Death Valley sand dunes

Sand dunes in the late evening. Question: should I keep the 3 hikers on the

distant ridgeline? Thanks for your comments.

According to me I think the hikers add a nice effect. I really like this shot. Nice contrast (desert and greenery). Great joB!

Keep the hikers - they help illustrate the scale of the dunes. Nice job :)

What a great composition. Is difficult to meet pictures with a good composition as this one. Maybe my unique critique is about blue... there is too much blue color

I agree with Paulo - good composition. The hikers add the scale you need for this and the light is perfect. I might have moved the bush to the left a bit, but that's just picky. Congratulations.

For me, it was the hikers that pulled me into the shot. It was the bush that bothered me. Fantastic shot, I really like the mountains in the background. Bush aside (which I'm not too sure about) I really like the whole feel of this image

Excellent immage, compliments!!

I think three hikers MAKE this image. Very well done!!!

congrats! for this one, very good DOF simple and effective

Good depth, perspective and definition, maybe the tonality is too much blued, it is my opinion. Good work.

A greeting

Thanks for the comments. The inclusion of the hikers is more important than I had anticipated. I sometimes forget how much the presence of a person can add to an image, especially in a case like this when the sense of scale is enhanced. A couple of folks have mentioned the bluish cast. Actually, I've reduced the blue quite dramatically; the original scan was very blue (I was shooting Velvia). What's left may be especially noticible in the background. Personally, I think I'm satisfied with the color rendition of the sand and shrub. Wish I could have had a kit fox sitting just to the right of shrub. One did follow me for a short distance in the early morning darkness one day -- a very neat experience.

great composition.I have seen your desert and badlands folder, the pictures are stunning. cheers jana

Simply stunning. For me, colors are perfect (and I don't say that very often). Muted pink and blue tones give new life to the traditional yellow-gold color of desert sand. Love this one.

Stephen, It's hard to pick favourites from your excellent portfolio but, if I had to, this one would certainly be among them. I love the shapes revealed by the soft, low light. They excellently portray the surface features of the land here. My guess is that a series of shots taken from this same camera position & starting a few minutes earlier would have revealed many interesting versions as the sun slowly set. The sliver of distant hills provides context for the viewer without becoming a visual distraction. I fully agree with those in favour of retaining the 3 hikers in the background as they are essential in providing scale and a dynamic in that otherwise static part of the frame. I would not lose the shrub, a major element in the photo which contributes to the great depth here, but could agree (in a perfect world) with those suggesting a slightly more left placement of it in the frame. As for your kit fox, you probably could have coaxed him into an interesting position within your composition had you not been so tightfisted with your lunch:-) Best, LM.

"Traveling" in your work, it is hard to choose( Len is right...) this one is so very beautiful. I like everything here, the colors, light, composition , and the neat execution.

 

Happy holidays and new year Stephen, Pnina

I'd leave the hikers, they add to the story and the story can be anyone's interpretation. This is a lovely and wonderfully composed image. The colors and graphic lines of the dunes are so appealing and the bush in the foreground leads me in. Many books on composition say that for an image to be successful it needs interest in the foreground, middle and background and I think you've employed that principle perfectly.

Stephen, this is one of those incredible dune shots that stands out among many! As good as it gets. Congratulations.

Woo, woo, woo!

I like the gentle rhythm of this image and all the different scales and stories embedded in it.  Things that at first seem distracting or mildly unattractive like the bush and the people slowly acquire a life of their own.  I can see why it is a favourite.

A beautiful image of Death Valley! I love the trees (oais?) and the faint view of hikers which gives the impression they are seeking respite in it's shade. Very well done. Thank you for sharing. :)

A very nice image Stephen. I don't normally care for figures in landscapes, but in this case it does seem to work.

BTW, you have an impressive portfolio - my type of photography.

Thanks for the comments.  David, I usually avoid figures in the landscape as well, although I'm discovering that they very often add a welcomed touch to the photo, especially in foggy conditions on the coast.

The subtle lighting and composition are superb here, Stephen.  I like the bush in the foreground as it adds interest, and provides a focal point for the subtle shadows and highlights that envelop it.I also like the hikers way in the background.  They are like ants in a surreal scene.

Paul

This is still a great image Steve.  Love the subtle colors and textures.

Wonderful picture, nice order of lines and perspective.

Best regards!

Wald