimize extra elements and intentionally left them in post-processing. I'm a believer in the perfect imperfect image :) Nature is wild and unpredictable... it's allowed to be in in photographs as well.

Josh I actually intended to use a different watermark for the forum vs the general public. Next time :)

Kah I'm not seeing the halo on my monitor. I'll take a second look, but I try hard to make sure such artifacts are not present in my work.

Thanks Richard!

Registered on March 18, 2006, 119 Posts, 878 Comments

Comment posted by Arild Heitmann on November 3, 2010 at 9:03 AM

Perfect composition and wonderful blues!

Registered on October 13, 2010, 27 Posts, 378 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ryan on November 3, 2010 at 3:44 PM

I so want to get to White Sands some day. I love the blue cast and the moon star.

Registered on June 29, 2008, 85 Posts, 636 Comments

Comment posted by Eric Good on November 3, 2010 at 4:40 PM

Love the blue tones that run throughout this image. Classic WS material captured here. I'd clone out that copyright symbol in the LLC though.

Registered on March 17, 2007, 116 Posts, 4764 Comments