M. Arfan Asif, APSA, MPSA  


DUNE STUDIES#22 by M. Arfan Asif, APSA, MPSA

June 2020 - DUNE STUDIES#22

About the Image(s)

This image was taken as part of my ongoing project on fine art thematic landscapes. In this one, which is minimalistic in approach without much waves and patterns that would have otherwise caught the attention, the three shrubs are the only bunch of elements on stage. In the compositional thought process, all three are angled at diagonals and from the bottom left their intensity decreases as we move upwards on the frame as a flow and pattern. The manual exposure mode was used with F2.8 at 1/125 sec handheld at 200mm on Canon 5DMk2. The image was processed in PS6 and converted to mono. I used the levels to ensure adequate contrast for the image and details in blacks and whites. There was a concern to ensure the dune was bright enough but without compromising on details. In trying to make it more brighter there is a tendency to lose the lines on the dunes though the increased contrast would have more impact. But I approached a middle ground ensuring the details on the dunes are not lost. A pixel stroke of black was added and a further border of off white not pure white was added using canvas in ps. In near high key images, which are not 16:9 aspect I use the pixel stroke as a limiting line within the canvas and not at the edge. Your comments.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
7 comments posted




David Halgrimson   David Halgrimson
Very simplistic and looks a bit highkey. It feels a little too even, I think it needs some tension for impact. There is detail through out if I look close. Not sure if a vignette was added but looks like it and too me it muddies it. Sorry, somehow it does not work for me.   Posted: 06/01/2020 18:07:40



 
Maybe it's the file size you submitted, but it just doesn't look sharp on my screen. The light is very flat and I can't quite figure out what the slope of the land is. My eye wanders from clump to clump looking for - what? In a better light with some shadows the image might be more interesting. I do like the framing, as it very nicely establishes the border.   Posted: 06/05/2020 14:07:55



Jerry Hug   Jerry Hug
I really like the minimal look. The angle of the hill or the angle that you shot it adds so much for the composition.   Posted: 06/05/2020 15:52:42



Paul Hoffman   Paul Hoffman
I have a friend who many years ago when digital photography started took an image in a snowfield or so he said so, he won quite a few gold medals with the image but it had never seen a camera. So for me, images like this have to be perfect and without question.
Well, this does and has a wonderful simple balance with that simple triangle of grasses that you have perfect detail. The texture in the sand is just about right or could have just a touch more, but the angles give a lovely feel of dunes edges. A very pleasing image that I would love to see as a fine art print and see those sand details come out.   Posted: 06/12/2020 08:09:12



 
The striations in the sand give the impression of a raked Zen garden and the slight compression of the 200mm bring the grass clumps right to you yet still feel slightly out of reach. I would love to see this printed and framed where the sharp details of the sand and grass stand out.   Posted: 06/12/2020 14:08:11



Vincent Cochain   Vincent Cochain
I really like this image and all the information you gave how it is composed and threated.
There a lot of elements in this image: shrubs (3), diagonales, shadow, direction and intensity of the light, structure in the sand, the 2 strokes…
I really like it.   Posted: 06/15/2020 04:44:25



 
Thank you for the comments. Sometimes when you go out of the comfort zone you feel a bit hesitant and probably I thought about it quite a lot. This one was a bit different in my usual style and I gave it a try. I agree with all and thank you for the issue on details. I will try to ensure more details, a touch more, so that in no zone the whites are washed out. On a large dimension it does have. But I understand that I need to work on it a bit more. Many thanks for your advice.   Posted: 06/22/2020 00:17:11