Monday, June 8, 2009

Rethinking the Dunes

I wanted to briefly go back and wrap up my post regarding the Algodones Dunes: "Solitude and Civilization", that I posted a few weeks ago.  At the time, I mentioned working some exposures from that session in both color and monochrome, so here is one B&W version that is very similar in composition to the color one posted previously.  You can see that it's essentially the same shot, although I shifted position slightly to lessen the size of the deep shadow on the right side of the frame.. it seemed a little overbearing in this monochrome version. Other than that, I don't have any strong preference between the two, maybe slightly towards the B&W, so I'd be interested to hear any opinions.
Check out lots of fine B&W images at: The Monochrome Weekly Theme page.  

15 comments:

betchai said...

very hard to choose which one would i prefer, both have beautiful shadows, the other shows the stunning color in the desert, but the monochrome shot i think speaks a lot more meaning for me coz that is how i relate to the beauty of the desert. that a landscape does not always have to be green and colorful to be beautiful. barren and devoid of colors it may be, but the deep beauty is in earth's cycles, textures, curves and forms. so, i would have to say i lean towards the B&W.

roentare said...

Mark, another very fine image with such a clean and effective signature style from you.

I really enjoy this post with the aim to re-explore the beauty of black and white photography

Anonymous said...

The colour is glorious and would not look out of place in Nat. Geographic but the mono belongs in an art collection. Quite the one for me.

Meghann said...

The black and white is simply stunning. Very visually appealing, very dynamic, very intense and moody - I love it :)

Joanne Olivieri said...

The black and white has a clean and smooth aspect which adds a bit of mystery to the photo. I like it very much.

Thorne said...

Quite striking. Curves and lines and deep shadow. A shot like this is so evocative to me; of solitude and silence and space.
Thorne's World (I hope you don't mind the return link. I don't blog at blogger or use open ID, and would love a return visit!)

Anonymous said...

Converting to pure tonal values certainly accentuates the sculptural forms and texture. You have managed to get a wide range of tones and for me, this one is better. Well done Mark.

Ashrays said...

Hard to decide sir,! and by the end we will all be deaf from the sound of splitting hairs it's that difficult!

Not that I know much, but I would go with the B&W and not knowing much I can't technically explain why just a gut feeling :)

but that does not help does it sorry :(

Bob Johnson said...

Very cool!!

Unknown said...

Mark,

Color and BW are both great and perharps i prefer the composition with less shadow on the right but thats really difficult to compare between the color and the monochrome version. I think the viewer doesn' expect the same things from these different kind of images.

And, why would we have to choose :)

storybeader said...

it's lovely! So different from color!

earthtoholly.com said...

Wow, Mark, you have such an amazing eye...

I love both, but I especially love the simplicity of the b&w...all of those graceful ripples and the putty color. Both are gorgeous, though.

Andy Richards said...

Hi Mark: Its been too long. I am a color guy, through and through. I have had very little personal success with B&W and really gravitate to color photographs. However, there are just some times when B&W really evokes the essence of a photograph better than anything else can. I think this is an example.

Mark Alan Meader said...

Hi all: Thanks for the thoughtful input. Personally, I have a slight preference for the B&W, but that may be just my current frame of mind. Like Patrick says, no real need to choose one over the other... just like to check which way the wind is blowing once in a while:)

JaviZ said...

Love this B&W, so well done!!!! It really deserves to be part of an important wall.