The Dunes - Resistance is Futile!

Im starting to understand why John Weller and Kiyomichi Koike kept/keep going back to this park in all sorts of weather and conditions. It casts a spell on you and the more you see and learn, the more you want to go back. Went backon Friday for some shots in very windy conditions, this time high in the main mass below High DUne. My fav shots on ESS today and all week, but heres a few that im not totally sure of, would like to know if any grab you.

A bit of flare here, cant remove it but not sure it really hurts the shot (?)

Some interesting colors and patterns around sunset. This is actually desaturated -15.

Of the three, the last one really grabs me.
That's because the most successful images from your recent series have focused on the intimate and more abstract nature of the place (including .that gorgeous shot now at ES&S!).
The first two are 'nice'....just not quite in the same realm. You've set a pretty high bar for your own self now, y'know!

Those are great Stan... I was there on Sunday and there was no sun at all...totally grey...except I did see a herd of elk...I'm curious how far do you hike up the dunes to get these shots?

I have to agree with John here Stan. While these are all nice images, they don't come close to your previous posts from the dunes.

Those are great Stan... I was there on Sunday and there was no sun at all...totally grey...except I did see a herd of elk...I'm curious how far do you hike up the dunes to get these shots?

Thanks Cynthia, wow im surprised you saw elk--ive only seen lots of mule deer! For this trip i only hiked a half hour or so to the east central area SW of High Dune--it looked most promising for exposed ridges. IN my trip the previous week i hiked about three+ miles/2 hours to the southern end of the dunes.

Stan the Dunes have become my new favorite place. There's no way to get the same images as anyone else and boundless opportunities with each return. You've done a wonderful job here with these images.

Exactly, James--you could spend a lifetime there and never come a way with the same comp. It's like an ocean in slow motion.

Of these 3, I like #2 the best. None are as compelling as the one on ESS. That shot is showing you are starting to hit your sweet spot with your Dunes work. The most recent work is starting to translate your emotions as I know you are striving towards. Keep up the excellent work.

Stan, You have been assimilated! The Dunes have a certain sensuality that beckons for return. I am hoping to get in an overnight trip soon. Interested? How do you keep the sand out of your gear? Any special tricks? I have not ventured very far into the dunefield for that reason. I also want to shoot Zappata Falls again, also amazing when frozen.

I always enjoy your dune experiments Stan. Though there are indeed infinite compositions there, I'm pretty used to seeing Dune in front of Crestones shots, so it's great to see some less standard views. I'm not quite sure why, but I find #1 here pretty compelling: something about the glow of the blowing sand, the dark bottom, the very non-standard view of the mountains. Your ESS post is awesome!

I think #1 would have been super if the composition excluded the background mountains.
I find them distracting from an otherwise very clean composition.

GREAT post on ES&S!

Thanks for the input, guys!
John, how do i keep sand out? I dont. I figure once the sand completely destroys my 5D, that will be the time to pick up the mkII.

LOL... that's what I thought! I have been thinking about that since lunch though. I am way over due for a trip down there.

All three are beautiful but the second one really catches my eye. Like the light and shadow plus the blowing sand.

More great stuff, Stan! I like 2, 1, 3. That one you posted at ESS is another brilliantly conceived and processed image. Looks like you took artistic liberties with the white balance, and to great effect.

Excellent shots! Love them all. You are the man, Stan!

Todd, you're right (about the WB), but not as much as you might think, that was very close to what 'auto' would have given me, i lowered that by maybe 400 deg K or thereabouts.

I agree ... this photos give a great sense of the conditions you enjoyed - the things you saw. But the ESS shot is high art. Keep it up. I know that when I next visit Colorado, the dunes will be a part of my itinerary. I miss that place.