Seems like everyone has been to the dunes this year...decided it was my turn to check them out this past weekend.
I had a great time - what a fun place! Photo ops at every turn! I was lucky to have 2 great sunrises and lots of interesting weather (from cloudy/rainy to clear and sunny). Oh...and the mosquitos! Ouch!
I'm happy with a number of the pix I can back with - a good start to what I hope will be a growing collection. Here are a couple of shots...more can be seen here if interested.
Great collection, Jamie, i really like 11,13 from your site as well as the last one here is terrific! I wish there were 8 days in the week so i could spend one day a week at the dunes
Jamie - nice collection of images here... I haven't looked at the others on your site yet, but I think of these four that the first is definitely the strongest.
A couple of little things that might have made it even better, at the time of capture:
There is a very strong left to right movement, created by the large dune curve in the foreground and the large, angled-up cloud above.
Both elements move the eye to the right edge of the frame.
If you had changed your perspective just a bit, by taking one step to the right, it would include more room to the right of the large curve and the cloud, and it might have allowed the eye to remain more in the frame.
As the comp is now, the graphics have the tendency to take the eye out of the right side next to the FG dune and top right corner of the frame, near the smaller cloud in the corner - instead of coming to rest at the top of the dune, as I'm assuming the strongest intention would be.
But on the note of intention, the best thing about all these photos is that they clearly show your intention as the photographer making them. Color and sharpness look good, exposures might be a little under, but all in all a fine effort. Thanks for posting these!
Nat - thanks for the great feedback. For #1, this was one of those times I wished for no clouds in the sky..oh well, tried to work with what I had at the time. I do see what you mean about being pushed to the right of the frame. Things to think about when I'm in the field next. I appreciate the help!
I've been working harder to make my compositions cleaner/simpler and be clear about the subject. Unlike going to the gym, I actually enjoy photographic exercises!
Posted by Chris Martin on June 30, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Nice series of shots. I really like #1, and love the light and clouds in #2.
Nice Jamie! I was there a couple of weeks ago and nothing but clouds and WIND and mosqutos. I did not even bother a hike in to the dune field sand blaster! First time I had seen the creek flowing though so gonna try again soon.
11 and 13 from your site immediately jumped out at me, but you got some killer cloud color too, and I like those as well. All good stuff. Thanks for posting the link to your site.
Discussion
13 repliesI had a great time - what a fun place! Photo ops at every turn! I was lucky to have 2 great sunrises and lots of interesting weather (from cloudy/rainy to clear and sunny). Oh...and the mosquitos! Ouch!
I'm happy with a number of the pix I can back with - a good start to what I hope will be a growing collection. Here are a couple of shots...more can be seen here if interested.
http://jrbotdorf.zenfolio.com/p586865049/h2a140fcb#h2dc6ce44
(The one that Nick likes too!)
A couple of little things that might have made it even better, at the time of capture:
There is a very strong left to right movement, created by the large dune curve in the foreground and the large, angled-up cloud above.
Both elements move the eye to the right edge of the frame.
If you had changed your perspective just a bit, by taking one step to the right, it would include more room to the right of the large curve and the cloud, and it might have allowed the eye to remain more in the frame.
As the comp is now, the graphics have the tendency to take the eye out of the right side next to the FG dune and top right corner of the frame, near the smaller cloud in the corner - instead of coming to rest at the top of the dune, as I'm assuming the strongest intention would be.
But on the note of intention, the best thing about all these photos is that they clearly show your intention as the photographer making them. Color and sharpness look good, exposures might be a little under, but all in all a fine effort. Thanks for posting these!
The changing light on those dunes makes every trip a brand new experience for me, and I never tire seeing the work of others.
Nat - thanks for the great feedback. For #1, this was one of those times I wished for no clouds in the sky..oh well, tried to work with what I had at the time. I do see what you mean about being pushed to the right of the frame. Things to think about when I'm in the field next. I appreciate the help!
I've been working harder to make my compositions cleaner/simpler and be clear about the subject. Unlike going to the gym, I actually enjoy photographic exercises!