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Shadow Play
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Shadow Play

by gary phillips

Gallery: LandscapePosted May 5, 2016166 views11 comments
Another from our local dunes.  There really aren't any big dune shots unless conditions are  perfect, but there are some intimate images that can keep you coming back. I thought about cloning the stubby sticks top right but left them.  

24-105 @ 40mm, iso 125, f/16, 1/50s

Larger is better

i appreciated your comments on my last image and would like your thoughts on this one.

Comments

11 comments
Comment posted by Dan Kearl on May 6, 2016 at 9:12 AM
While I love the sand texture, the shadow just isn't working for me, Gary.
i feel it needs to work more perpendicular to waves in the sand. I would clone out the stick.
 
Registered on September 2, 2013, 209 Posts, 1514 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on May 6, 2016 at 9:16 AM
I like this one a lot. Very abstract. But my first thought was to clone out the sticks (then read your comments). sad  My kind of image.
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Dave Dillemuth on May 6, 2016 at 10:05 AM
Interesting light and shadow play and really nice textures coming through the the dune. I think I would clone that stick out to simplify the composition.
Registered on December 10, 2015, 104 Posts, 1112 Comments
Comment posted by Navin Sarma on May 6, 2016 at 10:46 AM
Beautiful light and abstract shapes gary! Love this. I think the stick is nice for some context, but really lacks enough size or shape to warrant inclusion (in my opinion). I would experiment with cloning it to see how it looks. 
Registered on July 17, 2011, 233 Posts, 1373 Comments
Comment posted by Roel Wijtmans on May 7, 2016 at 11:38 AM
Man, this is one sweet abstract, but unfortunately, the tree stump doesn't work for me. But I find this very mesmerizing. Especially the subtle wavy pattern in the lower 1/3 is very captivating!
Registered on September 30, 2012, 116 Posts, 2257 Comments
Comment posted by David Schoen on May 8, 2016 at 12:17 PM
Very nice BW and difficult to tell from the initial thumbnail whether this was snow or sand. Terrific textures and patterns.  I have mixed feelings about the tree stump.
Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on May 8, 2016 at 1:41 PM
A fine view, Gary, where your expertise in b&w fits perfectly.  You do a great job of letting the small undulations in the sand create a nice sense of flow.  That flow is accentuated by the angled shadows and then contrasted wonderfully with that bit of shrub (or stump).
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Kathy Barnhart on May 9, 2016 at 1:03 PM
Another wonderful black and white from you, Gary. This image has great light and texture. The diagonal shadows coming in make the image for me. I'd like to see a version of this without the stubby sticks. They don't add anything for me, but maybe I would miss them if they were gone!
Registered on November 11, 2011, 404 Posts, 1639 Comments
Comment posted by Bruce King on May 9, 2016 at 4:45 PM
Nice work...appealing and minimalistic. (may not be a word but you get my meaning) I almost expect to hear Rod Serling saying, "welcome to tonight's episode of...The Twilight Zone."
Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments
Comment posted by Ryan Shain on May 10, 2016 at 10:26 PM
Hi Gary,

I am really liking this image, and the black and white conversion looks great for myself. I can really feel the texture of the sand in the large version. The shadow works well for me, but the tree stump stick up does not have enough impact for myself to keep it in the frame.

I like the idea of a clone out to simplify the image done to texture, contrast, and form.

Beautiful work buddy,

Are you a Scotch guy?
Registered on February 20, 2007, 226 Posts, 4571 Comments
Comment posted by Vance Gese on May 12, 2016 at 10:07 PM
Superb interplay of shadows and textures, Gary. The striking diagonal shadow is like the blast pattern of colliding particles of a particle accelerator.  And set against the beautiful patterned texture of the dunes makes for a very compelling image.  Personally, I would clone out the 'stubby sticks top right' to avoid any distractions from the incredible design of your image.
Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments