Monochromatic Dune + Repo

My first thought on this is to increase the detail slightly in the bottom trianglular half.  There is a hint of detail but it might have more impact with a little more,  The curves and comp are just fine.  I could be off here but would like to see a version with a different balance.

I agree with David about adding som contrast to the foreground. I really like the interaction between the low contrast in the fg and the high contrast in the bg, but I think it would still benefit from a bit more contrast in the fg. Otherwise this is excellent! Love those tiny animal tracks.

Very nice, Marylynne.  I like all the patterns in the sand.  For me an option to crop the top to eliminate the BG gives it a nice abstract feel.  The tracks in the FG are a nice touch.

I like this B+W rendition very much even without seeing the colour version. The patterns in the sand are quite complicated but the global composition is very simple. But for me the ratio's of the black, gray and white regions differ too much. So I would agree with the suggested crop. But then you loose the way the patterns in the sand curve along the sandhills. What about adding a black strip above, roughly the size of a fifth of the current height? Just a thought.

Marylynne, I like this one a lot and the larger version is really cool to look at. Those tracks add such a wonderful touch to this and the lines and textures are very nice. I like it fine as is and it would probably work well with just a bit more contrast in the foreground too. Really nice work!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Marylynne,

A wonderful and graphic image.  I love the patterns and tiny details (which can only be explored viewing large - like the little tracks and tiny ripples in the sand..)

I agree with David about trying to extract some more detail out of the sand with some additional contrast - but not too much of course.  I would go so far as to say actually cropping some portion off the bottom to help create a closer balance or proportion with the other sections (dunes and top.)  As presented without more detail at the bottom, there isn't the competition visually with the central patterns, but any increase in detail/contrast at the bottom I think should be countered with a crop from the bottom.  But that's just me.

It will be a fine addition to your portfolio.

Lon

This is stunning. BW is the way to go here. The ripples are mesmerizing.

Now having spent time out there in DV I can see how one can get absolutely lost in dunescapes!  Very nice shot. 

Very nice!  The animal tracks, more apparent in the larger version, add an element of interest to the image.  I agree with Bill that cropping the top to eliminate the background would result in a significantly more abstract composition ... not necessarily a better composition in my opinion, just different.  My suggestion, as an alternative, it to try to coax some more detail out of the shadows at the top, especially on the left where it is almost completely black.

The texture in the midground ridge is wonderful, Marylynne.  The gentler foreground and the touch of ridge along the top balance that heavy texture well.  The tracks scattered throughout add some fine extra interest.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.  Here is another stab at that foreground area.  The bground (with some hints of dune) was a problem and debate in the color version also.  I could try to decapitate the entire dune and see what that does.  Might play with that later.  For now, I just narrowed that strip.  I think adding black to the bottom takes it too far out of the realm of the real for me.  I feel myself faaaaaallling just thinking about it.  Nonetheless, that's worth a try too if anyone thinks that's a better move than what I've done here.

Let me know if this version works better.  There is not a lot of texture in that foreground (and in the color version it is just buff). 

Well ... In my opinion the repost is just too crowded and tight at the top  I'll stick with my earlier suggestion to try to coax more detail out of the shadows in the background at the top, especially on the left.

The large version is a visual treat, Marylynne. The textures and patterns in the sand is mezmerizing and I like the way the BG dune just fades away. This will work beautifully with your other B&W work.

Ed

Marylynne,

I much prefer the original crop.  If there is going to be space up top, there needs to be enough of it.  The original has just enough - and I like the hint of detail as well.  I'm also a little undecided about the bottom too.  It's like the higher key look of the original is better too... ;-)  just  one person's opinion though. Ultimately, you get to decide.

The original is considerably superior to the repost, both in the overall design and the handling of the tonality. The original jumps off the page - the repost is more pedestrian, sluggish. As I commented earlier, this is your best dune image of all we looked at. This is exquisite. The small wedge in the urc is just a great addition. Do not worry about the lack of detail in the dark section nor the white section. Look at it as a whole. Bravo.

I loved the color version, but this takes the scene to the next level. I think the original posted image is exquisite! The tonal separation and thus, the overall contrast is quite beautiful. This will have to be printed very carefully, but it will be wonderful.



--P

Thanks, everyone.  I really appreciate your willingness to suggest changes and to dial them back also.  I like the high key foreground too...it feels natural to me, given the way the light plays across the various dune surfaces. 

Hi Maylynne,

This image is a fine work of art in photography! The lines and tones in this image are wonderful to explore, and be very proud of this fine scene.