Rocks & Sand

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 23, 2011249 views32 comments

I have been in a rut lately. Not wanting to photograph much of anything and even when I do make an effort to go out, I can't seem to really see anything to make a photograph of. While I spent the afternoon walking along the beach I did see something among the rocks, but I was not certain that anything was making any visual sense. After looking at this for a while now, and making crop to square, it is growing on me and I have come to realize, let your eye wander and have your fingers follow the impulse to snap that darn shutter even if you don't think you have anything, you just might.

For your viewing pleasure. Oh, and your critiques and comments much appreciated.

Comments

32 comments

Comment posted by Abdullaziz Bin Ali on January 23, 2011 at 4:25 AM

We all pass by this mood

this is beautiful
i love the light and shadows here

Registered on May 31, 2009, 112 Posts, 1590 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on January 23, 2011 at 5:20 AM

This is a beauutiful image. I like the lines, structures and the play of light and shadow here.

Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments

Comment posted by Balakumar Kaushik on January 23, 2011 at 5:24 AM

Lovely image Youssef. Very artistic. The scattered pebbles, their shadows and the lines left behind by the receding waters look amazing. The warm tones along with that sheen off the sand surface make this image for me.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 98 Posts, 1403 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on January 23, 2011 at 6:51 AM

Youssef, the alienation effect with the metallic look works well, great aesthetic!

Peter

Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on January 23, 2011 at 8:54 AM

Youssef, I think you ended up with a wonderful composition here.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on January 23, 2011 at 9:54 AM

A good find,Youseff. Well composed with the formations (rocks),
lines, and textures. The light is very special and the b&w coversion
works for me.

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on January 23, 2011 at 10:38 AM

Wonderful shot, Youssef. Love the textures and the monochromatic toning.

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Goldwasser on January 23, 2011 at 10:59 AM

Very cool light and textures!

Registered on May 10, 2009, 127 Posts, 970 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on January 23, 2011 at 11:38 AM

Although recognizable, it's the abstract pattern that has me looking here, Youssef. Maybe a bit of pinball or marbles look and feel that caught my eye. Wonderful capture.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Tal on January 23, 2011 at 11:57 AM

Wow, Youssef! This may well be my all time favorite image of yours. Wonderful composition and tones.

Guy

Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce King on January 23, 2011 at 11:58 AM

The tones and textures are outstanding! Nicely done.

Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on January 23, 2011 at 12:58 PM

The textures in the sand and rocks is very nice.

- Dan

Registered on November 1, 2003, 473 Posts, 7980 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on January 23, 2011 at 1:26 PM

This is superb Youssef! The metallic sheen , along with the rivelets and rocks just blow me away. Also, the square comp works very well here.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Stough on January 23, 2011 at 1:35 PM

Very well seen Youssef. The strong backlight is perfect for this composition. I agree that sometimes the wandering eye can find the light even when the mind is muddy.

Registered on November 20, 2010, 26 Posts, 273 Comments

Comment posted by Rafael Rojas on January 23, 2011 at 2:08 PM

Do not worry about those times when inspiration seems far away and you seem to be fighting against yourself. In those times, just forget about photography, forget about the "need" of taking images and go back to where real inspiration is: nature. Go for a stroll, leave the breeze move your hair and listen to the sounds around you. Forget about the pressure of the camera, and forget about images, forums and websites. Just be yourself, and if you do not seem to "see" anything, take the time to rest, visually speaking. All artists NEED those periods, there can be no renewal or impulse if there has not been a slowering down before! Gorgeous image by the way. It has a huge amoung of movement, and even if you recognise the subjects, i was quickly imagining they represent kind of jurassic animals creeping along the sand...I am sure the next time I glance away, they will have reached another position :)
Relax, and enjoy man. Your art is there, just leave it alone for a while, and he will come back stronger than ever! ;-)

Registered on March 1, 2009, 56 Posts, 623 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on January 23, 2011 at 2:14 PM

Not bad for being in a rut, Youssef!

I really like this one. It has excellent balance and the square format works very nicely. The flow lines in the sand give the impression the stones are moving.

This works for me!

--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by James Fougère on January 23, 2011 at 4:38 PM

This is nice! Nice tones

Registered on October 25, 2010, 41 Posts, 831 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on January 23, 2011 at 4:50 PM

A really nice monochromatic image with nice light and golden tones.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on January 23, 2011 at 9:13 PM

Don't worry. The light will find you when it's ready. Looks like it was waiting for you this day. This sort of reminds of Anil Rao's series. Nicely done, IMO.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Yan Zhang on January 23, 2011 at 10:00 PM

Very strong image, I like the texture, light and shapes.

Registered on April 10, 2010, 28 Posts, 292 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on January 23, 2011 at 10:39 PM

Yup, it's a slump breaker!

I doubt you were in one, but we all feel that way now and then. I like the arrangement of rocks here. But what I really like is the luminance, and the bronze like color. Nice!

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Myers on January 23, 2011 at 11:24 PM

I like the interesting interplay of randomness and pattern that is augmented by the great textures and light. Wonderful image.

Registered on September 1, 2008, 85 Posts, 757 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on January 23, 2011 at 11:25 PM

Lovely, Youssef, I'm glad you let your impulse take control. This really speaks to me, well done! I hope you manage to get out of your rut (though judging by this, you're not really in one

)

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on January 24, 2011 at 4:47 AM

super light, lines and forms. well done, despite the rut.

Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments

Comment posted by Tyson Fisher on January 24, 2011 at 1:29 PM

This is great Youssef! The curving lines in the sand, soft light and contrasting rocks all make for a powerful image.

Registered on September 17, 2008, 44 Posts, 623 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on January 24, 2011 at 1:39 PM

I also was in that rut. Slowly working out of it. I really like this though, well done!

Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on January 24, 2011 at 4:47 PM

Great lesson Youssef! I really like the graphic quality to this, the arrangement of the elements and the monochromatic tones. Great balance of highlights and shadows as well.

Hope this got you out of your rut!

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on January 24, 2011 at 4:55 PM

This better get you out of your so called rut. Dang, this is sweeeeet!

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on January 24, 2011 at 6:24 PM

Very cool, Youssef!!! Excellent!

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Barry Ashenhurst on January 25, 2011 at 1:30 AM

Hey mate, we've all been there so don't sweat it. I take my dog everwhere with me and sometimes I let him find the shot coz I can't see anything. Shoot happens eventually! There's nothing wrong with this. It's a hanger!

Registered on August 4, 2009, 253 Posts, 455 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on January 25, 2011 at 12:07 PM

Magnificent golden light Youssef! Wonderful textures and patterns as well.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on January 25, 2011 at 5:25 PM

I'm a fan of the metalic look of this. The textures and shadows make an interesting abstract. Glad you saw this.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments