Sinuous Sunset

Gallery: LandscapePosted March 14, 2012347 views19 comments

I found this cool curve in the dune at sunrise, and figured it would see some nice light at sunset. I spent the day scouting the dunes, then returned a few hours before sunset to setup my camera. I used rear tilt to skew the perspective a bit and allow the dune to fill the composition. This is one of the cool things you can do with large format.

I composed the scene so crest of the dune slid diagonally into the lower left corner. The light was moving very fast, and before I knew it, my foreground light was gone. I shot the photo anyway, and this is what I came up with.

Though it's not what I had originally planned, it was interesting to see the strands of light that extend into the lower right corner.

This image was pulled from my reject pile. I'd be curious what you guys think. I have uploaded a larger version as well.

Fuji Velveeta 50 8x10 | 1 second @ f/45 | Nikkor 150mm SW | Ebony RW810

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Martin W. Quinn on March 14, 2012 at 11:11 PM

Gorgeous shape to the dunes. I love the graduation of tones as the light falls off. It is missing something with the light in the foreground disappearing but it doesn't really distract.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 28 Posts, 189 Comments

Comment posted by Todd Liotine on March 14, 2012 at 11:30 PM

Ben very nice S curve, judging it against your other work I'm on the fence on this one. One thing I do notice is how well film transitions from light to shadow really beautifully and the color of the sand is perfect.

Registered on July 1, 2008, 131 Posts, 671 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Hyman on March 15, 2012 at 12:53 AM

Ben, Great curve and iconic view, and beautiful light. I think the sunlit portion of the dunes looks spot on, but the shaded side looks very dark.. I rarely comment on framing but in this image IMO, the white edging draws the eye out of the image. And perhaps that's what you intended.
Regards,
Carol

Registered on January 18, 2007, 597 Posts, 8062 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on March 15, 2012 at 1:38 AM

Beautiful shot Ben. Very nice use of light.

I would be tempted to warp down the left hillside a hair for more balance. As far as the dark shadows, it works here. I do have to re train my brain to allow for it though...

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by dean hebert on March 15, 2012 at 3:09 AM

I love the complex wave patterns in the sand as well as the vibrant colour. The curves of the dune leads me easily through the frame. I tempted to crop some of the bottom, it seems to brighten the comp a bit. You must have some really killer shots from here if this was going into your reject pile!

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

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on March 15, 2012 at 5:08 AM

nice colour and s-curve. i do wish that you had released the shutter moments before .... i can imagine what it might have been like!

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

Comment posted by Wayne Rhodus on March 15, 2012 at 7:28 AM

The negative space does create a very graphic image but I can see where having at least some detail in the fg shadows would have strengthened an already strong image.

Registered on November 16, 2003, 157 Posts, 3326 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on March 15, 2012 at 7:39 AM

This shot seems familiar...
The mood, the lines, color and composition all done well.
I can't imagine setting up a view camera in the summer with furnace winds (the only time I've been there), I'm guessing the methodical nature of large format shooting in this environment was quite rewarding.
Slowing down and meticulously setting up the shutter release being almost religious...

Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on March 15, 2012 at 11:29 AM

Ben,

Love this. The light and color are just beautiful and the composition flows wonderfully. Classic Velveeta in not being able to hold the shadows, but IMHO here is a case where the large empty area of darkness works very well in supporting the image. Most times <we> look for and comment on shadow detail, but there are plenty of situations where no detail works well, and this is certainly one of them.

Reject pile eh?

Lon

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on March 15, 2012 at 12:01 PM

Ben, I love this shot! Please keep it out of the reject pile

I agree with Lon that the dark shadows work really nice here. It just adds to the beautiful comp and wonderful look this has for me. The light and color is fantastic and I love the textures in the lower right corner as well, and those cool looking tracks half way up! Beautiful work.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Shrinivas Sharma on March 15, 2012 at 12:21 PM

Reject Pile

. Amazing Curve & lovely light.... No detail works very well here...

Registered on January 24, 2012, 33 Posts, 164 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on March 15, 2012 at 12:26 PM

Gorgeous light an rich color Ben. The "S" curve is beautiful and I love the smooth transtion of tones.

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

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on March 15, 2012 at 12:55 PM

The dark shadow on the left side works well here. Beautiful use of the light. Well composed and processed.I really like the mood here.

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

Comment posted by Vance Gese on March 15, 2012 at 1:03 PM

Certainly glad you saved this one from the reject pile as I think it is stunning. That sinuous S curve is gorgeous but the transition in light/shadow and color in the dune really makes this amazing. I don't find the shadow in the lower left objectionable at all; the curve disappearing into the darkness adds a bit of mystery to the image. If there is some remaining detail in the lower left on the 8x10, wonder if a drum scan would allow you to regain some of that detail. Beautiful as it stands though.

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

Comment posted by Rodrigo Sandoval on March 15, 2012 at 5:24 PM

Perfect composition, perfect light and colors.

Registered on April 4, 2009, 13 Posts, 254 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on March 16, 2012 at 3:17 PM

Moral of the story--Don't plan, just make the best of what comes along. This is excellent. The curves and contrast are very captivating.

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

Comment posted by Doug Roane on March 16, 2012 at 6:11 PM

my reject pile sure as heck doesn't look as good as this! This is excellent, Ben - it balances really well and needs to be on a wall!

Registered on December 12, 2008, 213 Posts, 2226 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on March 17, 2012 at 6:43 AM

Ben, this is an intriguing composition for me and the details of the textures at the right are exceptionally beautiful to my eye.

Peter

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

Comment posted by Ben Horne on March 18, 2012 at 4:35 PM

Thanks for the feedback everyone. You've pointed out some things I hadn't considered. I know I'll return to this location either later this year, or early next year, and give it another shot. That being said, I think this image will live in my portfolio. Thanks again.

Registered on August 27, 2009, 51 Posts, 959 Comments