Dunes Galore

Was at the Dunes thu. You can never go wrong at the dunes, i love that place so much i vow to be back numerous times this winter!

The light late in the day cannot be beat this time of year.

nice foreground to sky Stan!! good comp with the earth and sky patterns working together!

What i love most about the dunes is the fluid nature of the sand, truly like ocean waves.
More photos at ESS--check it out if you get a chance!

I love the first one; great long, leading foreground back to a solid BG and sky!

Gorgeous shots, Stan. I absolutely love the ripples on the first and third.

Nice shots, Stan. For me, photographing the dunes is as much about isolating patterns as it is capturing the big, wide landscapes. What intrigues me about the 2nd shot is the curvy line and contrast of light and dark in the upper part of the dunes. I might have moved in a little closer and zoomed in on that part of the scene, excluding the sky and foreground entirely. The same holds true for the ripples of sand in the foreground of the 1st and 3rd images. I think there could be some interesting compositions of just the ripples. Photographers should, of course, develop their own style, and not everyone likes the somewhat more abstract shots. But these kinds of photo ops are so abundant at the dunes that I think it's worthwhile to experiment with some such shots.

Stan, these are spectacular! I can't tell you how envious I am that you got to photograph there. I love all three, and #2 would be my favorite if the bottom was cropped off a bit.

Thanks for the comments!
Grant, i couldnt agree more, but permit me to explain: these shots were taken from 4pm to 515, after a 9+ mile 3500 ft hike (through snow) to S Zapata Lake (ill be posting those shots soon!) I was tired, but I just couldnt pass up the chance to do some shots of the dunes at sunset, so i trudged another mile as far away from the footprints as i could in this time. I blew through about 80 in this short time, including a few closeups. Incidentally, i searched online for Zapata falls and found some of your old stock shots of it--this really helped me preconceive of my comps while i was there--so thanks! Please check em out when i post later this week.

No explanation necessary, Stan. Real nice collection. Can't wait to see S. Zapata Lake, I've eyed it on a map for years, never had the drive needed to get there. Especially through snow!

Understood, Stan. You got some nice shots in that short of time. Last time, when I hiked almost to the top of High Dune, I was so exhausted I barely had the motivation to take out my camera and get some shots. So to hike even more after heading to Zapata Lake takes dedication.

I'm almost embarrassed that you found my crappy old shots of Zapata Falls. I need to get back there again sometime.

I'm almost embarrassed that you found my crappy old shots of Zapata Falls.

I thought you might be
It was the various angles that helped me. If you're game to head back there when its all frozen over--let me know, cause im definitely back there in mid winter!

Nice. I like the third shot the best with the great lines and ripples. Nice capture of the light.
I agree about never tiring of the dunes. I need to get down there a few times this winter.

Good job!

I'm with Kalin, I love the S shape in the third shot, looks cool. I need to go there again sometime. Well done Stan.

Bill

I may take you up on that Stan. I'd like to make it to the dunes once this winter. And I'll need someone to call 911 when I slip and fall on the ice at Zapata Falls . If you'll be down that way around late January, let me know.

All nice. #3 is my fav. Like the sssssnaky curve and patterns.
Would have love to have grabbed that on 4x5 TMax. You're killing me!!

Nice Stan! I also enjoy the dunes in the fall,winter and early spring. Zapata Falls is awseome when frozen but I am taking crampons this time! Just about wiped out my camera and lens slipping on the frozen creek last time.

John

I really like all three of these Stan and your hiking efforts sure paid off My favorites compositionally are 3, 1 then 2. The only thing I would suggest in 3 is a curves adjustment especially on the shadows and contrast ends. It's a bit flat but with these adjustments would be off the charts gorgeous.

Pam

Thanks, Pam that would be my order of preference as well! Im gonna post a closer version of #3 in ESS tomorrow (after my 48 h wait is over )

Great images! I really like that first image.

I really like that first one too! That one is just amazingly cool.

Love #1 and #3, #2's foreground is too distracting for me, although it is a good representation of a very important part of the ecology of the area and as such definitely serves a purpose.

Thanks for all the kind comments! I took Pam's advice on #3 and it looks like it was good advice based on the ESS commnets.

These are really great shots Stan. Perfect skies too. I really like the 3rd image most of all.