Dune 54. Sossusvlei, Namibia.
EOS 1n. lens: 70-200L @ 200mm. film: Velvia.

-- James Tarquin (jtarquin@usa.net), September 13, 1999

Answers

Talk about graphic! Hard to believe this is a photo and not a painting! Even though I wish something was included to give a sense of scale, such as some animal or people tracks, this shot is most certainly a keeper.

I'd love to see the original slide of this very unique image!

-- Jim Erhardt (jimerhardt@hotmail.com), September 13, 1999.

Thanks.

I should have mentioned. I've got quite a few photos from Sossusvlei on my website at:

http://www.jtarquin.com

-- James Tarquin (admin@jtarquin.com), September 13, 1999.

James, I like the shot but it is so much like graphic art that it is hard to believe it is real. I like your version with the trees at the bottom much better because it anchors the shot in a reality.

-- Micheal F. Kelly (Radiant@gci.net), September 13, 1999.

Great graphic design!

-- Larry Korhnak (lvk@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu), September 14, 1999.

Simple, grahpic and powerful. Nice work!

-- Garry Schaefer (schaefer@pangea.ca), September 14, 1999.

This demonstrates that you have an eye for form and color, the part that bothers me is there is no texture in the sand, it might be the scanner or my screen but the lack of texture when my mind tells me there should be causes me to lose interest very rapidly and I have to make myself look at it again, just my point of view. Pat

-- pat j. krentz (krentz@cci-29palms.com), September 15, 1999.

I think you dialed in too much saturation (I apologize if I am wrong about this). Nice form and graphic content though.

-- wkato (wkato@aol.com), September 15, 1999.

I haven't looked at the original slide in a couple of weeks, but as I recall, the color tone on it (the original) is a little different...I think that it is closer to this image, which I scanned with different settings.

But I did not alter the saturation in any way. I don't remember if I used a polarizer on this photo or not (there are a few shots at this location which you can clearly see involved a polarizer), but the Velvia obviously contributed to the saturation.

As to Pat's comment, I tried to find some object to place in this scene that would lend some perspective/detail/anchor. The photo linked above is the closest I could come to doing so...But once a tangible object is placed in the scene, I think it loses some of its appeal.

-- James Tarquin (admin@jtarquin.com), September 15, 1999.

I like you 9/15 linked image better because of the bare tree in the foreground. You don't lose any of the graphic element in your photo and the "real" tree enhances this effect, in addition to providing some scale.

-- Warren (wkato@aol.com), September 17, 1999.

I like the second image much better, it lends texture and balance to the photo. Pat

-- pat j. krentz (krentz@cci-29palms.com), September 18, 1999.

While the subject is astounding in its color and form, I too like the second image best because it gives me a sense that this is real. As Pat said it also anchors the photo, giving it a sense of balance. Awesome photo of an awesome landscape! Donna

-- Donna P. Bollenbach (cassidy@icubed.net), September 18, 1999.