Mesquite Flat & Clouds

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 12, 2014117 views10 comments

I took this about a week ago at Mesquite Flat in Death Valley. I really wanted to go for a dreamlike quality and semi abstract feel for this one. Kind of, the graphic elements functioning similar to how they would in a pure abstract, but still leaving them in context, within the landscape. I also wanted the clouds to feel something like the background fabric of a dream, with a slightly rough texture to them, hopefully adding or at least complementing psychological content.

Well, anyway, that's the idea. C & C welcome!

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on February 12, 2014 at 2:25 AM

Richard, I really like just about everything about this image. The large view is pretty incredible. The textures, shadows in the fore and mid ground, and the hazy mtns and sky, beautiful. I think if it were mine , I would look at reducing the amount of sky slightly and in the large view there appears to be a halo along the ridgeline that may need some work. Other than that, very artistic.

Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments

Comment posted by Ronald Murphy on February 12, 2014 at 8:10 AM

Seeing the large image makes all the difference. Very nice.

Registered on March 13, 2012, 279 Posts, 975 Comments

Comment posted by Navin Sarma on February 12, 2014 at 10:12 AM

Richard --- I love this image. Composition is perfect with the spot of light in a sweet spot. I'm not sure what is hihlighted in the sun but it's beautiful and dreamy. The soft contrasts of this BW enhance the subtle mood

Registered on July 17, 2011, 233 Posts, 1373 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on February 12, 2014 at 12:25 PM

I'd say you did very well at creating a dreamy look, especially with all the drama in the foreground. There's a nice textural contrast between the fluffy clouds and the stark foreground. Sure wish I could see this even larger. I agree with Gary that there looks to be a halo along the skyline, but I like the 50:50 split.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on February 12, 2014 at 5:52 PM

I really love the strong graphical nature of this image. Beautiful. I might be inclined to clone out the stalks? in the middle ground? They tend to pull my eye a bit.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Chet Dowell on February 12, 2014 at 6:30 PM

I find this a beautifully mysterious image, Richard. You have done a stellar job finding a new take on the dunes. It really appeals to me. Chet

Registered on December 3, 2012, 237 Posts, 1171 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on February 13, 2014 at 12:00 AM

Moody and mysterious! I love this, Richard. The interplay of light and shadow is spectacular and the textures really come to life in the large version. Wonderful image.

Ed

Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on February 13, 2014 at 3:32 PM

Beautifully artistic Richard. What are the streaks against the black, snow? Regardless, they are a great touch.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Castillo on February 14, 2014 at 3:18 PM

Thank you everyone, for your C & C's!

Gary and Mark, yes - those halos can be the worst. I'll definitely work on them. I may crop out some of the sky, though I kind of like it, too.

Harley, thank you - I'll clone out those stalks, too. They're kind of distracting me as well.

John, I'm sorry, I sure can be a little slow sometimes - now if I'm understanding right it's those nearly vertical, slightly right leaning streaks on the small formation that looks something like a cliff, which is lit up mostly in the lower right third? The whole thing's actually made of sand, and formed into patterns and a small "cliff band" by the wind. If I didn't know, I sure would think it's snow, too.

Thank you again! and,

have a good one,

Richard

Registered on October 20, 2013, 9 Posts, 37 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Reid on February 15, 2014 at 12:00 PM

Wonderful textures and tones to this Richard producing a very artistic scene. Very nice composition also. Beautiful.

Registered on January 27, 2013, 65 Posts, 2460 Comments