Dave Ficke
November 2025 - El Mirage Dry Lake
About the Image(s)
I went out to El Mirage Dry Lake and wanted to take some shots of a "Dry" lakebed - HA HA, as you can see there were thunderclouds in the horizon. Wind was blowing and I set up with the hopes that my truck (4X4) would block the wind - well kinda. Took some shots and during that time the clouds came in very quickly. Packed up everything as quickly as possible and the torrent of rain came down. Had to put the truck in 4X4 as this DRY lakebed quickly was nothing but mud. Got out ok and back on pavement - Interesting experience.
Image was taken with a Nikon D800, with a 17-35 f2.8 lens at F13, 1/400 second (it was blowing like heck) IS) 320, at 20mm using a tripod.
Post cropped, Adjusted shadows, contrast, highlights, sky mask and whites.
5 comments posted
David, if your intent were scientific accuracy or documentation, the first image's neutrality would be my choice. However, for photographic artistry and for a richer, moodier, and more dimensional, in my VF I added texture and contrast throughout and added a fairly strong vignette centered on the dark clouds in the upper left - hope you like my changes - btw, love the simplicity of the image. Posted: 11/11/2025 18:27:25
Butch - Thank you for the input. On a personal note I never do vignetting. Was told by a famous wildlife and landscape photographer years ago that if the image cannot stand on its own. don't try to fake it. So I do not do the vignetting.
I appreciate the other suggestions and see how they could add more drama - Thank You Posted: 11/12/2025 20:04:11
I appreciate the other suggestions and see how they could add more drama - Thank You Posted: 11/12/2025 20:04:11
That's an interesting point about vignettes and it certainly has merit. And I won't argue with a famous wildlife and landscape photographer - he or she is something I'm not. Thanks for the feedback :-) Posted: 11/12/2025 20:45:42
I think you were very lucky to get out , and your story is as interesting as the image. Glad that you were able to document and still get out. Quite an experience and you even got the shot you wanted!! Posted: 11/16/2025 20:58:04
David, I like the sparseness of the image and wonder what it might look like in B&W and maybe as a panorama. I was checking out parts of the image and noted a purplish band at the top of the mts in the distance. The discussion above and here reinforces that we are all individuals who approach photography with an individual viewpoint which makes interacting in a group a rewarding experience. Wish I had been there with you as I like that view. Ray Posted: 11/17/2025 02:01:42