Sand Dunes Obsession

Ever since seeing Weller's night shot of a sunflower, ive been obsessed with doing my own take on this subject. Finally, the season has arrived, so i went to the DUnes on Thu to fulfill my quest for the perfect sunflower shot. I'll post it later this week on ESS In the meantime, here's my second fav of the day, I spent about two hours scouting it, then returned to the spot for sunset. Goal here was to emphasize the isolation and hardiness of the flower, an oasis in the desert.

Here's an afternoon comp during my scouting hike. Note the virga.

Was grabbing dinner at the Oasis up the road with a fellow photog when we noticed a break in the clouds providing amazing light over the dunes mass, a combo of hard dune shadow and more diffuse fleeting cloud shadow. So i wolfed down my chicken burrito, grabbed a longer lens and shot from the parking lot. B&W was the obvious choice!

I've seen blue hues in the Dunes at twilight before, but nothing quite like this! Every time ive visited the Dunes, i come away feeling that there's really nothing that comes close from a photgraphic standpoint in Colorado.

Great stuff Stan! The dunes are indeed a special place

I really like the glowing light you captured on the Dunes in your BW.

The last two are superb!

Yes, love the last two, especially the gradations of blue on the sensious forms in the last. The first one's nice, but the light streak to the left of the sunflower keeps distracting me.

The last two are nice.

Mel-

Nice series, Stan. That first one really resonates with me. All are very nice, but the first one is my kind of simple-yet-striking image.

Beautiful images!

Neat series, Stan, The second image with the virga and the sunflowers is it! The sunflowers stand out more than in the first image and the composition IMO is really good. I would suggest a minor crop from the bottom.

Carol

They're all nice, but I like #2 and #4 the best. Nice stuff!

Great job Stan!! Love the images!

I like #1 & #3 the best, and I like the subdued blues and smooth textures in the last one. They are all great.

Boy, #4 is nice. I like them all and a nice collection!

All four of them have some excellent qualities, though overall I prefer #3. I can't help but wonder how the color version turned out. I am definitely not the smartest guy around, but I don't see why B&W was the obvious choice. Nice collection.

Nice work Stan! All are strong but #4 is killer! I've been told to take some vacation so I think The Dunes will be the place!
John

If you're going to obsess over a place, the sand dunes are the place to do it. I like #2 the best.

Great series. Can't wait for the ES&S night shot! I love the last shot with its blue tones.

Great work Stan, I must get down there.

I really love the first image! Nice simple comp and I also like the pink in the clouds.

Thanks, everyone! Jeff: I should have said, "obvious to me" since it's really personal preference, but when colors arent particularly striking or important (in that shot, just drab gray and brown) but the light/shadow is what made the shot stand out from the usual view of the dunes, then to me, Black & White is the way to go.

Nice collection, Stan. #1 and #3 are may faves.

The black & white one is killer, the contrasts and tones are just perfect. I love the first one, but it's off in my opinion. It would be stellar if that shaft of light were lighting up the flower. As it is, it's good. I like #2 as well. #4 while pretty in color is kinda plain.

Great B&W,,,also like the blue hues.

Thanks, people, i much appreciate the comments! Laurent; thanks for that critique, im not sure what shaft of light you are referring to since there was no light (sun had gone down)? I have reworked that shot to tweak the contrast and brightness, hope to repost on ESS. I also am thinking of a tighter crop on #4, since really it is all about the curves and dune highlites, and they are best in the middle. I have a broader view of the B&W which i also plan on posting later in the week.

Now I know what you mean, thanks for responding.

Wow Stan! You have quite the series here! I think this year the Dunes Spirits have been happy and let forth their beauty for those of us lucky enough to be there! By far the Dunes have become a favorite for me and I hope to come close to what you've done with the Sunflower the next time Im there for the season. Ever image you show here is unique and beautiful.

Stan!!!! Holly Cow!!! Amazing, amazing!! Second one and the last are the best!! Then B&W one is very unique in its tones and excellent lighting!!! First one is a beauty also but I think in that one you can open up the foreground a bit more. I also think (may be it is just me!) your exposure control and sharpness all through these images are out of this world!!. Especially in the last one... I am really went wow, when I saw the details all over it and at the dune top at the right where dune meets brightest spot. If it was me , it would have been blown out. I called the vistitors center desk at the park couple of days ago and asked them if it was the peak time for sunflowers (usually they know). The ranger said "Sunflowers??? I haven't seen any yet...let me ask the park biologist". Later he called back to say "sunflowers will be here at the end of this month" Stan, I think we need to send some of your pictures to them!!! Great work as always...regards, Rajeev.

Killer images, Stan! Initially, the 3rd and 4th really grabbed me, but after going back, I really like the 1st too. They're all excellent and will appeal to different tastes. I admire your discipline in pursuit of the ultimate lone sunflower with so much beauty all around.

Thanks guys, im really flattered especially since i know how much the comments and inspiration ive gotten from this forum have helped me out. Rajeev; funny, i stopped at the visitor center to ask about the sunflowers (i held up a copy of Weller's book and said "where do i find this?") One of the rangers didnt know but another woman told me to just start waling and she was sure i'd find some She was right, but i had to walk quite a bit to find good ones for photos! I just posted my favorite from that shoot at ESS.

Ah I see, what I thought was a shaft of light was just a discoloration of the sand!

Stan,

These are awesome. I really like the sunflower images. Amazing!

Wow!! All of these are incredible. Amazing work! Man I love that place.

Stan these are really top notch. I love #2 and #4. On #2, the way the virga coming down mimics the slope of the dune on which the flowers are - great stuff.

Woah that last one is stunning! The light and texture is unreal!

I also like the last one best, although they are all great. Thanks for sharing.