Sand Dunes

[echoback]

I have not done too much black and white, but I am starting to almost like it better than color. I took this on a trip last summer to Death Valley. Kind of mimicing Ansel Adams, if I may be so bold haha. Can anybody tell me how I could make it better? Thanks.

Oh, it was taken with a 3200 Nikon Coolpix.

[julsoph]

I love the lines and curves of the dunes...as well as the faint line of scenery beyond them. My suggestion would be to crop out the plants or brush there at the bottom. To me, they take away from the smoothness of the dunes.

Emily

[Loupey]

I like the shape and texture of the dunes. How about taking out the background hills and the foreground plants? It might make it less 3-dimensional but it might also make it more of an abstract and keep everyone on just the dunes. Then, if you like that, you can experiment around with the brightness and contrast

[readingr]

I would keep the hills in the background but definately loose the plants in the foreground.

Also the photo looks a little bland, not sure if it needs more brightness and not sure about contrast. If I get time tonight I'll download it and play to try and show what I mean.

Roger

[Herriot]

Beautiful dunes! Has the potential to work really well in b&w but I would agree, lose the foreground and also the background hills.

Thanks for sharing
Herriot

[Chunk]

I wish this were a little larger so I could see it better. The bushes do add a sense of scale to the picture but I think this shot would be better with out them. If you had perhaps a single interesting shaped bush or two as a larger foreground element, perhaps along one edge, I think you would preserve the scale of distance and have a more interesting shot.
You've caught the beautiful light on the dunes very well.

[echoback]

Thanks everyone so much for your replies! I will try to see what I can do about getting rid of those foreground plants. I agree, they are a bit distracting. But again, thanks!!

[splats]

I think, I'd try adding more contrast , making the shadowed part of the dunes much darker.

I love Death Valley great Place to visit, as long as it is not July, it is such an amzing place.

[GB1]

I like it, seems retro with the black and white. The low contrast produces a fading out feeling, like an old photo rediscovered. So to me, it works. Wish it was bigger though.

I was there 1.5 years ago in August, just to see how hot it felt. I think it worked for you, as you didnt have people walking all over the dunes like ants. Just a few footprints in the foreground...

GB