Luminous Sandscape
Mesquite Dunes, Death Valley, CA
Feb 5, 2011, a rare chance to get away for some photography. Friday had a great sunset all over California. Would it happen again on Saturday? None of my cohorts could make the trip with me, so off to DV on a solo trip. After securing a campsite at Furnace Creek, I headed back to Mesquite dunes and headed out to the dunes under relatively flat light. I shot a while to test out compositions but new that none of them would be winners. I watched as the sun set over the Panamint mountains and the direct light departed the dunes. I watched other photographers pack up and head back to their cars -- they must be inexperienced at this game. Sure enough, about 15 min later the sky to the east began to turn pink and the slowly work its way westward. Normally I would be be in panic mode trying to squeeze as many shots and comps out of the light as possible, but this time, I stuck with this one location and enjoyed it while triggering the shutter; by myself. This is the first time I got a shot that even comes close to those taken by the super-shooters on flickr, so I'm especially proud of this one. The post processing was very mininimal -- a little adjusting the lighthness in the foreground and a little sharpening. No need for saturating; good enough. I wish it was that easy all the time!
The next day was basically an excercise in photo futility, even though I covered a lot of ground ( I saw the racetrack playa for the first time, and shot every rock sitting out there). No whining and no regrets however! It was a good short trip and I can't wait to get back there again.
Thanks so much for your support, comments and such. With so many contacts these days, I'd like to hear from you once in a while. I am trying to keep up my side of the bargain by commenting/faving too!
Hope you had a great weekend too!
Edit: brightened the dunes more. sorry if this damaged your favs!
Luminous Sandscape
Mesquite Dunes, Death Valley, CA
Feb 5, 2011, a rare chance to get away for some photography. Friday had a great sunset all over California. Would it happen again on Saturday? None of my cohorts could make the trip with me, so off to DV on a solo trip. After securing a campsite at Furnace Creek, I headed back to Mesquite dunes and headed out to the dunes under relatively flat light. I shot a while to test out compositions but new that none of them would be winners. I watched as the sun set over the Panamint mountains and the direct light departed the dunes. I watched other photographers pack up and head back to their cars -- they must be inexperienced at this game. Sure enough, about 15 min later the sky to the east began to turn pink and the slowly work its way westward. Normally I would be be in panic mode trying to squeeze as many shots and comps out of the light as possible, but this time, I stuck with this one location and enjoyed it while triggering the shutter; by myself. This is the first time I got a shot that even comes close to those taken by the super-shooters on flickr, so I'm especially proud of this one. The post processing was very mininimal -- a little adjusting the lighthness in the foreground and a little sharpening. No need for saturating; good enough. I wish it was that easy all the time!
The next day was basically an excercise in photo futility, even though I covered a lot of ground ( I saw the racetrack playa for the first time, and shot every rock sitting out there). No whining and no regrets however! It was a good short trip and I can't wait to get back there again.
Thanks so much for your support, comments and such. With so many contacts these days, I'd like to hear from you once in a while. I am trying to keep up my side of the bargain by commenting/faving too!
Hope you had a great weekend too!
Edit: brightened the dunes more. sorry if this damaged your favs!