On a Clear Day

[Gaz]

Still trying for that 'Minimalist' look...
I'm not sure if the patterns in the sands over-do it at all...would be interested in your thoughts?


ƒ/29 - 1/20sec - ISO100 - 40mm, Hand held.

[seaslug]

Works for whatever you want to call it.

[sejac]

I like the sand patterns. Interesting composition and a great concept. The sky against the textured sand is beautiful.

My thoughts? Maybe the shade area is a bit large and overwhelming. It does take up half the image, going from one diagonal corner to the other.

And f/29? I always thought there was no real advantage in going much past f/8. Might be better to use a faster shutter than 1/20 if hand held, although your shot does not appear to have suffered.

[loose cannon]

Charles has nailed it here, I'll just add a couple of thoughts.

A stronger composition may have been to have an equal amount of black, yellow and blue, or somehow a lot less black, the attraction for me is the textured sand against the sky but that said the black has strong value.

Also, if you are going to have a diagonal coming out of a corner then have it precisely coming out of the corner(or maybe on a thirds line). You have kinda just missed both the corners here and with this type of image composition is everything. You have good subject (well spotted!) and good light so nailing the composition is the real tricky bit.

Before firing the shutter you need to have a clear idea of exactly what has attracted you to the scene. Are you looking for three neat triangles of black, yellow and blue, are you trying to highlight the textured sand against the sky, maybe this could convert well to b&w etc, etc.

Just some food for thought Gaz, I really like what you are doing here with these desert shots. Keep 'em coming.

[P Plates]

I like the idea behind the composition but I agree that the shade area is too big and hence overpowering. To me the hero of the shot should be the dune with the lines, so that area needs to be larger. The heavy shade/dune/blue sky combo works well, just needs slightly different proportions for me.

Looking forward to seeing more.

[Gaz]

Works for whatever you want to call it.

Thanks Greg...Glad you liked it.

I like the sand patterns. Interesting composition and a great concept. The sky against the textured sand is beautiful.

My thoughts? Maybe the shade area is a bit large and overwhelming. It does take up half the image, going from one diagonal corner to the other.

And f/29? I always thought there was no real advantage in going much past f/8. Might be better to use a faster shutter than 1/20 if hand held, although your shot does not appear to have suffered.

Thanks Charles, there are heaps of fresh patterns after high winds...just need to play the waiting game now

Charles has nailed it here, I'll just add a couple of thoughts.

A stronger composition may have been to have an equal amount of black, yellow and blue, or somehow a lot less black, the attraction for me is the textured sand against the sky but that said the black has strong value.

Also, if you are going to have a diagonal coming out of a corner then have it precisely coming out of the corner(or maybe on a thirds line). You have kinda just missed both the corners here and with this type of image composition is everything. You have good subject (well spotted!) and good light so nailing the composition is the real tricky bit.

Before firing the shutter you need to have a clear idea of exactly what has attracted you to the scene. Are you looking for three neat triangles of black, yellow and blue, are you trying to highlight the textured sand against the sky, maybe this could convert well to b&w etc, etc.

Just some food for thought Gaz, I really like what you are doing here with these desert shots. Keep 'em coming.

Thanks Mick, I totally overlooked aligning the shadow up to the corners...was on my to-do list but completely forgot before posting.

I like the idea behind the composition but I agree that the shade area is too big and hence overpowering. To me the hero of the shot should be the dune with the lines, so that area needs to be larger. The heavy shade/dune/blue sky combo works well, just needs slightly different proportions for me.

Looking forward to seeing more.

Thanks Glenda, hopefully there'll be fresh patterns and the tourist have taken away all their rubbish when you guys call past.



Thanks for the fresh eye's everyone...it appears I'm getting closer to this style of thing? With your suggestions I'll be able to fine tune my approach, in the meantime I'll continue to venture out there and bore/entertain you when I can.

Cheers.