White on White

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 31, 2011653 views24 comments

White Sands National Monument - New Mexico, USA

1/80 sec at f/16
Canon EOS 5D MkII with 17-40mm lens at 40mm

White Sands was the perfect place to play with minimalistic compositions. The overcast skies provided incredibly soft, filtered light that left the sands looking clean and white. Normally, a golden glow would be welcome, but here, the cooler light worked perfectly.

So - what do you think? Do you like the simplicity of the shot? Or is it too boring for your tastes?

Thanks in advance!

Comments

24 comments

Comment posted by Dorin Bofan on January 31, 2011 at 7:37 AM

I love it, Varina! Nothing too boring here. It's quiet, it has deep meanings and captures the essence of the place so well. Simplicity is the quality that stands behind the greatest landscape images. Fantastic work!

Registered on April 30, 2007, 122 Posts, 3086 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on January 31, 2011 at 8:03 AM

WOW!! This is unbelievably beautiful! Great comp, and what a perfect sky to go along with the sand. Superb Varina.

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

Comment posted by Peter Richter on January 31, 2011 at 8:20 AM

An exceptional picture, Varina! I especially like the weightlessness of the composition.

Peter

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on January 31, 2011 at 8:39 AM

Not boring at all. This is beautifully done, and what a wonderful feel it has. I really enjoy looking at this, Varina.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on January 31, 2011 at 9:54 AM

This is great, Varina. Very harmonious blend of colors and textures.

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

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on January 31, 2011 at 9:59 AM

Everything about this is beautiful. I don't know if landscapes are usually elegant, but this one is elegant and exquisite.

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

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on January 31, 2011 at 11:24 AM

Gorgeous color and processing Varina. Wonderful work!

Michael

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments

Comment posted by Jeff Loomis on January 31, 2011 at 11:37 AM

Funny, I stopped by to look for some snowy landscapes and thought this was one till I opened it. Once my mind caught up, I let my eyes wander around this for a while. I like it a lot. Great wavy textures and the sandy ridge makes a great line that adds balance to the image. Very subtle color tones that make me linger. Well done.

Registered on January 26, 2010, 68 Posts, 719 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on January 31, 2011 at 12:06 PM

A very minimalistic composition but I absolutely love the simplicity of this shot. The sky goes along pretty well with the sand. there's nothing boring about this image. Fantastic work

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

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on January 31, 2011 at 12:29 PM

perfect minimalism. i think the line may be a touch central here but it matters only a little to me.

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

Comment posted by Alex Mody on January 31, 2011 at 3:38 PM

This is a really cool image. I don't think it's too boring at all. I like the simplicity and I appreciate that you sought out this composition in what I'd perceive to be rather crappy light/clouds. I think this is quietly beautiful.

Registered on December 25, 2007, 163 Posts, 1896 Comments

Comment posted by dean hebert on January 31, 2011 at 5:53 PM

Elegant shot, nice detail. The line of the dune seems to lead me out of the frame.

Registered on August 4, 2010, 70 Posts, 1132 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Smith on January 31, 2011 at 6:20 PM

I find this very intriguing. The purity of white and waves hold my interest. I will admit to wondering about the crop...a bit off left and the right. My purity meter is having some strife with the dark strip of clouds splitting the distant light on rt ...and the empty (relative) portion on far left. Both are my personal prefs. that take nothing away from this stunning shot...well done. Ken S

Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on January 31, 2011 at 6:59 PM

I know, it's my second comment, but I just can't help it. I've been drawn back to this image time after time today. This has to be one of the best landscapes I've seen in a long while. I gave that same compliment to Jay Nielsen last week on his Convergence image. Between the two of you, I don't know which I would choose, but thankfully I don't have to choose, I can view BOTH. This image is spellbinding.

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

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on January 31, 2011 at 7:42 PM

Just gorgeous from my perspective . . . subtle but very striking.

Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on January 31, 2011 at 7:48 PM

Stunning, Varina. Minimalist, wonderfully yes, but your exquisite composition and the beautiful tones engage the viewer and hold one captivated. Incredible.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by Jeremy Kessler on January 31, 2011 at 8:14 PM

Beautiful, would love to have it in my portfolio.

Registered on September 13, 2007, 36 Posts, 1283 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on February 1, 2011 at 9:17 AM

I love the beautiful simplicity of the lines and textures Varina. The faint hint of blues on the horizon is magnificent.

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on February 1, 2011 at 10:22 AM

I love the concept and execution with this one, Varina. Excellent use of the ridge line and the opposing lines on either side of the ridge. The color palette is lovely.

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

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on February 1, 2011 at 12:57 PM

This is really, really nice. Boring? No way! I like the simplicity and peacefulness of this image, Verina. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on February 1, 2011 at 4:06 PM

Varina,

Not boring at all! Simple and beautifully crafted. Gives me a sense of loneliness...

Lon

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

Comment posted by Varina Patel on February 1, 2011 at 4:41 PM

Thanks everyone! I'm pleased that most everyone seems to like this one as much as I do. ;) I always prefer the simplest compositions, and this one is no exception.

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment for me. It means a lot to me to hear what you all think.

Registered on August 22, 2008, 45 Posts, 1578 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Fricke on February 3, 2011 at 12:07 AM

I like the simplicity and subtleness of the image. There is some nice variation in the clouds and detail in the sand (even on the left side of the dune there are faint 'sandfall' lines) to keep it from being "boring". Nicely seen and executed Varina!

Registered on January 19, 2007, 133 Posts, 1448 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on April 25, 2011 at 11:50 PM

Simple and very effective minimalist comp IMO..
I especially like the soft cool whites and leading line that meets the horizon..
If quiet beauty is boring, I'd rather be bored

Beautiful work

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments