# A tear in the sands of time **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** abstract, black-and-white\ **Created:** [May 5, 2026, 3:37am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-tear-in-the-sands-of-time/50711 "2026-05-05T03:37:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Phil\_G](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/phil_g/32/46432_2.png) [@Phil\_G](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Phil_G)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 3:37am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-tear-in-the-sands-of-time/50711/1 "2026-05-05T03:37:48Z")
![A tear in the sands of time.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/4/b/4badbc4e575eac251ba7cf2c619292300d0a5bfc.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description This one is just a bit of frivolity really. In my mind’s eye I see the dominant sand pattern diminishing from the current time in the foreground to long in the past as that pattern becomes smaller toward the top of the image, The small sandy ledge and its shadow represent a tear in that timeline and an opening into another time altogether. This is one of many images from our trips to a sand spit (30 km length) at Cape Farewell in NZ. ### Specific Feedback All comments or different views of the image are welcome. ### Technical Details 75mm, ISO 200 1/400s, f6.3 ---
**Author:** ![Marylynne\_Diggs](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/marylynne_diggs/32/87403_2.png) [@Marylynne\_Diggs](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Marylynne_Diggs)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 4:57pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-tear-in-the-sands-of-time/50711/2 "2026-05-05T16:57:43Z")
This is cool, Phil. I see why you were attracted to it, and with the explanation, I get your meaning as well. I hope it’s okay that I took the liberty of downloading and rotating it a bit to see if something else would grab my attention more. It did, but of course, it changes the sense of time and receding memory, and all that good stuff that you articulated. Here’s my take–a clockwise rotation, and a slight crop off the left. It’s a different image, and not necessarily a better one. I think it just works better with western “left to right” reading of a scene. ![PGreenwoodA tear in the sands of time](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/2/f/2f497edff587b62ed77e19ed366063ca80b363f6.jpeg) I’ll be curious to see what others think about your original. I keep looking at it and liking it, and yet I also kept feeling like something was missing. Maybe it’s just that I don’t like going back in time, or don’t want to face the tears between now and the past 😅 . ML ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Peters](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/don_peters/32/87970_2.png) [@Don\_Peters](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Don_Peters)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 10:31pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-tear-in-the-sands-of-time/50711/3 "2026-05-05T22:31:25Z")
Fine work. I had to look at this one for a long time, which is a good thing. I assumed I was seeing sand but I didn’t know what to make of the crack. I’m comfortable with the original image and with Marylynne’s modification. I think I prefer still another orientation, which shows that it’s all a matter of taste. ![Phil's image](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/5/c/5cb8a5cdc62ea7674ed3ac0e021ebf2f08b63a1d.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Phil\_G](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/phil_g/32/46432_2.png) [@Phil\_G](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Phil_G)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 1:17am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-tear-in-the-sands-of-time/50711/4 "2026-05-09T01:17:47Z")
Thanks for your comments and suggestions @Marylynne_Diggs and @Don_Peters. We’ve now got three of the four possible orientations! As Don commented, it is a matter of taste and, fortunately, as in beauty this is in the eye of the beholder and how the meaning of an image is interpreted. In this case I was trying to show the fading of time into the background, but must admit that any portrayal of time in a minimalist image is rather difficult 🤔. Cheers, ---
**Author:** ![Lon\_Overacker](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/lon_overacker/32/10929_2.png) [@Lon\_Overacker](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Lon_Overacker)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2026, 6:25pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-tear-in-the-sands-of-time/50711/5 "2026-05-12T18:25:06Z")
Phil, Love this! Outstanding natural abstract. I can absolutely see your intent here on time and the past. As a corollary to that, I also see fading to infinity. I also see this as a vertebrae and implying the size of the creature is indeterminant, going on forever… The crack really adds a cool and mysterious element - perhaps if it’s pried open any further, ancient gasses will release… or something like that. I love this as presented - and no, won’t post the 4th orientation… ha ha. Beautifully processed as a B&W also. ---
**Author:** ![Phil\_G](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/phil_g/32/46432_2.png) [@Phil\_G](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Phil_G)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2026, 11:38pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-tear-in-the-sands-of-time/50711/6 "2026-05-12T23:38:37Z")
Thanks Lon, your comments regarding vertebrae reflect my feelings at the time I captured this. But when looking at it later it just kept shouting TIMELINE to me. When it comes to the crack, does your ancient gasses comment indicate a Doctor Who fancier? Cheers ---
**Author:** ![lynsie](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/lynsie/32/85575_2.png) [@lynsie](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/lynsie)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2026, 12:31am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-tear-in-the-sands-of-time/50711/7 "2026-05-13T00:31:30Z")
Hi Phil, I really enjoy this image and your concept for it. I prefer the orientation you presented the image in since it does connect more with the passing of time. I see the same reading as a fissure opening up through time. ---
**Author:** ![Phil\_G](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/phil_g/32/46432_2.png) [@Phil\_G](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Phil_G)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2026, 10:22pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-tear-in-the-sands-of-time/50711/8 "2026-05-13T22:22:48Z")
Thanks Lynsie. We are obviously on the same wavelength (or in the same timeline 😉). ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 3:03am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-tear-in-the-sands-of-time/50711/9 "2026-05-14T03:03:32Z")
This is very cool!! I don’t feel any need to change the orientation as I see the details receding very effectively. But that crack is amazing! (Another continental shift going on??) Wonderful seeing and presentation!! No suggestions!! ---
**Author:** ![Phil\_G](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/phil_g/32/46432_2.png) [@Phil\_G](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Phil_G)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2026, 10:22pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/a-tear-in-the-sands-of-time/50711/10 "2026-05-18T22:22:54Z")
Hi Diane. Thanks for your comments on this one. Yes, it was the crack in the sand that drew me into the photo when I came to look at it for any processing. It didn’t need anything much though, just a few spot removals.