Kirsti Näntö-Salonen
January 2025 - Evoluton
Original
About the Image(s)
Here is ”Evolution”. On the sand dunes on the Danish coast, I came across this strange set of clear footprints. Around them, there was a a mess of different prints that the wind had almost smoothed away, and it was impossible to say if the paths of Barefoot and Shoes had truly crossed, or if someone had staged the encounter just for fun. - Fuji X-T4, 27.5 mm, f/11, 1/170 s, ISO 160, hand held. It was a hazy morning, and the light came from the side in a low angle. - I put the image through DxO Pure Raw and turned it into black-and-white in Affinity Photo. The result was rather flat, but adding contrast seemed to make the sand look totally unnatural. I ended up with a high-key version but I don’t know if is an improvement or not. I am looking forward to your ideas!
10 comments posted
I love photographs that raise more questions than facts.I don't think it is flat. I love what looks like a little worm or string in the sand that visually implies the foot prints might be related' I like the tonality of you finished picture better than the original. Posted: 01/08/2025 22:13:53
Thank you, Al! I am glad if it works! Posted: 01/10/2025 16:10:08
I like the finished version compared to the original. I think it's fortunate that it was a hazy morning and you got some diffuse light and no shadows (including your own!).
I see an intersection of ancient man and modern man and I think the photo works very well, whether or not someone did that staging intentionally. You are also fortunate that it wasn't eroded by wind before you got there. Nice timing and nice capture! Posted: 01/13/2025 23:53:27
I see an intersection of ancient man and modern man and I think the photo works very well, whether or not someone did that staging intentionally. You are also fortunate that it wasn't eroded by wind before you got there. Nice timing and nice capture! Posted: 01/13/2025 23:53:27
Thank you, Robert! The sand dunes really were an extraordinary experience, with the continuous slow shift of the surface, and yesterdays tracks smoothened away overnight. Posted: 01/14/2025 14:20:24
Hi Kirsti. Great capture. This photo caught my eye and made me look more closely. While footprints in the sand are a familiar sight, they don't always draw a viewer in. For me, the sand "vein" linking the two different footprints provides an interesting element which makes me want to explore the connection between them - my favorite part. You did a good job with the post processing however I envision adding clarity to enhance the sand texture and slightly increasing the blacks. Also possibly adding a vignette will further emphasize the subject. Just my thoughts but ultimately creator's choice. Posted: 01/14/2025 17:18:24
Thank you very much, Barbara! I think that you are right about the clarity and the blacks. I actually tried a vignette but I felt that the crop was too tight for it so that interfered with the shadows of the footprints. Posted: 01/14/2025 18:33:29
Hi Kirsti - I love juxtapositions like this and think you've captured a great storytelling image. When I look at this all kinds of possible stories leap to mind as I try to understand the reason for the footprint and the shoe-print, connected with a thin sand trail. I think if a viewer were looking at a stack of images, this one would certainly grab their attention as they tried to figure out the story. I don't have any suggestions for changes. Nice shot! Posted: 01/18/2025 00:00:53
Thank you, Jeff, I am so glad! Posted: 01/19/2025 15:49:43
Good evening Kirsti - first I apologize for typing your name wrong for so long.
I like what you did with this - the contrast between the shoe print representing civilization and the bare foot print looking back toward nature. As I looked at the image a song I have heard came to mind, "All the Works of Nature which adorn the World -Vista by Nightwish ("I love not man less, but nature more"). I have found a peace in nature, especially barefoot on a beach that is very calming to my soul.
Another contrast I found interesting was the barefoot print was complete while the shoe sole print was not - added to the story in my mind.
I tried playing with the image in PS but could do no better than you had already done.
A very nice image - one I would gladly hang on a wall. Thank you for sharing it with us Kirsti. Posted: 01/19/2025 22:37:08
I like what you did with this - the contrast between the shoe print representing civilization and the bare foot print looking back toward nature. As I looked at the image a song I have heard came to mind, "All the Works of Nature which adorn the World -Vista by Nightwish ("I love not man less, but nature more"). I have found a peace in nature, especially barefoot on a beach that is very calming to my soul.
Another contrast I found interesting was the barefoot print was complete while the shoe sole print was not - added to the story in my mind.
I tried playing with the image in PS but could do no better than you had already done.
A very nice image - one I would gladly hang on a wall. Thank you for sharing it with us Kirsti. Posted: 01/19/2025 22:37:08
Hi Ed - never mind the spelling issues, I have gotten used to all kinds of permutations! Thank you for the lovely critique - I feel absolutely honoured that the image would raise such thoughts, and for the Nightwish association. I did not notice the difference in the completeness of the prints myself but I love the implications. Posted: 01/20/2025 16:24:50