Transitions

Really unusual and beautiful image.  Soothing from such a harsh environment. I like this format vs the panorama. Torn wether to use the brighter area as the horizon and straighten?  I am leaning toward a  CCW rotation.

This looks great to me.  The ridges seem very organic.  Really liking the abstract quality here.

I also think a rotation would look good, but artists choice here, it is brilliant...

All I can offer is print very large...............Moody and wonderful.

I really like this. A very interesting abstract. The colors, textures and lines work really well together. We seen and photographed.

Magical, gorgeous light. Love it.

Aaron,

This is fantastic, unique, ethereal, surreal, oh and beautiful too.  I prefer the full view as the patterns in the sand are mesmerizing.

I did read your blog post and was disappointed you didn't explain the line!   You're right about a small window of time where the light is balanced with the rising moon.... but I was hoping you would explain the line!?  I do my best to appreciate photographic art... but then some times I often become anal-lytical when I don't understand something.  Just can't figure how that line came to be.

But no matter, I am still enjoying this one!

Lon

I really like this combination of warm tones in the sand ans the blue line.  I'm with Harry on ccw rotation...regardless of whether it parallels the horizon or not.  Like Lon, I'm curious about the line. In dunes, the valleys sometimes become a texture free line with a dramatically different color and then a different texture on the opposing downhill side.  Was it that kind of sotuation?
ML

I'm with Harry on this one.  This crop does a better job of leading one into the abstract ness of the image than the pano crop.  I could go either way on the rotation.  I really like the glowing aspect.  I have always been a fan of textures like this.  This is really well seen.

Full frame for me too. This is really different, and the combination of lines and color work very well for me. I'll echo the "mesmerizing" comment.

Aaron, this is a great piece of art for me. Your composition keeps me exploring th whole image and holds my attention always within the frame. Maybe straightening the bright line could be an option, but this is only a minor matter for me. Exceptional work to my eye.

Peter

Really love both the texture and light, very powerful abstract.

Mattia

The two toned palette works really well overlaying those great patterns. Full frame for me.

Aaron, preference goes to the full frame. I would be tempted to level the bright blue line though. Nice color contrast of blue against gold.

Beautiful!  Great patterns,  colors and light. Magical look.

This is wonderful. I do not recall seeing anything like this. I love the mysterious mood. The full frame as posted here has great depth. Like Lon, I am real curious as to what created the blue line? My guess is that it water trapped in a slight depression. Regardless, this is a very fine image, Aaron!
--P

Wow...much thanks all.

To respond to some of the comments...
     I believe the ccw rotation was debated.  Definitely understand making that level might be more pleasing to the eye but I didnt want to lose that awesome color and texture top right corner. 

- The blue is a result of the moonlight vs twilight.  B/c of the difference in color of the light they got even more exaggerated next to each other. 

Seems that full frame is the go to.  Tend to agree b/c just more wiggles is better usually.  I did have to clone out my tripod legs shadow....which was frustrating to say the least. 

Thanks!
aF

Absolutely spectacular image, Aaron.  The contrasts in light and color are exquisite, without a doubt, and the pattern and texture are phenomenal.  Full frame for me.  Incredible.

Beautiful image - congrats on the WP.
I think I'd rotate a bit - that bright line is an artificial horizon and it looks skewed if that isn't straight, imo.
Sandy

Congrats on ILPOY Award!  Definitely unique, knew it was a winner of an image when you posted.

Yes, Congratulations to you Aaron on your image being part of the special 101.