Ruth Sprain  


Walking on the Dunes by Ruth Sprain

February 2025 - Walking on the Dunes

February 2025 - Ruth Sprain

Original

About the Image(s)

I took this photo in Great Sand Dunes National Park in October 2021. An early snow outlined the dunes in white. I used my Canon EOS 7D at 90mm, f/11, 1/750. In Lightroom and PhotoShop, I adjust the contrast, dodged and burned, and converted the photo to b&w. I’d appreciate your input.


6 comments posted




Kieu-Hanh Vu   Kieu-Hanh Vu
Hi Ruth,
In this image, the single person at the immense sand dunes makes the image more impactful!
In my personal opinion, I'd prefer to have a bit more space on the top since the trees are too close to the frame, and to leave the image in color because of the trees in fall season and the early snow on the dunes are so beautiful! Let see if other people agree to it.   Posted: 02/04/2025 15:14:59
Ruth Sprain   Ruth Sprain
Kieu-Hanh, thank you for your comments and suggestions. I agree with you and Michael that the line of trees is too close on the top of the frame. I was looking for photos to submit for a monochrome category in club photo competition, so I was only considering black and white. However, you're right that the autumn trees are beautiful in color.   Posted: 02/06/2025 17:02:50



Michael Hrankowski   Michael Hrankowski
Hi Ruth.
Your image has some interesting shapes and nice tones. The lone person gives scale and an appreciation of just how vast these dunes are. With respect to your composition and the monochrome conversion, I'm in agreement with Kieu-Hanh. I think a different composition that included more of the trees and a presentation in color would, indeed, have been more impactful.

If you were to leave this in monochrome, I would suggest a tighter crop to eliminate the trees at the top of the frame and allow the viewer to focus better on the dunes and the lone walker.   Posted: 02/04/2025 18:03:00
Comment Image
Ruth Sprain   Ruth Sprain
Michael, thanks for your comments. I agree that cropping off the top row of trees helps with the balance of the composition.   Posted: 02/06/2025 17:04:32



Andres Valdespino   Andres Valdespino
I like the image in monochrome. The walker is more of a focus and the lack of color in the original makes monochrome a good choice. But I do agree with Michael about cropping to remove the trees on the top .   Posted: 02/06/2025 01:59:17
Ruth Sprain   Ruth Sprain
Andres, thanks for your input. I agree that cropping off the trees would help the composition.   Posted: 02/06/2025 17:05:30



 

Please log in to post a comment