Dunes Finale III

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 18, 2010534 views44 comments

Another one from south of the Great Sand Dunes on Monday. I was happy enough to catch the snow showers moving off the dunes (the dunes were pretty much snow free a couple hours earlier) but when sunset came and the sky turned salmon-pink, it was marvelous. There was just a minute or two when there was still a bit of glow on the peaks, and all the elements came together. I have three or four versions of this scene, but i think this one is the best. Definitely one of the prettier sunsets i've witnessed at the dunes. I only wish i could have been two places at once--it would have been cool to be up on the dunes catching everything a bit closer too. Maybe next time...
5Dmkii; 70-300; 1/4s at f/16
C&C Welcome!

Comments

44 comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on November 18, 2010 at 9:53 PM

Nice Stan. Very beautiful light. Have you considered cropping the foreground? Doing so might really highlight the pastel colors and atmosphere.

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

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on November 18, 2010 at 9:56 PM

Magnificent and ethereal Stan! I also love the layers of elements - the grass, the mist and snowy dunes, the snow dusted mountain, and gorgeous sunset colored sky.

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on November 18, 2010 at 9:59 PM

Scott, i have a couple versions without the grass, and i agree that has its merit as well--i just like the extra layer here, but i suppose part of that is the bias of being out in that vast open prairie (with some Bison behind me, running away as usual...)

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on November 18, 2010 at 10:10 PM

I really like the sandwich of warmer colors with the cool ones in between. Not as epic as your last post, but it'll do.

Probably my second favorite of the set, too.

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

Comment posted by David Bostock on November 18, 2010 at 11:16 PM

Awesome.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 90 Posts, 2778 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce King on November 18, 2010 at 11:37 PM

A beauty Stan. Great light and nice composition.

Two places at once? That would require two Stan's, but if that means twice as many images like this then bring it on.

Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments

Comment posted by Jeremy Kessler on November 18, 2010 at 11:45 PM

Beautiful work Stan, I love those snow covered dunes.

Registered on September 13, 2007, 36 Posts, 1283 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Fricke on November 18, 2010 at 11:47 PM

Outstanding work Stan, must have been quite the sight! Great exposure throughout.

Registered on January 19, 2007, 133 Posts, 1448 Comments

Comment posted by Krunal Janani on November 19, 2010 at 12:10 AM

Another Marvellous image Stan

u must have had a ball this evening

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

Comment posted by Mark Zemmin on November 19, 2010 at 12:16 AM

Beautiful shot. You sure saw some amazing scenery. I'm torn on the grass only because the rest of the image has such soft lighting that the grass almost feels harsh.

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

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on November 19, 2010 at 1:21 AM

Although I prefer the dune shots of yours that have the more abstract, "personal" quality (like most of them have), one cannot deny the quality and the appeal here! The peaks in the bg look just great, the fog in the valley is very cool too.

Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on November 19, 2010 at 1:30 AM

nice layers stan - i like the details in the mountain and soft pastel colours. a nice moment.

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

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on November 19, 2010 at 1:56 AM

Light fantastic on a terrific landscape, Stan, and a very pleasing comp. The peak on the right almost blends with the sky, which is okay- just noted the contrast between that one and the others which have distinct edges against that incredible sky. Great shot. Makes the scouting and the waiting well worth it!

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

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on November 19, 2010 at 2:33 AM

Really nice Stan. You keep churning out some great images of this place again and again. I suppose it's like coming home to friends, right? Keep up the fantastic work!

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

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on November 19, 2010 at 5:26 AM

The colours are pure eye candy Stan. Fab layers.

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

Comment posted by Debashis Bandyopad on November 19, 2010 at 5:58 AM

Most beautiful Stan. Wonderful layers and what light, just awesome

Registered on June 24, 2007, 130 Posts, 1309 Comments

Comment posted by Gabi Lach on November 19, 2010 at 7:31 AM

Sweet light and conditions. Colors are lovely and the dunes hiding in fog are teasing a little bit.

Nice shot, Stan.

Registered on May 1, 2007, 101 Posts, 3187 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Tal on November 19, 2010 at 8:14 AM

Fantastic color and weather here, Stan. One of these days I'll have to ask you to show me around this place.

Guy

Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on November 19, 2010 at 8:34 AM

That's some great light Stan. I like the contrast between the brown (warm looking) FG and the snow covered peaks too. I wish you could have gotten some images of snow covered dunes - never seen that, would be cool. Really nice shot.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Justin Peterson on November 19, 2010 at 8:39 AM

Just beautiful, Stan. Of all the shots I've seen from you of this place, I feel like this is one of your more original or more of a first-time perspective for you. I absolutely love it. That light is gorgeous.

Registered on January 20, 2008, 33 Posts, 298 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on November 19, 2010 at 8:54 AM

Beautiful, Stan. I really like all the elements here and that piink sky and glow are special.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.

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

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on November 19, 2010 at 9:01 AM

Gorgeous sunset Stan and the light on the peaks as you mention is real nice.

Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by David Thomas on November 19, 2010 at 9:48 AM

I have been there twice on family trips, spring and summer, but nothing like this. Thanks!

Dave Thomas, Leesburg, VA

Registered on June 21, 2010, 30 Posts, 178 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on November 19, 2010 at 10:10 AM

Beautiful capture Stan, you continue to come away with some awesome images from this place! You should do a book on the dunes...

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

Comment posted by Ben Horne on November 19, 2010 at 10:13 AM

This is a downright epic shot Stan. The foreground, the misty middle-ground, and the stunning light on the background make for a very calm, serene, and beautiful scene.

Registered on August 27, 2009, 51 Posts, 959 Comments

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on November 19, 2010 at 11:31 AM

Wonderful shot, Stan - what a light.

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

Comment posted by Jorne de Bruin on November 19, 2010 at 11:49 AM

What a splendid scene, love the colours and different layers in this one!

Registered on June 26, 2008, 178 Posts, 2136 Comments

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on November 19, 2010 at 11:52 AM

the best

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

Comment posted by Carol Nichols on November 19, 2010 at 12:50 PM

Wow, this image will be a great finale for your book Stan. Just gorgeous

Registered on November 7, 2007, 161 Posts, 1420 Comments

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on November 19, 2010 at 2:06 PM

A fitting finale . . . leaves the viewer wanting more! This is a spectactular scene and you've done it justice. The low cloud is killer . . . at first, I thought it was blowing sand in the distance.

Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by Paulo A.Lopes on November 19, 2010 at 3:15 PM

alpen glow

Registered on October 14, 2008, 122 Posts, 836 Comments

Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on November 19, 2010 at 6:18 PM

Very pretty shot Stan. I like this as is...no crop needed. Too bad there was not more of the dunes showing with all that pretty white on them. Regardless, a very nice shot.

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

Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on November 19, 2010 at 8:08 PM

Finale 3? Man you milkin them like a harry potter movie

Great job Stan the color makes this one great. This tastes more like snowy peaks rather than sand but I do likey very much.

Nice work

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on November 19, 2010 at 8:54 PM

Stan,

Oh my goodness! I think I love this one even more than the last one. Of course they are two completely different images. This one is just sublime. The colors in the sky, the fog, the snow covered dunes... all just magical. What a site Stan, wonderful capture.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Arnab Banerjee on November 19, 2010 at 10:50 PM

you are killing me...it's another superb, over the top capture..how many more you have?

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

Comment posted by David Edwards on November 19, 2010 at 11:14 PM

Great shot, Stan. Magic light and color!

Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on November 19, 2010 at 11:23 PM

Nice layers of color and textures. Without the fog bank the dunes would look really good against the mountain.

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on November 19, 2010 at 11:30 PM

That didn't happen at sunset--but it was clear a bit earlier, so ill post one of those sometime in the next week...

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

Comment posted by Richard Wong on November 20, 2010 at 1:43 AM

This is one heck of a scene! Amazing. I wouldn't change a thing.

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

Comment posted by Phillip Noll on November 20, 2010 at 7:37 PM

Beautiful image, Stan! Love the layers and the colors and the fog!

Registered on November 17, 2003, 207 Posts, 1083 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on November 20, 2010 at 10:46 PM

Two thumbs up. Great colors and layers.

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

Comment posted by Keshav Kumar on November 21, 2010 at 9:07 AM

Simple, elegant and beautiful. Period.

Registered on June 3, 2008, 16 Posts, 42 Comments

Comment posted by Arild Heitmann on November 25, 2010 at 3:04 AM

Stunning light and tones!

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

Comment posted by Michael Anderson on November 26, 2010 at 5:50 PM

WOW Stan! That is incredible light! I love how you captured the dunes just beginning to reveal themselves out of the fog- adds to the palpable sense of mystery that exists there.

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