Coral Pink Dunes (+RP)

Here is the initial version in portrait orientation. The foreground feels too empty to me, but I do like the lines. I probably should have set up closer to the dried plant to bring it down in the frame, but the light was fading and it didn't happen. Your thoughts?

Good job blending these images Jared. Looks very natural to my eye. I think I like the landscape composition better than the vertical as well. The leading lines in the sand are really strong in the vertical orientation, but the dried plant seems too central in the shot.

Jared - awesome light and comp. The landscape works well as the shape in the foreground is more prominent and striking for me. Love the colors as well. Nice work

Love the leading sand lines, as far as the twig, as long as it was native to where you were, I have no problem with adding it to the scene. I do think the square crop works best because of the position of the twig. Had it been lower in the full vertical I would have preferred that framing. Ron

I like your original landscape post Jared. The composition is more harmonious with the plant in the lower right corner. Fantastic color.

Beautiful capture! I'll bet you looked around a while, before finding a foreground subject. Certainly couldn't have placed it there, unless you wanted to photograph your footprints.

Nice image from a place where it is challenging to get good landscapes. I'd say a foreground element such as you wanted to have here often enhances an image, but this dried out specimen is simply not attractive.

Both of them are strong compositions, but I also slightly prefer the first image. However, I have to agree with Jeffrey about the plant. It's not that attractive and serves more as an impediment to the eye as it flows with the lines in the sand rather than as a compelling foreground. I hope you got some images without it.

The landscape composition makes the sky color a bigger element, and it also drawsmore attention to the plant and its shadows, which echo the shadows of sand ripples. Very nice.

I dont care about how pretty or not it is--but the plant just looks out of place here, even if i hadnt read your comments. I like the landscape thought. I also prefer the vertical.

I am another who prefers the vertical version. The color in the clouds is wonderful and the textures and patterns in the sand are strong enough I don't think you needed the plant at all.

Though one to choose. I prefer the first version, but I would probably prefer the vertical if the plant would not have been there. Maybe you have one of those too? I like the pattern in the sand a lot.

Nice sky and wonderful lines in the dune Jared. I like the vertical version better minus the plant as it seems distracting to me. Great job on this.

Lovely light and color, and the comp works very well.

Really cool image Jared. I like the vertical one best. Great line and color.

nice light on the Dunes, lovely image Jared

Roel wrote: "Though one to choose. I prefer the first version, but I would probably prefer the vertical if the plant would not have been there. Maybe you have one of those too? I like the pattern in the sand a lot. "

I agree with Roel's comment. The plant really doesn't work here, since it distracts from the wonderful lines and textures in the sand. The background and sky look very nice in both versions.

--P

Thanks for the very helpful feedback. Sadly, I didn't have this same comp (with the best light) without the dried plant. You live and learn I guess. I don't have a lot of experience with the cloning/healing tools in photoshop but gave it a shot. Kicked my butt pretty much - trying to perfectly match the smooth gradations of sand, light, texture, lines, was beyond my current skill. Maybe someday I'll revisit when my cloning/healing skills are better. Anyhow, here's the vertical version without the plant, with a few further adjustments. Final thoughts?

Hi Jared, I love the light, lines and wonderful textures this has. Your vert comp works great for me. Looks like the last vert comp with the cloning worked out pretty nice (at least at this size) It is a wonderful scene.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

The last one is indeed the best, Jared. The plant would have worked in regular sand an a bit more to the front but the one without draws attention to the texture. Beautiful!