Dangerous Dunes

Gallery: LandscapePosted August 9, 2013482 views24 comments

I went to the dunes yesterday in search of sunflowers and storms. I found both. A little too much of the latter though--this big thunderstorm was building all around me as i stood on top of a 700 foot tall dune, and lighting was flashing within a couple miles. I was not the highest point around; i made sure i was a bit lower than the highest spot

But it was still pretty crazy and I probably overstayed my safety margin by just a bit--the light was as dramatic as ive seen in the dunes and it just kept getting more vivid as the storm got closer--this was the last shot(s) i took before running downward to relative safety.
5Dmkii; 70-300; 3 img stitch at f/16
C&C Welcome!

Comments

24 comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on August 9, 2013 at 5:06 PM

In case you're curious, that line of vegetation on the bottom is sunflowers--here's a closer look

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on August 9, 2013 at 5:12 PM

The drama here is incredible. I really like the stark contrast between the golden dunes and dark sky. The vegetation in the lower right is a bit distracting, I think you could crop it for more of a square (even though I hate squares!). In this case, it will do better to rid of it. The other line of vegetation creates some nice leading lines with the other dunes, but I could also see this without that too. Wonder if you have a horizontal version from perhaps a lower dune? This is still pretty epic though.

Registered on October 31, 2011, 170 Posts, 1240 Comments

Comment posted by James Fougère on August 9, 2013 at 5:21 PM

I would say this classifies as a "dramatic scene"!! Crazy weather! I picked up a lightning detection shutter release device, but have never used it! I should come and hang around with you

Amazing contrast between the light and dark zones.

There are some options to crop off both the top and bottom and focus on the center of the scene, but that is a personal choice.

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on August 9, 2013 at 5:26 PM

thanks guys, yeah i also did a horizontal stitch of the same scene just before i took this. dont know if ill post it here...

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on August 9, 2013 at 6:22 PM

That is an amazing shot, Stan! Really, really cool looking and very dramatic! Don't think I would have been out there with the lightning but it paid off for you...as long as you made it back ok.

Super Cool image!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Barry Ashenhurst on August 9, 2013 at 6:31 PM

Yeah, this is a great shot, Stan. Drama, colour, interesting shapes and tonal mixture, it has everything.

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

Comment posted by John Mumaw on August 9, 2013 at 6:34 PM

Crazy light and skies! The contrast between the dunes and the mountains are great. What really catches my eye is the diagonal line running from the dune 'peaks' up to and through the mountain peaks. Serendipitous!
I also agree about losing the line of vegetation near the lower right corner.

Registered on September 9, 2005, 62 Posts, 2289 Comments

Comment posted by Jared Warren on August 9, 2013 at 7:34 PM

Wow, great drama here. But, dude, be careful out there! The dune color is sweet. I agree with what's been said about the vegetation in the lower right. Personally I'd be ok with a square crop on this one.

Registered on May 11, 2012, 84 Posts, 931 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on August 9, 2013 at 9:01 PM

I would see it large if you had posted it large.

Even at this size, though, a remarkable image. The storm is ominous; the sand looks tortured. I can see wind sweeps down the dunes. The rainfall is like an approaching steel curtain. WOW!!

I do agree with the others about the strip of vegetation in the LRC.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on August 9, 2013 at 9:05 PM

Wow Stan! You do such a great job with these shots.... FANTASTIC storm light.... and light sculptures in the foreground. I just love this but as Jared said, you really need to be careful!

The close up is fantastic too but I like the drama in the larger view best.

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on August 9, 2013 at 9:17 PM

Wow, what a neat experience (after you come back alive!)

As thrilling as this entire image is, I'm drawn like a magent to the color and light of the dune itself. You could easily make this two separate shots - one as it is presented, and one with a top crop to within a 1/2 inch of the top of the dune. Beautiful and exciting.

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on August 9, 2013 at 9:56 PM

Dripping with drama, Stan. One more for losing the bisecting line across a corner. A definite comp no-no.

Excellent pp even though you are stretching the boundaries of reality here. The golden sands are just too appealing against the dark mountains and angry skies. And, I like that "s" curve of sunflowers in the foreground. Cool shot.

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on August 9, 2013 at 11:25 PM

Thanks, Chase--it does feel a bit 'missing something' when i crop the corner--but the majority does have a good argument on their side.
Philip--yeah, sorry i forgot the large version. Oh well, whats a couple hundred pixels between friends?

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on August 10, 2013 at 12:14 AM

That's a dramatic and stunning image Stan! I love the way the sand almost looks like flowing liquid. The square crop also works well to showcase all the elements in the image. Great capture!

Registered on November 24, 2008, 304 Posts, 3211 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on August 10, 2013 at 9:58 PM

That is delicious light, painting the dunes butterscotch with those wicked looking mountains in the bg. This jumps off the page even as a thumbnail. Beautiful work

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Pullen on August 11, 2013 at 9:27 AM

Very dramatic, very nice!

Ron

Registered on December 18, 2005, 74 Posts, 1413 Comments

Comment posted by Pavel Cakl on August 11, 2013 at 1:36 PM

What a shot Stan !

Registered on April 8, 2010, 7 Posts, 178 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on August 11, 2013 at 2:06 PM

Intense lighting and weather Stan. I wish the left part of the dune where the 2 curving lines approach each other were in the shot to complete the oval, though maybe they never did connect. For some reason my brain wants that connected. Very dynamic with rain veil.

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

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on August 11, 2013 at 4:11 PM

Crazy colors. What dunes? The green brc kinda distracts but overall I like the comp. Prob could be a dramatic bw too. Way to not get fried ;)

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by Shantikara Valuska on August 11, 2013 at 5:46 PM

Stunning colors and drama here. Good that you got down safely

This looks threatening.

Registered on July 25, 2011, 38 Posts, 451 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on August 12, 2013 at 12:51 AM

Great Sand Dunes, Aaron. My fav park.

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by David Edwards on August 12, 2013 at 6:04 AM

Awesome shot Stan. Those dunes are so creamy and velvety in that great storm light. I can only wonder what your "safety margin" was... looks like there was some definite greenage coming your way! In two minds about the line of veg in the bottom right. It's kind of ok because my eye moves to it, but then to the other line of veg in the left-of-centre, which then keeps me in the image. It doesn't pull me out of the image, but it does pull me away from the main show.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on August 13, 2013 at 1:23 AM

great scene, well captured. lots of drama. stuff in lower right distracts a little ...

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

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on August 13, 2013 at 2:18 AM

Crazy light Stan. I like how the cloud is reflecting the red of the dunes. Very neat.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments