Stone Bellies

Gallery: LandscapePosted April 8, 20131,445 views10 comments

As is almost always the case with complex areas, its the details that hold the most fascination for me. Yesterday's post showed a wider view of this small stretch of Tafoni sandstone. The light was slightly overcast and constantly changing as the remnant clouds of a passing storm were moving through. The soft directional light was just perfect to accentuate the roundness of this section of the rocks. When I saw the two dimples I immediately thought of belly buttons, hence the title.

All the photos in this stone series were made on a Nikon D2x, and an 80-200mm f/4 lens at various focal lengths. I might just go back and retake some of these on 4x5 film.

Enjoy.

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Anil Rao on April 8, 2013 at 1:13 AM

Very nicely done, Youssef.

As you probably know the subject matter presented here is dear to me and I can therefore strongly relate to this image.

Registered on November 15, 2003, 234 Posts, 4923 Comments

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on April 8, 2013 at 1:53 AM

Thanks Anil. I do know that and was hoping that you would see it. Every time I am on that beach I think of you. You set a high bar for stone imagery and I hope to come close.

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

Comment posted by Jared Warren on April 8, 2013 at 11:33 AM

I love the lines and textures here. Great vision and execution.

Registered on May 11, 2012, 84 Posts, 931 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on April 8, 2013 at 1:02 PM

The beautiful light really accentuates the detailed textures and subtle color in the stone Youssef. Gorgeous work.

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on April 8, 2013 at 2:30 PM

Wow - this is sublime Youssef. This is the kind of image I could sit and explore for a long time. Love the subtle coloration and the wonderful texture. I say going back with the 4x5 is a must!

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

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on April 8, 2013 at 3:21 PM

Wow, incredible textures and great light to bring those out. I do find that the upper 1/4 of the image distracts somehow from the rest, as if it does not belong there. Further the little crack on the right side going beyond the frame edge and back into the frame again is a slight distraction to the overall scene IMO.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on April 8, 2013 at 8:39 PM

A fanastic arrangement of lines and shapes along with light and shadow, Youssef.

Beautifully done.

Ed

Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on April 9, 2013 at 8:20 AM

This is beautiful, Youssef. I do find your copyright distracting, however.

- Dan

Registered on November 1, 2003, 473 Posts, 7980 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on April 9, 2013 at 9:53 AM

Very nice. The dimples do make the image, IMO. Texture, color, light and details are all superb.

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on April 9, 2013 at 3:13 PM

Love the soft pillow looking shapes Youssef,

Gary.

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