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Sand Dunes Pano

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12 replies
Posted by Russ Shugart on February 7, 2011 at 12:20 AM
Sand Dunes Pano
All week knew I wanted to head out somewhere this weekend and get some shots of something. Yesterday I woke up and heard that a front was heading in from the north out of Wyoming. Great, I'll head south. Sand Dunes it was. I rolled out about 11:00. Driving west over La Veta pass there were great big holes in the clouds and sunlight streaming through. I thought I might catch the sunset I had imagined over the dunes looking up into the Sangre De Cristos. One of my resolutions this year was to get wherever earlier than 10 minutes before sunset. Well, as usual I was racing up the dunes out of breath thinking I was missing the best stuff RIGHT NOW! I got to the top of the first ridge and was amazed how cool the place was. I yanked out the camera, setup and started shooting everything I thought might turn out. It was interesting because on the way up the first inch or two of sand was wet and of course hard to climb. After sundown it turned cold enough to freeze and the whole place turned to nearly unbreakable crust. I almost wished I would have brought roller skates. After a very slow trip back over La Veta in a white out blizzard I made it to Walsenburg and decided to wait out the storm and come home today. I'm not sure this shot was worth the quite all that effort but what the heck, it beat sitting on the couch all weekend!

Russ
www.AlpineGalleria.com
Posted by Jim Bennett on February 7, 2011 at 12:30 AM
Well, I'm not so sure about the foreground on the left, but I really like the sky. That hole in the cloud is great in my book. I agree that it beats the heck out of sitting on the couch! Nice story with the photo.
Posted by Stan Rose on February 7, 2011 at 4:35 AM
Interesting dunes shot, Russ! I really like the bit of snow on the dunes. :smile:
Posted by Todd Caudle on February 7, 2011 at 7:39 AM
Looks like it was worth it, Russ. Really neat shot.
Posted by Jackson Frishman on February 7, 2011 at 11:54 AM
Never seen a dunes shot quite like this. It's very 3d, the distant clouds and mountains are quite dramatic, and the framing effect of the dark clouds puts it almost into the realm of the surreal. I definitely like it!
Posted by Lynn Scott on February 7, 2011 at 12:06 PM
I like it! Nice shot!
Posted by Paul Wegemann on February 7, 2011 at 12:22 PM
What makes this image for me is the natural vignette created by the clouds. Nice one, Russ.
Posted by Bill Brennan on February 7, 2011 at 1:55 PM
Very nice work, Russ, and an interesting story. Agree that a small crop on left will sharpen the viewer's focus and keep eye in the frame better.

Bill Brennan
Posted by Dave Showalter` on February 7, 2011 at 2:55 PM
3D dunescape - very nicely composed.
Posted by Scott Fricke on February 7, 2011 at 2:56 PM
Very unique image Russ, certainly a lot for the eye to roam around and see and the light is amazing, certainly worth your efforts.
Posted by John Mumaw on February 7, 2011 at 7:42 PM
This wouldn't have been nearly as good without the frosted dune in the foreground.
One of the best natural vignettes that I've ever seen. Fun story, too.
I like this one a lot! :toast:
Posted by Adam Schallau on February 8, 2011 at 12:43 PM
I love how the cloud frames the top of the image. Nicely seen.
Posted by Morris McClung on February 8, 2011 at 8:38 PM
Love the whole looking through a tunnel feel. Well done.