Michael Jack, QPSA  


Mesquite Dunes by Michael Jack, QPSA

May 2021 - Mesquite Dunes

About the Image(s)

This was taken at sunrise at Mesquite Dunes in Death Valley. The day before had very high winds. So much so trucks and campers were urged not to get on the highway. Fortunately for us, the wind erased all the footprints off the dunes so by sunrise the next day they were pristine. We finished shooting a few hours after sunrise when all the tourists started making their way into the dunes. This image was taken about one-half mile into the dunes so not many people have the stamina to make it that far.

Canon 5R, 24-105 f4 L lens, ISO 800, f11, 0.5 sec. In post processing I reduced the color saturation of the distant mountains and changed the hue away from the purple cast to get a better color balance.


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




 
Michael, this is a very nice photo of the sand dunes. The photographer just adds to the photo. The shades of the dunes are nicely done. Cropping the photo works.   Posted: 05/05/2021 13:05:06



Barbara Gore   Barbara Gore
Very nice image. Typically I like to see more natural detail or patterns in the sand but it's to your benefit the winds removed all the footprints and made the sand smooth. The simplification is very natural and nice. I like having the human element for scale and the lighting adds good color and shadows to the image.   Posted: 05/06/2021 11:54:01



Larry Treadwell   Larry Treadwell
Nicely done with this image of the dunes. The addition of the photographer adds enough scale to show the vastness of the landscape. I'm wondering if lowering the black point just might increase the shadows on the dunes and thus add some punch to the entire scene. I'll agree with Barbara that I generally like to see some texture in sand dunes to keep the area from being so flat, but the conditions did keep the foot prints off the sand so I guess there is a tradeoff. I also think the pano format adds to the feeling of vastness.   Posted: 05/08/2021 13:47:19



Michael Jack   Michael Jack
Your comments about the sand are interesting. I entered this image in a competition where one of the judges comments was there was too much texture in the sand.... Go figure.   Posted: 05/08/2021 19:26:13
Larry Treadwell   Larry Treadwell
Darn those judges. You'd think they all would get on the same page. :-)   Posted: 05/08/2021 19:56:50



Arne Skinlo   Arne Skinlo
It pays off walking the extra mile. I like the way you have separated the background from the sand. The pano cropping works fine. The person makes the composition and exhibits the scale. I agree with earlier comments that a bit more texture in the sand would enhance the picture.   Posted: 05/09/2021 00:55:51



Bill Peake   Bill Peake
I really like the pano format and the human element in the image. It really gives a sense of desolation. The smoothness of the dunes enhances this feeling, so I'm not sure I agree with the comments about the texture in the sand. I wonder if bumping up the contrast would make the image more dramatic, but it is a really good image as is.   Posted: 05/13/2021 00:09:20