The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I had the pleasure of shooting with fellow NPN member James Shoemaker at Mesquite Dunes last week. I wanted to find a unique composition and this layered “fan” of dunes worked for me.
Specific Feedback
My vision for this was to lean into sureal and a bit abstract but knowing that this does show sand dunes. I struggled with the color version and opted to go BW which I prefer for this image. It still seems a bit flat but changing any of the lights and darks to add contrast seemed too much for this image and alas this is what I felt was the best I could get from this scene and lighting.
Technical Details
I did lighten the highlights on top of the dunes just to give them a bit more punch. Sharpened as much as I could without getting too crunchy but knowing with BW I can push it a bit more.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
I like this Keith. I like your processing. I think the “flatness” suits the image quite well. I think the image is defined by the rolling ridges of the dunes, not by any dramatic lighting.
Great image Keith! I think this composition works very well with the fan like shape of the dunes leading your eye around the frame. I like the post processing a lot as well. Perfect amount of texture, and lighting up the top of the dunes while allowing for more shadows at their bases definitely adds some needed separation and depth. I’d be interested to see why you didn’t like the colored version, but the balk and white was definitely a nice touch. I think you succeeded as well with creating a somewhat abstract feel in the image as well, and I think the “flatness” is perfect for that. Honestly just all around a great image!
Hi Keith,
This dunescape is nothing short of amazing. I do love the fan shape created with those graceful ridge lines of the dunes, so great eye to pick that out and compose it. I am also liking the textures and lines in the dunes as well. This is always a matter of personal tastes and may not be your vision here, but I could see adding a touch more contrast and brightness to the image. I hope you do not mind, but here is a rework with what I was thinking. This is a beauty.
Thank you @Michael_Lowe@bryant & @Ed_Lowe for the feedback! It’s funny how such a simple image can offer so many challenges to process! Ed, I really like your version, icing on the cake so to speak! Bryant, here is a color version and now that I have lived with the image for awhile I do like the color one more than before, but even with warming a bit that color’s still seem too muted and some strange color artifacts?. The image was captured after sunset and there was not even a lot of “blue light” when I took it so I leaned towards the BW version.
Great eye to see and compose this little “blade” scene - and I do see/get the reference; very cool! The “fanning” out just works beautifully - and by blades, do you mean blades of a lens aperture?
Although your original version works very well as presented. I do really like the subtle changes Ed has posted; small, but effective tweek. I think the added highlights was a great idea and excellent application.
Thank you for posting the color version. Not sure how the RAW file looks, but I can see, I think, the color artifacts? Refering to the magenta hints on the a few of the dune faces? That’s kinda weird. Again, hard to say without seeing the original, but on the surface , perhaps something as simple as globally desaturating the magenta? hard to say. But for sure, I think the color version could work beautifully with some fixin’
Love this intimate dune view and image. Dune images are of course pretty popular, and it’s always refreshing to see a more intimate image such as this. Great eye!
This is fantastic, @Keith_Flood. I like every version that’s been posted, including the rework. They all have their own interesting aesthetic. I wish I could offer some critique but I’ve got nothing. Simply perfect.
Lon, I just checked the RAW file and something happened when I exported it to jpeg, The RAW file does not have the magenta color cast. I was trying to just show a color version and did not spend much time processing that version. Which, I should have taken more care in preparing that version. The RAW has some interesting variations in the color/tones despite it being past sunset in flat light which I think makes it all the more interesting. Anyway, thank you for your feedback!
Thank you @Bret_Edge I have been to this location several times now, and I tend to gravitate to the grand or usual compositions at first, but this time, I worked to find something just a little different. Glad it came across that way!
I just posted my rework version, it is subtle but refined! Thanks everyone for your feedback and inspiration!!!
You can see how the frame is part of the composition and how it affects the composition with these images. The narrow frame just feels awkward when surrounding the rather wide layers of the dunes. The wide frame feels balanced with what it encompasses. In my opinion, of course.
Man, this is really good! I love a great dune scene and although Death Valley has been shot to death, creating new sand art is easy because the wind takes what you took today and molds into something entirely different for whoever stops by to shoot tomorrow.
The thing that really caught my eye was the the different textures. The front “blade” has long straight patterns while the rest of the blades have the more usual wavy patterns. I can’t recall if I’ve ever seen an image with both presented together like this. Throw in those beautifully and perfectly spaced blades and you’ve got me sold. Great light off the top of that front blade fading softly into the background and eventually into shadow. Very enjoyable image to meander through.
I missed this one earlier but so glad I’m seeing it now. All said above and nothing to add except how much I love it. I’ve never been able to find these abstract compositions out there. Congratulations on the EP! Well deserved!
I guess my “photographic depression” is officially over! I do feel invigorated, motivated, and just all-around excited to be shooting again. Shout out to @David_Kingham and @Jennifer_Renwick for inspiring me to “snap out of it!”. I am in the process of adopting David’s Lightroom Presets (in beta now but coming out soon!) which have helped me be more deliberate with local adjustments.
I am also challenged and inspired by ALL the photographers here on NPN, certainly no better place on the internet to grow as a photographer!
I do feel invigorated, motivated, and just all-around excited to be shooting again. Shout out to