# Favorite Image from 2025 **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** landscape, weekly-challenge\ **Created:** [December 15, 2025, 8:53pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/favorite-image-from-2025/49063 "2025-12-15T20:53:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DunnByRandall](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dunnbyrandall/32/22201_2.png) [@DunnByRandall](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/DunnByRandall)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2025, 8:53pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/favorite-image-from-2025/49063/1 "2025-12-15T20:53:33Z")
### Image(s) ![DUNN_DVNP-1185-90 (A,R3,S5)-2.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/a/2/a22091f47b9d3aca4e3f1ccaf17579841201370a.jpeg) ### Image Description My favorite image from 2025. I arrived in Death Valley National Park in early January. This was the first, of many mornings, exploring the Mesquite Sand Dunes looking for a good light and a pleasing composition. I was drawn to the S-curve of the shadow on the lit sand in the foreground the dune still in shadow behind it. ### Feedback Requests Do you like the amount of contrast and tonal range? ### Pertinent Technical Details Fuji XT-5 and 100-400mm, 6 images focus stacked using Helicon Focus. Converted to black and white using Lightroom Classic. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Waugh](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/max_waugh/32/512_2.png) [@Max\_Waugh](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Max_Waugh)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2025, 9:31pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/favorite-image-from-2025/49063/2 "2025-12-15T21:31:00Z")
The three tones are fabulous, but boy, I’m loving the lines! ---
**Author:** ![Ted\_Forman](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/ted_forman/32/23367_2.png) [@Ted\_Forman](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ted_Forman)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2025, 11:47pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/favorite-image-from-2025/49063/3 "2025-12-15T23:47:34Z")
This is such a stunning image Randall. The contrast between the light, midtone and dark tones in this one section of a larger scene is outstanding. And I agree with Max that the lines going in different directions really completes this shot. Well done. ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 3:17pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/favorite-image-from-2025/49063/4 "2025-12-16T15:17:01Z")
Beautifully seen and executed, Randall. A stunning image. I could see it filling a wall. ---
**Author:** ![Glenys\_Passier](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/glenys_passier/32/33963_2.png) [@Glenys\_Passier](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Glenys_Passier)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 10:32pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/favorite-image-from-2025/49063/5 "2025-12-16T22:32:04Z")
This is great! As Dennis has already mentioned; well seen, captured and processed. Just outstanding. ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Lowe](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/e36b37/32.png) [@Ed\_Lowe](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ed_Lowe)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2025, 7:47pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/favorite-image-from-2025/49063/6 "2025-12-17T19:47:19Z")
Hi Randall, I am loving this! The S curve is perfectly placed and quite striking; as is the contrasting black and white areas on the dunes. I also like the visual tension created with the ripples in the sand and the way they head off in different directions. Beautifully done. ---
**Author:** ![DunnByRandall](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dunnbyrandall/32/22201_2.png) [@DunnByRandall](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/DunnByRandall)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2025, 9:26pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/favorite-image-from-2025/49063/7 "2025-12-17T21:26:41Z")
Thanks for the comments. I’ll be heading back in January and look forward what the dunes may provide me to work with. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2025, 3:53am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/favorite-image-from-2025/49063/8 "2025-12-18T03:53:21Z")
This is spectacular, @DunnByRandall. I love the shaded and lit dunes, their sinuous shapes, and the different directional lines of corduroy texture. Really nice. I see why it’s your favorite of the year. ML ---
**Author:** ![Ola\_Jovall](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Ola\_Jovall](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ola_Jovall)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 3:31pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/favorite-image-from-2025/49063/9 "2025-12-18T15:31:06Z")
I agree fully with what has been said above, I have nothing to add, I just want to say that this image is outstanding. ---
**Author:** ![Chris\_Baird](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/chris_baird/32/72124_2.png) [@Chris\_Baird](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Chris_Baird)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 4:30pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/favorite-image-from-2025/49063/10 "2025-12-18T16:30:55Z")
Oh, so nice. Wonderful contrast and beautiful, sinuous line. You’ve brought out the textures very well. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Williams](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/john_williams/32/28797_2.png) [@John\_Williams](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/John_Williams)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 3:55pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/favorite-image-from-2025/49063/11 "2025-12-25T15:55:03Z")
> [@DunnByRandall](#): > > My favorite image from 2025. I can see why. I love the simplicity that reaches for complexity you captured here. Merry Christmas!