Dunes Finale I

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 16, 2010492 views45 comments

After destroying another tripod yesterday (2d in 3 years) Ive decided to take a couple weeks off from photography so that i can clean my dishes and wash my clothes...
But yesterday was spectacular as snow squalls cleared from the Dunes at sunset. This looked like a Spring thunderstorm, and in fact, there was lightning from these clouds not far away. It snowed like mad for a while, then cleared up just in time for sunset. The dunes are visible as the sunlit strip on the horizon. This is looking east from the Medano Ranch, a private area (i received permission) south of the park.
5Dmkii; 17-40; 2img blend at f/18
C&C Welcome!

Comments

45 comments

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on November 16, 2010 at 9:55 PM

Dang Stan, that is an awesome display. It must have been something to witness this in person.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on November 16, 2010 at 10:01 PM

Gorgeous cloud formation and color Stan. I like the enormity of the scene and subtlety of color and detail you have captured.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on November 16, 2010 at 10:09 PM

Wow! This is spetacular.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on November 16, 2010 at 10:10 PM

quite a range of light and color, Stan. Gorgeous layers and then the moon!

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

Comment posted by Bob Miller on November 16, 2010 at 10:11 PM

Damn, Thats a cloud. Nice job with the color too. For comp I'd get as much of this as possible. Got some pixels to spare on the edges? Possible CW rotation-a tad?

Registered on January 24, 2005, 152 Posts, 405 Comments

Comment posted by Kyle L. Krause on November 16, 2010 at 10:15 PM

Wow this is fascinating Stan, great capture! Mother nature at her best. Love the clouds and moon.

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on November 16, 2010 at 10:18 PM

Bob, no im afraid this is at 17mm and uncropped. I should have done some stitches, but time was not something i had a lot of--i changed lenses about 20 times in five minutes, cause i was trying to shoot these Bison to the West at the same time this crazy sunset display was going on to the East. Plus, i was working with half a tripod (the bottom leg section broke earlier

) Im happy anything came out in retrospect!

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

Comment posted by Paul Duval on November 16, 2010 at 10:19 PM

Only 2 Stan your not trying hard enough....Is washing dishes and cleaning clothes penance for sinning against the Tripod gods? ( I know you had it the other way in your post ) . This is just wonderful my favorite cloud type and in magnificent light, half moon too saw it a sunset tonight here. I think the Tripod Gods have forgiven you your transgressions. I have the evidence right here on my monitor. Your post.

Paul

Registered on June 30, 2009, 508 Posts, 1907 Comments

Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on November 16, 2010 at 10:44 PM

Boomdiada, the world is just awesome.

Great display, shows how small mountains are in the grand scheme of things, which makes all of us lil wee peeps spinning through this infinite multiverse even smaller.

Since you like picking on other people's photos so much, you have dust spots...and some noise. The moon looks good though.

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

Comment posted by Joel DeYoung on November 16, 2010 at 10:48 PM

Absolutely gorgeous! No nits here! you really nailed it! Glad you made it out, clean clothes and dishes are over rated.

Bummer about the tripod, you do know your not supposed to park your car on it don't you?

Registered on July 12, 2009, 92 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on November 16, 2010 at 10:50 PM

You're not supposed to use it in place of your treking poles either!

Nicolaus: I only pick on the photos i like

Definitely some dust (changing lenses 20X will do that) no noise though, at least not on my monitor.

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

Comment posted by Jonathan Sinclair on November 16, 2010 at 11:03 PM

spectacular image! love the colours

Registered on February 11, 2010, 35 Posts, 39 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Bacon on November 16, 2010 at 11:16 PM

Incredible - love it - thanks for sharing

Registered on November 24, 2008, 56 Posts, 492 Comments

Comment posted by Krunal Janani on November 16, 2010 at 11:23 PM

Stunning

Registered on September 16, 2010, 60 Posts, 1370 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on November 16, 2010 at 11:28 PM

That's powerful! The dunes just get lost in the distance. It's nice that they are in the light. Awesome cloud/cell!

Chris

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

Comment posted by Rohn B. McKee on November 16, 2010 at 11:36 PM

Remarkable image Stan. Color, Light and powerful action

Registered on November 18, 2008, 109 Posts, 415 Comments

Comment posted by dean hebert on November 16, 2010 at 11:57 PM

Heck of a cloud Stan, I'm glad you were there to witness and record it! Holding my tripod together with chewing gum and string!

Registered on August 4, 2010, 70 Posts, 1132 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on November 17, 2010 at 1:23 AM

This has to be one of the most awesome cloud / storm images I have ever seen, Stan. The color and light in and on that cloud are incredible. The moon puts this to the top of the charts. Amazing image, simply an amazing image. I hope you print this one huge.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Roane on November 17, 2010 at 1:33 AM

That's a wicked cloud, nicely put in perspective by the mountains. the moon is a nice bonus. well captured, Stan - no nits from me!

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

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on November 17, 2010 at 1:33 AM

lots of drama here stan with satisfying hints of details. great job on two and a half legs.

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on November 17, 2010 at 1:52 AM

Actually it was 2 2/3

I lost one bottom section so i used the top sections and raised the center column to the max...

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

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on November 17, 2010 at 3:03 AM

That's some cloud Stan. Beautiful shot of the dune area once again. Neat how the cloud touches the peaks.

Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on November 17, 2010 at 3:20 AM

Absolutely awesome, Stan

Very impressive image, gorgeous colors.
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Bret Edge on November 17, 2010 at 4:50 AM

Holy crap...this is out of this world, dude. Speechless.

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

Comment posted by Leann Greene on November 17, 2010 at 6:10 AM

That is a whole lotta scene in one frame-outstanding.

Registered on January 25, 2006, 223 Posts, 3566 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Pederson on November 17, 2010 at 7:41 AM

Powerful image. The moon is icing and the glow in the clouds is special. I think I'd rotate it CW a degree maybe.

Registered on October 19, 2010, 95 Posts, 470 Comments

Comment posted by Jason Miles Kirk on November 17, 2010 at 8:49 AM

Stan - this is a great scene. You can really sense the power and movement of this storm. Cheers!

Registered on January 9, 2007, 7 Posts, 55 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on November 17, 2010 at 9:10 AM

Wow! Amazing clouds. This is great Stan. The moon is a wonderful addition along with the great color.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.

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

Comment posted by Mark Zemmin on November 17, 2010 at 9:46 AM

Wonderful to look at. I like how the cloud dwarfs everything else in the scene. Wonderful texture in the cloud and the moon on top is a real bonus.

Registered on November 4, 2010, 8 Posts, 170 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Rhodus on November 17, 2010 at 9:49 AM

Great light and some serious action going on here Stan. I like the added touch of the moon perched above the storm.

Registered on November 16, 2003, 157 Posts, 3326 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on November 17, 2010 at 9:59 AM

Stan - Great clouds and light upon it. Did the clouds ever clear the dunes? Great job.

Harry

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on November 17, 2010 at 10:50 AM

Very Cool, Stan.
Lemons to lemonade. Well done!
Neil

PS, look like Sandy has a tripod FS. Timely.

Registered on October 30, 2009, 156 Posts, 749 Comments

Comment posted by Pete Bengeyfield on November 17, 2010 at 11:12 AM

Awesome cloud and really neat comp.

Registered on December 2, 2003, 1247 Posts, 3439 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on November 17, 2010 at 12:01 PM

Clean up all those pesky dust specks and you'll have a winner, Stan.

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

Comment posted by Arnab Banerjee on November 17, 2010 at 1:20 PM

This is almost unfair that you have access and live in areas like this - not funny

Registered on January 3, 2007, 313 Posts, 2270 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Lou on November 17, 2010 at 1:44 PM

Very dramatic cloud formation and color, and moon is very good touch.

Registered on August 3, 2010, 86 Posts, 273 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on November 17, 2010 at 4:52 PM

This is a stunning image Stan. I like the glowing land unde the cloud and the moon up top. Well done.

Registered on November 2, 2009, 161 Posts, 2143 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on November 17, 2010 at 5:17 PM

Very wow Stan. The moon is the icing on a very spectacular cake!

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on November 17, 2010 at 6:16 PM

Stan,

That is one frickin' awesome cloud! It's ginormous! Great color and light too. What a site to witness. Yikes.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on November 17, 2010 at 8:58 PM

Epic!!! Glad you had a 17mm to get it all in. Outstanding, and my favorite of your recent trip.

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

Comment posted by Arild Heitmann on November 18, 2010 at 8:23 AM

holy shit...that is one hell of a cloud! Impressive shot!

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

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on November 18, 2010 at 12:26 PM

Thats a monster! Nice job Stan.

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

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on November 18, 2010 at 5:28 PM

Can't get much more dramatic than this, Stan. My goodness, to have been there to see it– how amazing.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on November 18, 2010 at 6:33 PM

Thanks for all the comments, folks!

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

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on November 18, 2010 at 10:42 PM

Wow! What a freakin awesome cloud! That light is killer, as is the moon. Probably one of my favorites from you, and that is saying a lot!

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments