# Shortening Shadows **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** weekly-challenge\ **Created:** [February 24, 2025, 4:33pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/shortening-shadows/45600 "2025-02-24T16:33:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bill\_Fach](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/bill_fach/32/78290_2.png) [@Bill\_Fach](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Bill_Fach)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2025, 4:33pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/shortening-shadows/45600/1 "2025-02-24T16:33:11Z")
![Shortening-Shadows-2485A77II-25.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/0/a/0abd8fc7f105bf7c1a8a9904ac225a035b6ec8c9.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description Kind of a classic White Sands scene but on my only visit there I was delighted and intrigued by how a vast expanse of sand would suddenly be punctuated by a single yucca. This was taken in the early morning so as the sun was rising the shadow was receding. ### Specific Feedback I brought up the brightness of the main layer of sand but wanted to maintain some tonal separation between it and the fully sunlit BG dune. More brightness around the yucca? ### Technical Details Sony A77II Sony 70-400 G @ 120mm, probably CPL ISO 200, 1/320 @ f8 * * * ### Critique Template Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas. - Vision and Purpose: - Conceptual: - Emotional Impact and Mood: - Composition: - Balance and Visual Weight: - Depth and Dimension: - Color: - Lighting: - Processing: - Technical: ---
**Author:** ![Bonnie\_Lampley](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/bonnie_lampley/32/4825_2.png) [@Bonnie\_Lampley](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Bonnie_Lampley)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2025, 5:47pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/shortening-shadows/45600/2 "2025-02-24T17:47:50Z")
It is amazing how the yucca can survive amid all that sand. The contrast between the colorful yucca and the white sand is striking. I don’t think you need more brightness around the yucca at all. What does catch my eye, though, is the darker dune in the upper left. Maybe a touch of brightening on the shadows there would make it less prominent. I think it feels off to me also because it’s OOF - that combined with it’s contrast between the lighter bits makes it feel odd. ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Douglass](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dave_douglass/32/5332_2.png) [@Dave\_Douglass](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dave_Douglass)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2025, 7:12pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/shortening-shadows/45600/3 "2025-02-24T19:12:09Z")
I like your treatment of this sparse subject. The only thing I don’t care for is the logo being there. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Seaver](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mark_seaver/32/231_2.png) [@Mark\_Seaver](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mark_Seaver)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2025, 1:13pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/shortening-shadows/45600/4 "2025-02-26T13:13:21Z")
Bill, the Yucca stands out well, along with the surrounding dune and it’s shadow. The slight softness of the dunes behind helps keep attention on the Yucca. It does leave you wondering how a single seed got enough water to grow in this spot… ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Diephuis](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/steve_diephuis/32/50858_2.png) [@Steve\_Diephuis](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Steve_Diephuis)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2025, 4:47pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/shortening-shadows/45600/5 "2025-02-26T16:47:44Z")
Hi Bill, the yucca definitely is the star of the image. I think you separated the tones well. At first I thought maybe to left side oriented but the long shadow balanced the nice image. I need to visit White Sands again, it’s not that far and I never got interesting pictures from there like you did.