Standing in a dune field brings me to think of the passing of time, but also timelessness. Perhaps because the small details of the dunes are always changing, but the dunes themselves are always there.
Contrast-y enough for everyone’s taste? It feels ok to me, but this is the kind of scene that perhaps could use a boost.
Is this a composite: No
a7r3, 29mm, f/16, 1/60s, ISO 400. Converted to b&w in PS + dodging, burning, curves.
I love all those arcs and counter-arcs, both on the ground and in the sky. But most of all I like the mystery, the enigma, of the nearest arc. To me, the way it ends, and even it’s tonality, gives it that sense of unusualness. That’s how I see it. I wouldn’t ‘perk it up’ with more contrast. Yes, there is something alien about this whole thing.
Bonnie, this is a real treat. I really love the way that “s” curve comes around and resolves- so utterly unexpected. Beautifully conceived and executed. Your take on the timelessness you feel around the dunes is much the same as I feel around rapids and fast moving water - dynamic invariance.
Fantastic image. Like it just as presented with no changes.
There is a very nice flow to this image. I suppose the question of how much contrast comes down to what you want to say with the image, but I find it quite compelling as is.
How gorgeous is this! B&W is such a great choice as well, although I bet the colour image is also very worthy.
The little rocks on top of the foremost dune seem to be defiantly holding the dune together against the relentless winds. I like seeing the ripples in the foreground fade out to the vastness that lays beyond. The snaking light from background to foreground leading to the assortment of rocks is the icing on the cake.
I like the amount of Contrast you’ve chosen.
This is wonderful, Bonnie. I love the B&W treatment. I wouldn’t change a thing.
I love the repeating sweeps that start with the great arc in the foreground and work out to the horizon. I am on the fence about the clump of bushes on the left edge, but not a biggie to my eye. Processing looks really good. I quite like this one.
Bonnie, you do so many intimate scenes, it’s nice to see a grand landscape from you for a change of pace. Of course, it’s a grand landscape with your trademark abstract spin. Wait a minute, isn’t that the Nike trademark? It sure looks like the Nike Swoosh to me 
I think you have just the right level of contrast in your processing, I wouldn’t change a thing about it. I love how the Swoosh “continues” into the dunes, and even into the clouds, if you look hard enough.
Nicely processed - a minor knit is that little bush in the RUC
Thanks so much, @Igor_Doncov, @David_Bostock, @Jim_Gavin, @Harley_Goldman, @Karl_Zuzarte, @Kerry_Gordon, and @Ed_McGuirk for your thoughts and appreciation.
Dynamic invariance - I like that description!
Yah, I wondered about the various little bushes, but in the end they didn’t disturb me too much. Perhaps just a bit of dodging to make them less apparent.
I should have described the “swoosh” - it’s a feature of differential drying after rains. For some reason, that zone dried out faster, hence it was lighter in tone than the rest of the dune.
