Mesquite Morning

This is wonderful. Somehow I missed your first post, but this is really nice. Love the textures and curves, and the composition is excellent.

Excellent image Jon. I like the layers, the sharpness, and the details in the sand. Just wonderful. If it were mine, I'd crop out the veg in the ULHC as it seems to distract me. Nevertheless, this is a great piece of photography.

Unique composition. Very well seen. The scattered bushes provide a nice juxtaposition to the rolling dunes. Contrary to Peter's comment about cropping the upper left bush, I like it. What I would consider, though, is cloning the small bit of bush showing at upper center and the twig sticking up at lower left. After looking at your 1st post, I'm surprise you didn't go B&W on this. Nice job.

Peter, I experimented with cropping out the bushes in the ULHC but decided I liked the extra depth that it brought to the image.

Barry, I did a B&W conversion but decided I like the subtle blue tones in the color version. Also, I thought about cloning out the twig in the lower left and will do this based on your suggestion. The small bush top center doesn't really bother me and I think I will leave that alone.

Welcome. Excellent shot. Nice light and textures. I would prefer a crop off of the top to eliminate the bushes, but that's a personal preference really.

Well, I should read all of the comments first, I guess. I see you prefer it as is. Your choice.

Hey, Jon. You have a wonderful eye for composition. I really like the shapes and textures here. How'd you get this color out of the Death Valley dunes? Feels more like White Sands. Regardless, I really like it. Is your wife going to post some photographs too

Beautiful mix of curves and textures. The ULC shrub is a bit too close to the edge for me, considering the rest of your comp. You must have had a field day with all of the dune options here.

Thank you all for the feedback. As there is near consensus to crop the upper left bush out, I've tried a quick redo. It does make for a less cluttered and more intimate composition. I also cloned out the twigs in the left lower corner.

Tony, the sand on that morning really did look white when shooting towards the sunrise. I have some other photos of dunes from this same morning that look like snowdrifts! In photos where the sun was at my back, the sand had the expected tones.

Harry, a field day is an apt way to describe being out in the dunes. Many different options for compositions, yet little time to catch the morning light.

Beautiful - love the lines and textures. The upper left bushes draw my eye also, so you might consider cloning them out.
Great work!
Sandy

very nice - i'd be voting for a crop as well - off the top and the left. a well conceived image.

Wow, this is so pure so simple
i would recommend avoid the plants on the top left

All the best

Love the textures and forms of these dunes and the simplicity of your composition. I too was going to suggest cropping a bit off the top to enhance that simplicity but I see you posted a cropped version, which in my opinion, works perfectly. The delicate textures and whiteness in the sand are really remarkable. A stunning image, especially the cropped version. Should make a beautiful print.

Stunning.

Very nice approach to the sand dunes. Amazing!