Algodones Dunescape #2

Gallery: Man & NaturePosted May 22, 20162,100 views6 comments

Hi Everyone,
I'm processing a half dozen or so dunescapes from a trip to the Algodones Dunes near the Salton Sea. Some of them are going to be posted in the Landscape Gallery, some, like this with footprints (or tire tracks) , will be posted here.

I was captivated by all of the dunes in this area, and these footprints wer particularly interesting to me because, like so many footprints, it's difficult to sort out whether they are convex or concave.

As usual, I'm interested in any and all feedback, including suggestions for processing, different crops, and even declarations of utter boredom.

Canon 5D3 with 24-105mm at 60mm
ISO 125, f/11, 1/320s

All feedback appreciated.
ML

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on May 22, 2016 at 9:56 PM

The main set of tracks is well positioned in the frame, Marylynne, but what I really like are the many little animal tracks. If it weren't for the animal tracks, I probably wouldn't find the image to be of sufficient interest. But the variety of tracks makes this interesting.

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

Comment posted by Kathy Barnhart on May 23, 2016 at 2:23 PM

Kind of a surreal image, with interesting lines and I, too, love the little tracks that can only be seen in the larger version. I like the way the footprints go off into the blue somewhere. The clouds in the sky give me some horizontal orientation. Will look forward to seeing some others in your series.

Registered on November 11, 2011, 404 Posts, 1639 Comments

Comment posted by Basil Greber on May 24, 2016 at 1:25 AM

Great pattern in the sand - I'm always fascinated by these. If this were mine, I'd consider cropping off the left quarter, such that the left border would be placed (more or less) where the horizon meets the edge of the frame. Just a though. ;)

Registered on November 8, 2005, 219 Posts, 1340 Comments

Comment posted by Marylynne Diggs on May 24, 2016 at 10:56 PM

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I played with some different crops, and while a hard crop off the left is tempting (even going with square aspect ratio), I was hesitant to remove the animal tracks that much. I kind of liked the parallel paths (symbolically, anyway).

Here is a different take with a little off the left, more of a pano crop (12x20). Let me know if you like it better.
ML

Registered on December 14, 2010, 122 Posts, 1034 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on May 25, 2016 at 11:06 PM

I prefer the original crop. The clean simple composition lets the contrasts and patterns sing.

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

Comment posted by Marylynne Diggs on May 25, 2016 at 11:12 PM

Thanks Kah Kit. Do you find the strand of vegetation in the original distracting? That's the only thing I like better about # 2.
ML

Registered on December 14, 2010, 122 Posts, 1034 Comments