Bill Crnkovich
October 2026 - Desert Whispers
Original
About the Image(s)
This was taken in February many years ago at the remote Eureka Dunes in Death Valley National Park. I like the "movement" of the sands in the morning light with the nice clouds. In Lightroom I lightened and used quite a bit of contrast to bring out the sand patterns and slightly warmed the scene while keeping it natural looking. I like the little twig and its shadow in the bottom left and the mountains in the top right as they anchor the image. The ripples in the lower part converge to the large dunes while the light on the large dune ridges seem to point to the highest point. This way you don't linger on these anchors. The blue sky contrasts nicely with the sand.
7 comments posted
Hi Bill.
I agree with your reasons for your enjoyment of the scene.
The only aspect that I would have wished for is to either have the camera at a lower elevation to mask out the tiny bit of mountain tops in the central portion of your image . . . or better yet, having the camera's eye view raised up to be able to appreciate a greater extent of the mountain range in the distance. Posted: 10/08/2026 04:19:05
I agree with your reasons for your enjoyment of the scene.
The only aspect that I would have wished for is to either have the camera at a lower elevation to mask out the tiny bit of mountain tops in the central portion of your image . . . or better yet, having the camera's eye view raised up to be able to appreciate a greater extent of the mountain range in the distance. Posted: 10/08/2026 04:19:05
Rick, thanks, excellent comment. I didn't even notice the mountains peaking up. They definitely are a distraction now that I see them. Good suggestions. Posted: 10/08/2026 15:20:35
So much to like about this, Bill. I like the warmer tones you gave it a lot. There is strong diagonal movement to the highest peak at the left, which was where my eye started. I really like the repetition of shape with the ripples in the sand echoed by the shapes of the larger ridges in the distance. I think it benefits from having the scrub land in the middle adding another texture and making a triangle point us to the left.
Removing the dark hills in the background does make a simpler statement. The light from the right pulls me away from where the elements of the composition are pointing me. When I flip it horizontally, the light reinforces starting at the left and then proceeding to the peak which feels more natural. Posted: 10/09/2026 21:14:37
Removing the dark hills in the background does make a simpler statement. The light from the right pulls me away from where the elements of the composition are pointing me. When I flip it horizontally, the light reinforces starting at the left and then proceeding to the peak which feels more natural. Posted: 10/09/2026 21:14:37
Michael, thanks for the comments. I may try to tone down the brighter clouds in the upper right. Posted: 10/14/2026 21:36:18
Kenneth Taylor
Great image! I agree that the mountain peaks in the middle to be a distraction. Posted: 10/15/2026 00:02:53
Post processing the image looks lot better.I understand that probably you wanted create layers with the dry twig, however I feel that it is too insignificant to hold attention, and the scattered vegetation in the mid?ground doesn't create structure or flow. I would still keep the twig as it ancors the foreground and gives the eyes a starting point.I cropped the image . Have a look (attached image is just cropped) . In color grading I would try to pop the sands bit more. Posted: 10/16/2026 14:43:52
Hi Bill. This is a very picturesque dune image with a lot to like - the warm sand contrasting with the blue sky, the sharp contrast with the dark mountain, the leading lines in the sand ripples and dune edges.
I think my comment would be just that there might be too much. It is almost several images in one, and I find myself wanting to create simpler compositions cropping in on parts of the overall image. I played around with the image and came up with several ideas along those lines. There is a lot there to play around with, so you might explore sub-compositions. Just a thought. Posted: 10/28/2026 17:29:47
I think my comment would be just that there might be too much. It is almost several images in one, and I find myself wanting to create simpler compositions cropping in on parts of the overall image. I played around with the image and came up with several ideas along those lines. There is a lot there to play around with, so you might explore sub-compositions. Just a thought. Posted: 10/28/2026 17:29:47