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The Color of Thunder
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The Color of Thunder

by Michael Anderson

Gallery: LandscapePosted June 2, 20111,083 views36 comments
Lencois Maranhenses Sand Dunes, Brazil.

The dunes of Lencois Maranhenses are like nature's canvas- the golden white sands reflect the full spectrum of sunset colors into the watery atmosphere, intensifying and bathing the scene in dazzling light like nowhere else I've ever seen. There are a few rare places on earth that have just the right atmospheric conditions to create extraordinary light; Patagonia, the high altitude Himalaya, the white granite walls of Yosemite- but this little known corner of the world, empty and quiet, just might have the best atmospheric conditions of them all.

Thanks for all of the input on my last post!

-Mike

Comments

36 comments
Comment posted by Eva McDermott on June 2, 2011 at 9:28 PM
Breath taking work Mike! The light and contrasts are superb. :toast:
Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments
Comment posted by Taylor Reed on June 2, 2011 at 9:28 PM
Dude.. :toast:
Registered on February 18, 2010, 26 Posts, 556 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on June 2, 2011 at 9:46 PM
Man this doesn't seem real....I really want to add S. America more to my portfolio and you have really put this place on the map(for good or bad). I hope to visit one day and get conditions half as nice as these. I haven't been able to comment on this last round from here yet, but I have been loving them! The color contrast is amazing and the light and mood is awesome. :toast:
Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments
Comment posted by Cristiano Xavier on June 2, 2011 at 10:03 PM
Welcome to Brazil !!!
You did a good job in this peaceful image.
I know the state of maranhão but not lençóis.
Next time around here just let me know !

Cristiano Xavier
Registered on May 30, 2011, 10 Posts, 24 Comments
Comment posted by James Fougère on June 2, 2011 at 10:29 PM
Man, this it like viewing through a portal to a scene on another class "E" planet :cool: Unreal :eek: WOW
Registered on October 25, 2010, 41 Posts, 831 Comments
Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on June 2, 2011 at 10:31 PM
I have seen some amazing things in person, and in photographs. It's almost not comprehendable some of nature's displays. I've never seen anything remotely like this, it's like a dream. it's hard to post a killer image, and then better it twice, but you have done that! I think you're putting this place on everyone's bucket list!

Chris
Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments
Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on June 2, 2011 at 11:52 PM
Definitely my favorite of your recent photographs. Beautiful conditions...this must be amazing to see. The colors are so unusual. It's just not something one expects to see. Beautiful blue waters and rolling, desolate dunes. I am putting this place on my list of places to visit before I die.

Edit: Just took a look at your video. Very moving, and it's a great piece of videography. One thing I have had trouble with myself this past year is after some of the places I have visited and things I have seen over the past 6 years is that it is so difficult to return to the norm (The good ole USofA). Nothing seems quite right here sometimes, everything can get so complicated. Don't get me wrong, I love this country, but the dangerous, exciting, and exotic pull you in ways that are almost impossible to put into words and they never truly let go.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is that I'm not sure whether to thank you or curse you for posting that video. It's only brought back the wanderlust and a flood of memories.

Again, great piece. I'll be watching that from time to time.

Cheers man.
Registered on February 21, 2010, 133 Posts, 1509 Comments
Comment posted by Pramod Viswanath on June 2, 2011 at 11:55 PM
Remote, soothing and sublime! Extremely peaceful and healing image this.
Registered on December 4, 2008, 60 Posts, 697 Comments
Comment posted by Kartik Venkatarama on June 2, 2011 at 11:58 PM
Another stunner, perhaps the best since your first in this series (from back in Jan).
Registered on July 27, 2007, 197 Posts, 830 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Fach on June 3, 2011 at 12:22 AM
Mike: Striking colors and fantastic light and comp. Excellent title as well. :toast: >=))>
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on June 3, 2011 at 1:30 AM
Mike,

I don't think even one's imagination could take us to this place that you were able to experience. The images are spectacular, yet how can we feel it? I don't mean that to take away from your image here, I'm just trying to say that I just can't grasp what the experience may have been like - I can try, but nothing beats the original.

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by Rick Lundh on June 3, 2011 at 1:42 AM
Cummon MANNN! You are killing it here. Another home run Mike! :toast: Love the light and clouds and the way you composed this. I do feel that there is a bit too much of that patch of sand goin on in the fg. A crop just below that twig makes it more geometrically mysterious... oh, and maybe cloning out that/those twigs.
Registered on April 28, 2004, 774 Posts, 4351 Comments
Comment posted by Stuart Williams on June 3, 2011 at 1:53 AM
gorgeous in every way. extraordinary light. it seems to me that the next time you travel to this place, you might take a 6x17 (or at least a 6x12) camera - some panos coming out of here might make some more magic.
Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments
Comment posted by Abdullaziz Bin Ali on June 3, 2011 at 3:56 AM
What a beautiful light
this location is really beautiful
Registered on May 31, 2009, 112 Posts, 1590 Comments
Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on June 3, 2011 at 7:31 AM
I love the light on that shower up ahead. Another excellent shot but I feel the composition is not as compelling as your last post which is the reason I favour it.
Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Chambers on June 3, 2011 at 8:26 AM
Wow! This has such a wonderful feel to it. That turquoise water is so inviting while the dramatic sky tends to say "stay out of the water". A great contradiction and nice drama. You're killing me with these shots!
Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on June 3, 2011 at 8:44 AM
Beautiful! What an amazing feel of emotion this has.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on June 3, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Another amazing image. Kind of you to share this amazing place and your stellar take on it.
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on June 3, 2011 at 11:10 AM
Hi Mike - I guess I prefer you recent post to this, though both eye catching. The sky in this image looks a little over processed and dark compared to the lower part of the image. Maybe your artistic intension. The blue and magenta in the sky just appear a bit over sat. Still, a real unique shot from a fresh landscape. Keep them coming!
Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments
Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on June 3, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Certainly another amazing shot. Each of your posts from this location is so unique that they're hard to compare, but I suppose that's the natural inclination. So for me this is not quite as compelling as your last post but, that said, still a fabulous shot that I could look at for quite some time.
Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments
Comment posted by Shaun Mazurek on June 3, 2011 at 12:48 PM
Wow, These just keep getting better :)
Registered on June 12, 2010, 21 Posts, 162 Comments
Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on June 3, 2011 at 2:27 PM
Doh!!! :confused: :confused: :confused: :toast:
Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments
Comment posted by Jason Woerly on June 3, 2011 at 5:54 PM
I'm just now seeing your newest work from this location and they are all spectacular. No critiques from me. I'd love to see some large prints, any chance of some of your newer stuff making it's way to the Fielder Gallery?
Registered on May 4, 2006, 8 Posts, 101 Comments
Comment posted by David Edwards on June 3, 2011 at 6:26 PM
Another spectacular shot in this series, Mike. An incredible assortment of rainbow colors in this one. It's so amazing it's difficult to grasp it's reality having never seen anything like this place. Your comp again has wonderful lines and form.
Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments
Comment posted by Vance Gese on June 3, 2011 at 9:32 PM
Phenomenal, Michael. More than phenomenal.
Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments
Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on June 4, 2011 at 1:01 AM
MIke,

I am sure this shot was difficult to process getting the contrast and the colors just right. I like the sky as presented. I think you could darken up the lower left portion of the foreground a little, it is quite empty over there and considerably brighter than the sky. Also, the reflected portion of the water looks like it could use a bit more contrast. It is very hard to tell at this size though. Stunning material. I Googled this place a while back after I read post of yours where you mentioned it. Pretty amazing stuff. I like your composition too. It has great depth and aesthetically pleasing geometric angles.

Michael
Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments
Comment posted by Stan Rose on June 4, 2011 at 1:40 AM
Spectacular!! But....crop the bottom third and it would be SPECTACULAR!!!!! :wink:
Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments
Comment posted by Andreas Resch on June 4, 2011 at 4:56 AM
Great drama, Michael. The clouds are intense. Again I like the mood of the place where dry sand meets water - that not only a great combination in color but in ideas as well. Of course the composition is superb as well with all the soft curves of the dunes in there.
Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments
Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on June 4, 2011 at 9:44 AM
i think you know my opinion of your collection from this place :rolleyes:
Registered on June 1, 2009, 372 Posts, 2282 Comments
Comment posted by Guy Tal on June 4, 2011 at 11:13 AM
This is an absolutely amazing series, Mike. This one is particularly striking as it goes so much farther than the mere interesting scene. The composition, rich array of color and surreal light make it an experience in itself.

Guy
Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments
Comment posted by Morris McClung on June 4, 2011 at 2:13 PM
Another jewel-like image with amazing color and light. Lots of drama as always with your work.
Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Metternich on June 4, 2011 at 3:04 PM
Wow! Nothing else to say. Like I said, on to Brazil! :toast:
Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments
Comment posted by Scott Miller on June 4, 2011 at 5:44 PM
Wow, just stunning.
Registered on May 9, 2011, 23 Posts, 322 Comments
Comment posted by Gino Cortez on June 5, 2011 at 1:04 PM
The pastel color pallete is remarkable. The lighting and composition compliment each other nicely. A magical shot!
Registered on November 23, 2010, 57 Posts, 396 Comments
Comment posted by Anil Rao on June 5, 2011 at 1:05 PM
Exquisite!
Registered on November 15, 2003, 234 Posts, 4923 Comments
Comment posted by Daniel Ewert on June 5, 2011 at 10:01 PM
Amazing! Must have been awesome to experience this. Looking forward to seeing more of your travels!
Registered on June 2, 2009, 103 Posts, 1500 Comments