"Desert Shapes"

The patterns and conversion are impressive James. The background mountains look a little soft though. Overall, a beautiful and engaging composition.

Michael

That is really nice, James. The monochrome treat really plays up the shapes and light very nicely.

Wow, what a neat image! I love the dramatic sky along with those fascinating patterns on the salt flats. The lower left corner is a bit empty, so I wonder if a slightly different angle could have filled that more (by centering the 'tongue' more). Also I think it could stand a little more sharpening. Very minor nits though, I really like this one.

Thanks guys, I tried to sharpen it some more, but I noticed some banding in the sky. I did apply a blur technique that may have not been a good idea for this image. I like the overall effect in the sky, but it did soften the background a bit to much.

Floris, thanks for the feedback, I do have a few slightly different angles of this composition, but there is a bit of salt formation on the right side that leads your eye out of the scene, so I did stay tight on the right. Maybe I will do some cloning

Nice comp and processing, James. The shapes in the FG are pretty unique. I used to use lightroom for b/w conversions but PS does a much better job I've found.

Trippy comp and clouds James.

Only thing that I can really nit at is the heavy posterization, especially in the clouds, although I'm seeing some in the foreground and mountain as well. I'd bet if you go back and check out your histogram, it's going to look pretty jagged. Maybe check out your original file and see if this is present in any way. If it's not, you may have over processed the image, possibly a layer blend mode or some such step. One thing that may help is editing the photo in 16 bit mode instead of 8.

Nicolaus - I did notice the posterization in the clouds, but did not have time to go back and analyze each layer. I did not blend any images, but with the conversion, I must have over done one of the steps I took. I did process the image in 16bit, and converted to 8 bit for the web versions.

Thanks for the input, I was waiting for someone to catch that

Hi James - this is a cool shot of this location. I like the way the drama in the foreground and clouds draws me into the image. I have a soft spot for super-dramatic black and white images, so I really am enjoying this. I also like the broad tonal range here, with the whites of the salt flats and the dark greys/blacks in the mud and mountains. I am viewing this on my laptop so I am not sure it what I am seeing is accurate, but some of the highlights do look a bit hot and are therefore a bit distracting (clouds, primarily).

I have found that Tony Kuyper's luminosity masks are a great tool for adding drama to a black and white image. You might want to experiment with them if you have not given them a try for future conversions. I have a few shots from this location from my trip - we will have to compare (once I get around to processing mine!). I have really enjoyed your recent images.

patters in FG really make this - the sky adds to the drama. i agree that the left corner seems a little empty?!?

Nice work James. Very end-of-the-world. I wonder if there is a way to bring out a little more detail in the left foreground. I see a little banding here and there, but aside from that love it.

Thanks again, these type of images do not appeal to everyone, but I personally like these dark B&W dramatic scenes.

Sarah, The highlights seem fine on my end, but who knows when it comes to viewing this image on different monitors. As for luminosity masks, I have been working with them now, they are of great value. Like you I like these types of images as well.

Dude your photography is really coming on the scene! Very cool shot here. I like the line and drama.

I think it might be able to handle a touch of sharpening to the clouds/sky background without ill effect...

Mark, thank you for the compliment, It feels great to have photographers like yourself endorse my efforts I still have loads to learn, but it all feels great. I have finally come to a point in my life where I really enjoy what I am doing! I used to wear a business suit, and worked in the corporate world for 10 years selling enterprise software solutions. I felt like a fish out of water! Now, what I am doing is not work at all

Fantastic processing James. The shapes and sky compliment each other nicely.

Fantastic B&W James. Very abstract in a way in a good way. Have you tried Nik Silver Efex for B&W conversion? It tends to yield B&W's very close to old film characteristics but with more control. Some people don't like plug ins for PS, but it saves me time. Anyway, that sky and foreground are wonderful.

Love it man! Very dramatic and eye catching image all the way around...