Vanishing

Everything works rather nicely in this scene, Dave. The sweeping curve of the dried up wash draws me into the image toward the hills and that lovely drama laden sky. When opening the large version I was greeted to all those patterns and textures in the dried up mud. Great work on this.

Ed

Wild sky to match the fascinating patterns in the mud.  The highlights in the mud give a real 3-D feel.  So 92 deg. in the winter there? Is the horizon tilted slighted CCW?  I realize that the range is probably angled at you so that may account for that.  Dif everything about it.

My daughter-in-law uses the word "dang" sparingly and only when she really appreciates some thing. Seems like a good time to borrow that word: "Dang" this is one fine image!

Everything about this image is very cool Dave. Well worth your time!

That's some wonderful bronze color in the ground, Dave, and the cracked mud is exquisite. Excellent image, indeed 

All the fun textures.  Very cool. :)

Great light, color, sky and very 3D image. Excellent! No nits here. 

So glad I looked at the large version;  it's like being there in person.  Reminds me of the Viewmaster 3-D images I marveled at as a kid.

That mud is off the charts... Looks like reptile plates.
Terrific light.

Yeah, viewed in the large image, the mud in the FG is awesome!  Like it's the scales on an animal that's very much alive, and getting ready to crawl away. Combine that with the fiery sky. Great image.

Dave, this is very well composed. I love the curving wash and how it points into the curve of clouds. Everything is thoughtfully placed. The sky is really beautiful, as is the reflected light on the foreground cracks. The only thing I suggest is to burn down or clone the small bright spot of mud near the right edge up toward the mountains, it pulls my eye a little bit.

The semicircle of clouds makes for a nice cap to the scene.

Death Valley never disappoints and your striking photo attests to that! It makes me yearn to return!

My favorite aspect of this image is the luminosity of the dry river bed and how it's contained to this area. What's interesting is that because the mud is arched the light seems to be coming from behind the photographer. I guess that's the explanation for the peculiar light that should be coming from behind the mountains.

Wonderful work, Dave. I really enjoy looking at this and it is just so cool looking. The light and colors are wonderful and then that dried up mud is pretty amazing. The way it is curved up and catching the light makes it look even more impressive. Feels like I could reach down and pick up a chunk of it... The mountain range and beautiful clouds make for a perfect backdrop.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.

All sorts of elements to enjoy on this image, but the lighting on the mud really gives this image its pop. Well crafted!

Excellent image, Dave. I love the way the cloud and wash track follow a comparable trajectory.  The mud cracks are a study of their own (left looks cupped, right domed). I might be inclined to crop a tish of the left to get the arc aiming less toward the center, but I'm just looking for something to offer.  Realistically, no suggestions.
ML

Love the drama portrayed in this photograph. You had some amazing atmospheric conditions and I love how you have chosen a composition to match it perfectly. A really strong image, Dave.