Photo of the Month 6/13

Gallery: LandscapePosted June 17, 20131,552 views29 comments

Pink Sands

Lencois Maranhenses Sand Dunes, Brazil. The pastel colors of twilight are absorbed by the soft white sands of the dunes. This is one of the most unique landscapes I've ever photographed. Soft white sand dunes, crystalline fresh water lakes, a remote Atlantic coastline and a warm tropical breeze all evening. Paradise!

(This was taken during the sunset prior to the starlight photo I posted 2 days ago).

Comments

29 comments

Comment posted by Ian Cameron on June 17, 2013 at 5:06 AM

Stunning light and I prefer this presentation, but I do prefer non night time shots on the whole. Is this a second trip out to this location or remnants from your first visit.

Registered on August 6, 2004, 1125 Posts, 3318 Comments

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on June 17, 2013 at 5:07 AM

killer

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

Comment posted by Michael Anderson on June 17, 2013 at 5:21 AM

Hey Ian, I went back again! I really love photographing this place. I have it all to myself, I love the blank canvas of photographic potential and the unique environment that has such surreal natural light. It can be brutally hot with no shelter from the sun only 3 degrees from the equator, so it isn't the easiest place to photograph, but it keeps drawing me back... It is very far from the South America tourist trail and I love the authentic cultural experiences I have there along with the amazing natural environment. You will love it!

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

Comment posted by Michael Anderson on June 17, 2013 at 5:27 AM

Oh and I forgot to mention the killer birds that tried to attack me while I was photographing the sunset this night. They must have a nest up there on the dune because they would squack and circle me and then take turns diving in a fast swoop nearly hitting my head. You could hear the whistle in their wings when they nearly hit me. It was crazy! A big distraction to my photography efforts, that´s for sure! I had to hold my teva sandle up in my hand the whole time and threaten to throw it at them whenever they swooped at me. I assumed they would calm down and leave after it got dark, but they kept coming back. I couldn´t see them at night, I could only hear the whistle of their wings when they swooped at my head in the dark. That was spooky when I was shooting the stars and setting up the timelapse. I don´t know if they would actually hit me with their long sharp beak or not- it certainly would leave a mark if they did...

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

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on June 17, 2013 at 9:29 AM

Beautiful glowing light and soft inviting colors. This is great! The texture of the fg dune is an excellent counterpoint for the smoother bg. Nice!

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

Comment posted by Ben Horne on June 17, 2013 at 11:34 AM

I always look forward to the images you come back with from this location. The light you've captured here is very special, and I really like the warm/cool mix of light on the sand.

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

Comment posted by Roel Wijtmans on June 17, 2013 at 12:07 PM

This does not look like planet earth to me... Amazing shot!

Registered on September 30, 2012, 116 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on June 17, 2013 at 12:44 PM

The light is gorgeous and the subject matter is intriguing. Fine work.

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on June 17, 2013 at 1:15 PM

Wow! This looks fantastic, Michael. Great comp with light and colors that are just wonderful.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Chris Moore on June 17, 2013 at 2:13 PM

Great job, Mike. I think you've pretty much mastered this area. Your images from here are phenomenal, and this is no exception. Well done.

Registered on January 12, 2010, 84 Posts, 388 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on June 17, 2013 at 2:14 PM

Exquisite pastels.

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

Comment posted by Peter Richter on June 17, 2013 at 3:59 PM

A most impressive and interesting abstract for me, Michael. The repetitive pattern of the foreground lines together with the diverse shapes and beautiful color transitions keep me exploring your composition.

Peter

Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on June 17, 2013 at 6:24 PM

This is just down right gorgeous Mike. The pinks, the blues, the overall flow of the dune lines and tidal stream are wonderful.

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

Comment posted by Rick Turner on June 17, 2013 at 6:45 PM

A painting from the impressionist mold

Stunningly simple and beautiful...
Well seen and presented.

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on June 17, 2013 at 7:10 PM

Fabulous.

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on June 17, 2013 at 7:33 PM

Mike,

Exquisite.

Somehow though I just can't connect the "killer birds" with such a tranquil scene.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on June 17, 2013 at 10:14 PM

Mike, a tough comp with the body of water flowing large, wide, and right. But, man you nailed it. So many comps possible with this area. Love the hue change betwixt the sky and lower dunes. Yellow to pink, and blue/darks creating the tonal shapes. A real feast for the eyes. I bet your itchin' to break out of your schedule and get back.... ;)

Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments

Comment posted by Navin Sarma on June 17, 2013 at 11:23 PM

Awesome pink light complemented by dark skies and water. A surreally believable scene. Really curious about the geology of this place.

Registered on July 17, 2011, 233 Posts, 1373 Comments

Comment posted by David Edwards on June 18, 2013 at 5:47 AM

I like this one better than the last one. The lines of the water winding it's way around the sand create a lot of interest for me.

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

Comment posted by Joerg Bonner on June 19, 2013 at 5:40 AM

what a beautiful palette of colours and shapes. great shot, mike!!

Registered on September 5, 2011, 44 Posts, 221 Comments

Comment posted by Jeremy Kessler on June 19, 2013 at 4:47 PM

Somehow missed this. Absolutely fantastic!

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

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on June 20, 2013 at 10:47 AM

Simply amazing.

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

Comment posted by Enrique Vizcarra on June 20, 2013 at 1:38 PM

Wow!

Color are fantastic, the soft and the warm of the lights are stunning

Registered on September 10, 2009, 223 Posts, 393 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on June 20, 2013 at 3:30 PM

I wanna go! Ill carry your bags next trip

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

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on June 26, 2013 at 4:33 PM

Paradise Indeed and extremely well captured Mike,
Congratulations on the well deserved Weekly Pick . . .

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Sandipan Dutta on June 26, 2013 at 11:44 PM

Congratulations on WP ! Marvellous image.

Registered on March 9, 2009, 171 Posts, 493 Comments

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on July 4, 2013 at 12:37 PM

Congratulations

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

Comment posted by Max Waugh on July 4, 2013 at 2:56 PM

Congratulations on the front page feature. Lovely violet and blue tones here.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Anderson on August 7, 2013 at 9:32 PM

Thanks for the great commentary! I made a minor adjustment in contrast and I think this version is more true to the Adobe RGB file and the actual scene.

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