Mud!

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 15, 20161,159 views22 comments

I have wanted a parched earth/cracked mud/mud tile type image for ever! Just don't get that type of thing around my area. I have not been to Death Valley with my camera, but am leaving for there in 2 weeks! Anyway, I wish I could say I found this in some cool location. But, actually it is on a construction site I am working on in Davis, CA. The guys framing the houses on Saturday morning must have though there was something wrong with me when I showed up with my camera and an umbrella and started composing this shot. Hope you like it!

D800
24-70

Thanks
Chris

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 15, 2016 at 4:16 PM

Chris, Great eye spotting this one and then capturing it so well. I would have thought something like death Valley if I hadn't read where you got it. That says even more about your vision. Great shapes, patterns, textures and the light really makes this work for me. Yes, those guys probably did think you were a little crazy. Good luck in Death Valley when you get there and I'll look forward to seeing what you come up with there.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on February 15, 2016 at 5:30 PM

Hi Chris,

The lighting on this one is pretty darned good. There's some very nice subtle colors that were produced by the lighting of the scene. Good job on this one and I guess that you will have to leave room on your tool belt for some photographic equipment crying

..............................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on February 15, 2016 at 6:38 PM

Gorgeous Chris!!! I'm right there with ya with cracked mud image being on my bucket list - now you got yours. This is fantastic. The light is sweet, as is the arrangement of the elements. Great job isolating this intimate composition.

Perhaps my favorite part of the image is the one little tile of mud at the bottom that is peeling upward. At first I thought of it as a distraction, or defect in the comp, but now I love it as a focal point, a place for the eye to rest, etc. Also, it enhances the story of the image. Love it!

Lon

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

Comment posted by Dave Dillemuth on February 15, 2016 at 7:14 PM

Excellent image. The soft lighting is working beautifully. Processing looks great.

You should have told us you trekked 10 miles up a desert wash to find...

Registered on December 10, 2015, 104 Posts, 1112 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on February 15, 2016 at 9:29 PM

Sweet light and shapes, but I am not sure the overall comp is drawing me all the way in. I seem have a wandering eye with it. I am clearly in the minority, so probably just me. Again. It is tough to be the weird guy. sad

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on February 15, 2016 at 9:36 PM

But Harley, you do it so well! :)

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on February 15, 2016 at 10:10 PM

Just goes to show that you don't always have to travel far to get a great shot, Chris. The soft lighting works beautifully; perfect for showcasing all the intimate details and lines in the large version. Real nice.

Ed

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

Comment posted by Bill Fach on February 15, 2016 at 10:58 PM

Chris: What really makes this even cooler is that it is a scene that will never be replicated and will be forever unique. Well conceived, composed and captured.>=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on February 16, 2016 at 9:23 AM

Love it! Who'd have thunk of mud as a great photo subject... The subtle grazing light really sets this well comoposed pattern off wonderfully, Chris. The tiny sprig of green is the perfect "candle on the cake".

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Igor Doncov on February 16, 2016 at 11:32 AM

A very beautiful, fine art type of composition. The subtle browns add a lot here. There are a lot of elements that go into a good cracked mud image but one that is seldom mentioned is 'wetness'. Mud that's partially wet gives a richer range of tones and colors.

A minor nit for me is the crack near the upper light margin. The sun has caught it and the white line draws the eye a little.

Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments

Comment posted by Roel Wijtmans on February 16, 2016 at 11:49 AM

Soooo sweet! Light is awesome, as are the shapes and forms. But the icing on the cake has to be that little green plant, reaching out from this harsh environment. Really cool shot!

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

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on February 16, 2016 at 12:10 PM

Nice mud! :)

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on February 16, 2016 at 2:26 PM

Very well done, Chris. I really like the combination of warm and cool tones is this.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Reno DiTullio on February 16, 2016 at 4:45 PM

Well done, Chris, beautiful light.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 130 Posts, 1644 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on February 16, 2016 at 7:14 PM

I really like your thinking here with respect to finding your subject matter. A fresh look at the jobsite. This mud is superb. Great texture, great formation and color. Think how much money you saved not going to the Southwest to get this photograph. Of course, in the wintertime, you're lucky not to have tule fog covering the mud in Davis.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Ryan Shain on February 16, 2016 at 10:03 PM

Hi Chris,

This is quite the mud abstract with beautiful tones, shapes, lines, and textures. I really enjoy how the light creates separation from the upper mud tops, and the shadow area just below. What makes this image for me is the inclusion of the tiny little plant sapling. It is amazing something so green is growing in this mud.

Fantastic capture

Registered on February 20, 2007, 226 Posts, 4571 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 16, 2016 at 10:22 PM

Hi Chris What's not to like? love the delightful graphic detail of the patterns of curvy lines . and love the color and light you captured here.

Albert Darmo
Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Stanton on February 17, 2016 at 12:12 AM

Vintage...the image is just cracking me up laugh