Dunes tree B and W

Had to use the new LARGE version feature This is a little different comp of my Dunes tree outing a few months back. This is a three shot blend with conversion in NIK SFX Pro2. What say you?

The large version brings out those rays of light very nicely! I'm not an expert on B/W but it looks pretty good to me.

Nice composition and conversion. The dunes take a slight back seat but that is probably OK. If you want them more noticable, you might lighten them just a tad. I like the way the limb points to the sunset.

I really like the "starkness" feel of this image. The B&W conversion is nice and a good choice for this image, IMHO. The beat-up grasses in the foreground are awesome and add to the harshness. I'm struggling a bit with the composition of the branches and horizon. They're too tangled up, intertwined. I think I'd like a lower perspective moving the top branches against the sky. This seems a departure from your usual style, and I like it - of course, I like your usual style too!

I like the dramatic high-contrast look to the scene which really brings out the detailed foreground grasses and the sun beams in the distance. The only issue with the development I see is some haloing around the middle tree branch that some selective darkening of the sky could improve. I also felt a sense of "starkness" when looking at the image (even before reading Scott's post) and I'd also add the image effectively communicates the vastness of this landscape you notice when visiting here.

Very nice composition Pam, the textures of all the different elements works really. Great work on the processing too, I've been trying some B&W conversions and it's a whole different world processing them. The only thing I found myself wishing for was a better view of the dunes beyond, but that's a different shot.

Thanks for the input! I find interesting several comments wishing the dunes were more prominent when the clear subject is the tree The biggest improvement for me with the conversion were the sun rays being more prominent and the scraggly grasses look far better than they do in color. Keep 'em coming!

Very edgy Pam! I like your conversion. Any chance you could enhance the light rays a bit?

Nice, Pam, the stark comp works for me! Aside from the halo at the top of the tree, all looks good.

Excellent b&w image! The contrast is wonderful, and I love how the tree branches appear to be reaching out to the fading sun.
The lack of any emphasis on the dunes doesn't faze me, but you might consider a new title to avoid any msconceptions.

I feel like the tree is reaching for the setting sun. Nice work!