Dreaming of the Sea + Repost!

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 8, 2010308 views30 comments

I was returning back from High Dune (big dune at Great Sand Dunes NP and popular sunset spot) last week when i noticed these waves of sand were all lined up and facing perpendicular to the setting sun--so i knew they would catch some nice warm light as the sun continued to set and the horizon colors got stronger and stronger. The most intense color only lasted a minute or so. It reminded me of ocean waves picking up the color of a sunset.
5Dmkii; 17-40; 3img blend (2 for flare), 20s at f/16
C&C Welcome!
See repost below!

Comments

30 comments

Comment posted by Rick Goldwasser on December 8, 2010 at 12:01 PM

I really like the shapes and textures you got in the bottom half but I'm not sure about the top. I'm also not real sure what the comp would be without the top - maybe just an intimate dune shot? Anyway, was just at the dunes a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed the little write-up they had on you - law, music, photography - very cool!

Registered on May 10, 2009, 127 Posts, 970 Comments

Comment posted by Sean Bagshaw on December 8, 2010 at 12:10 PM

Stan - Love the light, texture and patterns in the sand. The way individual sand grains are picking up the light is really interesting. Sounds like you worked the flare already, but the patch along the horizon is mildly problematic for me. Actually, it isn't the bit along the horizon so much as the spot of it in the dune shadow just below. Also, not sure if it is snow, frost or what, but the small white spots draw my eye away from the good stuff up front. Your control of the exposure in the bottom half is so nice.

Registered on February 14, 2007, 99 Posts, 479 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on December 8, 2010 at 12:15 PM

Those are patches of snow, Sean--i agree at this size theyre distracting, but at full size its not an issue, at least for me--i could clone them out but theyre natural, and weve had so little snow here so far that ive got to save every bit i can

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

Comment posted by Jack Brauer on December 8, 2010 at 12:38 PM

That's killer!!! I love the super bold comp. This is one my favorites of your recent dunes shots. One critique I have involves the processing... I feel that it looks a bit HDR-ish, and I think that's because the foreground shadows might be too bright. Or overall the foreground might be too bright? Anyhow, I think if the entire foreground was a bit darker, the colors would become more intense and the scene would look a bit more dramatic. The HDR-ishness sort of flattens out an otherwise totally dramatic comp.

Registered on September 12, 2005, 40 Posts, 627 Comments

Comment posted by Anne K. Rusk on December 8, 2010 at 12:46 PM

You totally nailed the exposure on the sky, I like this very much! Only small nit is the spot on the dune in front of the bright yellow part of the sky. The small white patches are snow, right? (I'm sure it is more obvious on a print or large version) As usual, the texture on the dunes is superb.
edit: I see below you answered that the spots are snow. I like 'em!

Registered on October 10, 2010, 65 Posts, 904 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on December 8, 2010 at 12:48 PM

Great light Stan, and I love the color and texture of the sand. Very pretty.

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on December 8, 2010 at 12:59 PM

Thanks! Jack--i could see going a tad darker with the fg, so ill play with that idea--i have to rework this anyways cause i see i missed a couple flare spots, and fortunately i can eliminate that with the couple of fg exposures i took.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on December 8, 2010 at 2:03 PM

Wonderful light and texture Stan. It really does look like the ocean.

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

Comment posted by dean hebert on December 8, 2010 at 2:03 PM

Great texture in the FG sand! The snow bothers me at this size but I'll take your word that it's not an issue.LOvely tones.

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

Comment posted by Raymond D Smith on December 8, 2010 at 2:12 PM

Stan that must have been a hard exposure to get right. At first I thought it was snow, but that is some awesome light on those sand ripples. I always struggle with the white balance in shots like tis but you have manage at also it looks real natural to my eyes. The only nit I have is there seems to be a light spot on the upper right hand corner that overly catches my eye. All else looks good and I realy enjoy your sand dune pictures. Cheers

Registered on January 22, 2009, 12 Posts, 479 Comments

Comment posted by Jason Kim on December 8, 2010 at 2:51 PM

These ripples definitely remind me of a big ocean swell making its way towards the coast. This really pops off the screen.

Registered on July 1, 2006, 60 Posts, 1233 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on December 8, 2010 at 2:54 PM

Really like the textures and color in the sand. Sky looks a bit funky, maybe a bit dark.

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

Comment posted by Luis Argerich on December 8, 2010 at 2:58 PM

Hi Stan,
I've seen a lot of images from dunes and this one is different than most of what I've seen. The light is really very special here I particularly like the alternation of light and shadows and the extraordinary level of detail in the sand.
A fantastic photo.

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

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on December 8, 2010 at 5:09 PM

Fantastic light on the dunes. You just managed to control that sky

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

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on December 8, 2010 at 5:11 PM

Wow! A sandy ocean indeed. I love how big those waves are too. The colors and contrasts (mostly contrasts) are a little stronger than I would call natural; I'm probably seeing the same thing as Jack. Very different from your other dune shots, which I like!

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

Comment posted by Ron Pederson on December 8, 2010 at 5:52 PM

Awesome waves of sand, very much like an ocean image. The FG is spot on and I like the mini-ripples in the shadows of the sand. I think I'd opt for cloning out the half dozen or so white spots, they may be natural but still a distraction - just an opinion. I'm less taken by the sky. I like that it mimics the dunes, but it seems a bit too bright and the orange flare on the dunes doesn't quite work for me.

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

Comment posted by Kory Lidstrom on December 8, 2010 at 8:57 PM

Very nice! One of the more original shots I've seen from GSNP. The waves are really compelling. I wish the top quarter of the image was as compelling as the waves, but still, it's a nice image.

Registered on November 19, 2008, 49 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Gabi Lach on December 9, 2010 at 9:08 AM

Texture is sand in the foreground looks great! Beautiful light and all. Very pretty shot, Stan.

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on December 9, 2010 at 10:59 AM

Thanks! I darkened the fg a bit, and did some more flare reduction; the snow isnt as visible also with the darker fg.

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

Comment posted by Luis Argerich on December 9, 2010 at 11:57 AM

The Original works better for me in case my opinion helps.

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

Comment posted by Sam Chrysanthou on December 9, 2010 at 12:33 PM

The texture in the sand is what stands out for me, that and the magenta and blue colours in the ripples. Not sure about the 'sparkles' of snow--we've got plenty to spare if you want to visit sometime!

Registered on December 18, 2007, 71 Posts, 1191 Comments

Comment posted by Darren Huski on December 9, 2010 at 12:45 PM

You get such nice stuff from the dunes!

Registered on August 17, 2008, 61 Posts, 340 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on December 9, 2010 at 4:23 PM

Its beautiful, Stan. I love the color, ripples, texture and amazing detail in the sand!!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.

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

Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on December 9, 2010 at 5:59 PM

I think the repost is an improvement. Your shots from here have been great and, as a result, I really want to get out there soon. Nicely done.

Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on December 9, 2010 at 7:22 PM

Fabulous lines and textures here. Those ripples are perhaps the highest, most defined I have seen in a sand dune yet. I was fine with the first, and also with the second. I have no real preferance.

Chris

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

Comment posted by Anne K. Rusk on December 9, 2010 at 9:52 PM

Stan, I like the moodiness of the repost. The texture is still there in excellent condition. Great scene!

Registered on October 10, 2010, 65 Posts, 904 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on December 9, 2010 at 11:10 PM

Yeah, the repost works better for me. Lots of great, unique views you bring back each and every time.

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

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on December 10, 2010 at 8:45 AM

The repost for me Stan because of the richness of the color. Gorgeous color and light throughout. It does in deed look like an ocean. All you need now are some dandelion wave splashes!

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

Comment posted by Rick Gomez on December 10, 2010 at 10:26 AM

This image looks great. I especially love the foreground. I like the original post better, btw.

Registered on March 3, 2007, 206 Posts, 1853 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on December 10, 2010 at 5:10 PM

Just a marvelous image! Love it!

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