Having photographed many dunes, I very much appreciate how adding content can completely enhance this type of image. The hot air balloon really worked out well and you blended it nicely into the sky with your shading. The LUT seemed to bring out that magical bronze quality that makes it sparkle.
I wouldn't change much here. Maybe play with the sizing of the camel train. These details can get somewhat lost even if their sizing is 'realistic.'
So well done Bruce!   Posted: 02/08/2025 14:25:35

Hi Bruce, I love the foreboding mood you created by the color scheme - it feels like a storm is approaching, or, anyway, something is going to happen soon. I think that the caravan also gives a scale to the vast desert.   Posted: 02/10/2025 18:44:43

Thank you Matt, and Kirsti.
The sheer vastness of the desert and the time to cross is expressed by the two modes of travel, one quicker than the other. Think I'll leave the camel train sizing as it is secondary to the balloon which is the primary subject and also included in the title. cheers.
  Posted: 02/11/2025 13:16:20

This is a fabulous image, Bruce! I love the way you've shown the vastness of the desert with an almost panoramic crop. The dark soil at the lower left invites me into the image with a generous wide pathway and leads me into the center of the image. The sizes of the camel train and the balloon emphasize the immensity of the desert. I think your color choices really make this image; it feels like golden sands and a silver sky.
I'm particularly interested in your choice of where to place the balloon. I would have tried a little to the left (classic rule of thirds), but I see that instead you have created a connection between the camel train and the balloon. There's more of a story this way for me.
My only suggestion is that a touch of vignette in the lower right corner might be useful to keep the eye in the image, since that is the biggest bright area in the image.

Thanks for your detailed description of how you created this wonderful image, Bruce!
  Posted: 02/13/2025 14:14:21

Sorry to be late to the discussion. So much has been said already about this captivating image. For me, the colors and the shadows dominate the scene. I would love to know how you harmonized the colors. I wanted to know what the scene would look like without the caravan, so I tinkered. I feel the lonely hot air balloon creates a bit of mystery. In any case, this rendering is top notch.   Posted: 02/14/2025 16:36:46

Bruce, Another masterfully crafted image. I am not familiar with the use of look up tables, something I'm going to have to read up on now after being drawn into the rich golden landscape   Posted: 02/15/2025 05:30:59

I too love the concept, Bruce. I wonder though about the harsh light source applied to the balloon and upper left. I'm not sure if the caravan plays a role in leading to the balloon, but it needs to become a better element if so. This could be a terrific wall art if some of the files were cleaned up. The blemishes appear especially on the outer sides of the final image. I might consider undoing some of the texture and clarity in the originals or place the elements on their own layers if that wasn't done. It has the potential to be astonishing.   Posted: 02/20/2025 18:36:01

Hi Bruce, thank you for your detailed explanation of how you created this stunning image. I really love the tonalities and textures of the sand dunes, which contrast beautifully with the sky. The balloon and the camels complement the scene perfectly, adding to the story, and your editing brings everything together seamlessly. A truly wonderful image!   Posted: 02/22/2025 18:50:56