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Cloaked in Red
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Cloaked in Red

by Dave Dillemuth

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 15, 20183,496 views14 comments
Fiery sunset from my first night shooting the dunes with Harley. This is a 2 exposure blend processed in Lightroom and Photoshop CC. Suggestions, critiques, comments appreciated. Better viewed large on a dark background.

5DSR, 70-200 f/4 IS L 

Comments

14 comments
Comment posted by Dan Kearl on January 15, 2018 at 9:07 PM
You all are killing with these...
Invite me to the next photo get together if I can get light like this.....
Really nice as is but maybe a version with the sky toned down and muted a bit and the FG lightened just a bit more.
Registered on September 2, 2013, 209 Posts, 1514 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on January 15, 2018 at 9:23 PM
<div>Beautiful, Dave. Looks like you were out of breath from running back to the dunes? sad  I might bring up the highlights on the dunes just a bit and see what you think. Great sky and sweet scene.

Where was that lazy old guy when you were in this spot? Taking a nap in his chair back at camp?</div>
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on January 15, 2018 at 9:35 PM
Amazing light, Dave. The larger view opens up  nicely. Well captured and processed. 
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Ed McGuirk on January 16, 2018 at 7:12 AM
Looks like you guys had a lot of great opportunities at DV, and you made the most of it as well !!!

The light here is lovely, i especially like the light falling on the dunes in the LLC, it's subtle but beautiful. I agree with Dan that the foreground might benefit from a slight increase in exposure, perhaps by making local dodging to just the highlighted areas of the dunes in the bottom third of the image.

 
Registered on November 29, 2017, 19 Posts, 260 Comments
Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on January 16, 2018 at 7:23 AM
Pretty incredible lighting and subject, you hit it just right.  My observations, which are more of a personal taste that anything wrong with the image.  The far mnts look too magenta to me, maybe desat or reduce magenta there.  I realize the sky may be impacting the lighting here though.  Also, would have tried to move a couple steps to the left to try and place the tip of the high dune in a dark area of the mnts., looks to be intersecting the notch in the mnts.  The lighting on the dunes is so perfect.  Never have photographed dunes like this, maybe March would be a good time?
Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on January 16, 2018 at 12:09 PM
Dave,

Oh my, what soft light and beautiful pastels in the dunes.  The sky is pretty intense, but you did a great job in balancing the exposures.

As dynamic and gorgeous as the sky/clouds are, for me this is all about the dunes.  and to that, a slight crop from the top would emphasize the dunes even more.  Much like the comments for some of ice images from the two Ed's recently.  Regardless, this is quite impactful as presented.

Now doubt Mr. H. was ready for a nightcap by this time. sad

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by Igor Doncov on January 16, 2018 at 1:44 PM
This is a real fine image, Dave. The sky is dominating the scene and that's good. You might try desaturating it a bit but I suspect it will lead to a blah image. I like it just the way it is. Nobody mentioned those rocks. I would clone out the 2 largest ones.
Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments
Comment posted by Ed Lowe on January 16, 2018 at 2:24 PM
This is spectacular, Dave. That red sky is gorgeous, but what I find particularly striking is the warm glow on the dunes. It sets up the whole scene for me and helps accentuate the three different layers in this image. This is just a suggestion of course, but what do you think of a crop of about one quarter of the sky to get rid of that lighter area in the URC? I think that would elevate this beauty another notch and emphasize the sky even more. Either way this is a winner.

Ed
Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on January 16, 2018 at 5:00 PM
Dave, The larger detailed view is wonderful. Excellent work as it is for me. I like that you didn't put the higher dune peak above the horizon line...Good planning with the comp! cool Beautiful.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Neale Dyster on January 16, 2018 at 6:11 PM
Love it ! Beautiful light and composition. Enjoyed the foreground detail when viewed large.
I wouldn't change a thing personally.
Registered on February 19, 2008, 94 Posts, 738 Comments
Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on January 17, 2018 at 10:44 AM
How the sands reflect the red sky is nice, especially in the lower left quarter.  There is a tiny dark triangle near the bottom of the left edge that might be cloned out.  The relative brightness of sky to dunes looks natural.
Registered on April 1, 2010, 196 Posts, 1592 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Henke on January 18, 2018 at 8:55 PM
Very compelling image, Dave. The layering is sweet! 
Registered on February 20, 2012, 117 Posts, 285 Comments
Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on January 18, 2018 at 9:29 PM
Yeah, the red sky is nice. Something we all hope to get. But the dunes and that soft light are incredible. My only tiny nit is the tip of the large dune touching the distant ridge line. Really nice!
Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments
Comment posted by Eva McDermott on January 24, 2018 at 1:30 AM
The foreground light is stunning Dave.  The red sky is icing on the cake.  Beautiful.
Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments