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Event Horizon II
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Event Horizon II

by Stan Rose

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 29, 2009405 views33 comments
Another night shot from Saturday at the Great Sand Dunes. I used a flashlight to illuminate the crest of the dune in front of me; the scale isnt apparent here, but the dune face was probabaly about 40 feet high. I have another version with a properly exposed moon, but for this gallery it would look like a white dot, so for here i'll post this version of the moon-as-star.
5DMkII; 17-40; 20s at f/11, ISO 400.
C&C Welcome!

Comments

33 comments
Comment posted by Bret Edge on December 29, 2009 at 7:41 PM
Another killer dunes photo, Stan. You are developing a large and impressive portfolio of images from this place. Nice work!
Registered on November 1, 2003, 711 Posts, 6363 Comments
Comment posted by Scott Lawson on December 29, 2009 at 8:05 PM
Great shot. I really like the light on the dune crest. It works nicely with brightness of the moon.
Registered on March 3, 2008, 29 Posts, 337 Comments
Comment posted by Eva McDermott on December 29, 2009 at 8:25 PM
Wonderful, ethereal dune image Stan. The moon is great but the light on the top of the dune is fantastic. I like the star points too (since I don't like star trails).
Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments
Comment posted by Guy Tal on December 29, 2009 at 8:30 PM
This is absolutely surreal, Stan. You surely have the most creative and beautiful portfolio of this area. Still waiting for the book...

Guy
Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments
Comment posted by Stan Rose on December 29, 2009 at 8:35 PM
My publisher tells me i have to get a close up shot of the rare elusive giant sandworm before I'm good-to-go, Guy :wink:
Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Goldstein on December 29, 2009 at 8:38 PM
Cool photo. The light at the top of the dune reminds me of the shimmer of light you see on a crashing wave. The gold tone of the wave in contrast to the deep blue is very sharp. Looks as though there is a hint of lens flare on the dunes. Might be good to be aware of if you're anti-flare.
Registered on March 18, 2006, 119 Posts, 878 Comments
Comment posted by John Mumaw on December 29, 2009 at 9:03 PM
Once again, you saved the best for here.
Much less harsh than the images at RMNP. That dune does resemble a breaking wave. Love the detail present throughout, and the moonstar is the perfect complement.
Real fine image, and yes...one for the book!
Registered on September 9, 2005, 62 Posts, 2289 Comments
Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on December 29, 2009 at 9:08 PM
How'd you get a moon-star :confused: The painted dune top is pretty cool. But it's a bit shakey, so I'm guessing it was either cold or you're were drinking or both :biggrin:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments
Comment posted by Stan Rose on December 29, 2009 at 9:14 PM
I don't drink and dune, Tony :biggrin:
Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on December 29, 2009 at 9:34 PM
:toast:
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on December 29, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Stan a very alluring image.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments
Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on December 30, 2009 at 1:53 AM
This definately has a science fiction kind of look to it. I can't get over the shape and definition of the moon star. Is this a lens only effect?

I just reread my comments on your last post. It seems like that could be a little confusing, due to the fact that I may have left out a sentence there????? Anyway, the part that was sad to me was that it would be compared to some of those more flashy or wow factor type shots. Not that it was a more subtle, understated image by comparison. You may have gotten the point I was trying to make though?

Chris
Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments
Comment posted by Anil Rao on December 30, 2009 at 3:07 AM
What an amazing photograph, Stan. I have been studying it for a long time and must say that it was a really enjoyable experience. Its one picture that will stick in my memory for a long time.
Registered on November 15, 2003, 234 Posts, 4923 Comments
Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on December 30, 2009 at 3:49 AM
This is really cool Stan, love it, I must say, your Dune shots are EXCELLENT. Beautiful work.
John
Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments
Comment posted by Michael Anderson on December 30, 2009 at 4:27 AM
This is WAY cool Stan! It grabs my attention immediately. Very creative use of light painting here and the moon as a star is brilliant in this situation.
Registered on January 31, 2006, 228 Posts, 3072 Comments
Comment posted by Ant on December 30, 2009 at 4:34 AM
Stunning and surreal image ! And the flashlight truly adds an element of... glow, so to say. Good luck with the giant sandworm :wink:
Registered on April 13, 2009, 27 Posts, 474 Comments
Comment posted by Arnab Banerjee on December 30, 2009 at 8:57 AM
cool stan..I wish that black hill line on the rhs was not there. light painting was a good idea on this one. i also recommend to get the FG even - that means darkening part of the sands in the fg and make it a even darker tone with ridge glowing
Registered on January 3, 2007, 313 Posts, 2270 Comments
Comment posted by Andreas Resch on December 30, 2009 at 9:23 AM
Wonderful creation, Stan. The light painting worked really well here. The flare are wonderful too. Have a great 2010.
Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments
Comment posted by Daman Sidhu on December 30, 2009 at 11:14 AM
This is a brilliant shot Stan! Very very creative especially with the shimmering light.. almost feels as if it was a moving wave of sand. Great composition and colors! Love it!
-Daman
Registered on December 16, 2009, 21 Posts, 176 Comments
Comment posted by Tom Nevesely on December 30, 2009 at 11:59 AM
This is really great Stan! I love the light painting on the dune, the star effect on the moon and the stars.
Registered on June 14, 2005, 147 Posts, 1550 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on December 30, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Stan,

Do I dare go against the grain? I guess I do if I'm to give you my honest feedback. I'll start by saying that I don't dislike this by any stretch. Your dune work is unsurpassed and kudos to you for your creativity. I really like the simple, yet bold color contrast between the dune and the sky. However, here's my rub. Can't think of another word, but to me this just looks "mechanical." I like the idea of painting the rim of the dune, but that's what it looks like - a flash light painting the rim of the dune. I do know the moon is "natural," because if you did anything otherwise, you would disclose that - but to me it just looks mechanical or if I may say, digital. The only thing that keeps it real is that it is slightly elongated - pretty much matching the length of the exposure.

Ok, so there, I said it. Maybe I woke up on the wrong side of the bed and I'll feel better about this one after the new year... :smile:

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by Albert Darmo on December 30, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Hi Stan :wavey: Man, you are on a roll :eek: this is just fabulous. Your creative lighting, Awesome combination of colors,detail and subjects. make this a winner . Again Happy New Year :toast:
Albert Darmo Canada
Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Metternich on December 30, 2009 at 5:20 PM
I find it a little interesting that sometimes you (if my memory is right) comment about not liking the more creative approaches to landscape shots here on the forum, yet post this wonderfully creative shot! This is beautiful and creative. Excellent job. Keep them coming. :toast:
Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments
Comment posted by Stan Rose on December 30, 2009 at 6:50 PM
Thanks, folks!
Chris & others: The moon was at half phase here, and just as with any bright object it will give you the star effects with a small aperature.

Mark: what can i tell you--i have multiple personalities, and we don't always agree with each other :wink:

Lon: I hear you, thanks for the input. FWIW this is actually meant to look 'mechanical' in the sense that i wasnt trying to create a natural artistic scene, i was more trying to create a contrived though interesting scene--basically to illustrate exactly what it was that i did here, which was to wave a flashlight at the dunes. So, i wasnt trying to create something necessarily surreal, but rather something accessible, something anyone with a flashlight could go out and see for themselves. That's why i was of two minds about the 'moonstar', although with my lousy eyesight and dirty glasses, the moon probably looked more like the one here than some crisp detailed shot taken with a 500 mm lens. :smile:
Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Metternich on December 30, 2009 at 7:14 PM
"Mark: what can i tell you--i have multiple personalities"

Me too. :smile:
Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments
Comment posted by Sam Chrysanthou on December 30, 2009 at 10:49 PM
Great work! Love the moon star, crisp star points and the contrast with the warm, lit dune and inky sky.
Registered on December 18, 2007, 71 Posts, 1191 Comments
Comment posted by Doug Roane on December 31, 2009 at 4:38 AM
It looks like the star of Christmas! The glowing orange dune contrasts nicely with the blue sky. Nicely done, Stan!
Registered on December 12, 2008, 213 Posts, 2226 Comments
Comment posted by Ricardo La Piettra on December 31, 2009 at 8:23 AM
Damn!
This is truly unique, Stan, beautiful.
Registered on July 22, 2009, 62 Posts, 730 Comments
Comment posted by Gabi Lach on December 31, 2009 at 9:45 AM
Beautiful, Stan. Great mood here. I wish you many happy dune photos in 2010! :smile:
Registered on May 1, 2007, 101 Posts, 3187 Comments
Comment posted by Rajeev Thomas on December 31, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Stan...you are the DUNIST ..!!! :wavey: This is very creative...the moon star looks great...beautiful details.... love the idea.... :toast: Happy Duning in 2010 and may the Dunist bring better pictures in 2010!!! :toast: Thank you for continuing to inspire us.....
Registered on February 20, 2008, 0 Posts, 291 Comments
Comment posted by Morris McClung on December 31, 2009 at 6:21 PM
More good stuff! I see this one as the back cover to the book. :biggrin:
Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments
Comment posted by Stan Rose on December 31, 2009 at 6:47 PM
Thanks for all the kind remarks, folks! :toast:
Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments
Comment posted by Art Escobado on December 31, 2009 at 7:18 PM
The blues and browns and the gold contrast very well against each other.
Registered on January 7, 2007, 0 Posts, 775 Comments