Matthew, you’re showing the blowing sand/dirt here well, with the sand nicely bright as well as obscuring the distant mountains. I also like the shafts of light coming down from above. I do wonder how it would look if you dodged the cloud and shaft of light on the left to be closer in brightness to the other parts of the view.
First of all, welcome to NPN! Glad to have you here and thanks for posting this one
I would say most definitely! What a great analogy with the “sand as a medium” Love that!
And to that point, I’m wondering if there is a color version, or is this the color version? Hard to tell, there does seem be be some color hues at the bottom… But I’m mentioning because I’m envisioning the golden light of the sun would be caught in the sand, giving the entire landscape a warm glow.
As presented, the drama of the sandstorm is beautifully captured and portrayed in this monochromatic presentatoin. In addtion to the sandstorm over the landscape, I see traces of light in the upper sky. You might even want to exploit those with some targeted dodging.
I don’t really have any other nits or suggestions. Great job - and I hope you’re still not cleaning out the dust from everywhere.
Looking forward to more images and for your participation! Welcome
There ya go! Thanks for putting this up. Glad to know I wasn’t seeing things… and you did have a version just like I was expecting! Thanks for sharing this one too. I think I prefer the color - but both do a fabulous job of capturing the drama of Death Valley!
Hi and welcome. I actually prefer the color version - I think it shows the light more dramatically. Your title caught my eye too. I haven’t seen or heard the word “haboob” since living in Khartoum 50 years ago! Is it used in your part of the world too?
Sand certainly shows the light well.Like others I think the colour version has the edge.
Love the way the mist thins over to the right side.
Very atmospheric photo - and fits the topic very well indeed
I don’t know, I am much more drawn to the B/W. I think you did a good job bring out the drama and I can see the mountains better. I’d agree with Mark’s comment about bring out the small shaft of light on the left. I think it would balance that side of the image better. I also like the very dark ground at the bottom. It helps give something solid to anchor the photo, because there is so much movement in the rest of the image. Good image.
There is certainly nothing wrong with your B&W version, but I too seem to be enjoying the color version a little better. There is a lot of drama to savor here with the light intermingling with the blowing sand. As you mentioned the sand does indeed pick up the light and kudos for braving the sand storm to capture this image. I would be so worried about the sand blowing and insidiously working it’s way into my gear. Beautifully done!
Thanks! We were on Mesquite Dunes for sunrise and it was dead calm. This thing just hit like a hammer. There was plenty of fretting about my gear. My tripod is still sandy.
Nice work on both of these Matt. I can only imagine being in those dunes in these conditions. I think it could be terrifying. Note to self: keep a particulate mask in camera bag.
I’m a little late to the discussion, but I thought I’d add my two cents: You have two really dynamic photographs here. In the black and white, I don’t really know what I’m seeing. It could be fog. In the color version, the hues scream sand. Both have an ominous mood for me.
Welcome aboard it’s always nice to see some new people! I love your submission and I think it fits the challenge well. Like others have mentioned I’m more drawn to the color version, which really highlights the colors of the sand. The color for me, is what distinguishes the sand from being perhaps…fog. I think it’s a wonderful presentation.
If you want to go with a b&w version I would consider getting a little more dramatic with it in processing. Increasing contrast, bring up the highlights, and as mentioned bringing out the cloud and beam to the left some. I’ve attached a quick example of what I mean. It’s all personal taste of course, and the image is beautiful as is.
