Climbing the dunes, a photo from Er Rachidia, South

Photographer's Note

This photo was shot in the Merzouga dunes. This place is close to El Rachidia and Erfoud in the south east part of the Atlas mountains facing the Algerian border. The whole desert area is locally called Erg Chebbi.

The scene took place at sunset the day we arrived in Merzouga during our funny camels tour in the dune. The sympathic guy ahead was our Berber camels owner. At the feet of the biggest dune of the Merzouga desert, we left the camels to try to go up the hill. After a 10 minutes walk, we were unable to go higher : the walk in the sand was so exhausting that we gave up and decided to stay in the middle of the dune to look at the fantastic sunset.

I'm quite proud of this shot because I made no crop to this shot and only adjsuted the color balance and the contrast.

Rute_Santos, Philip, hispic, lucinka, trasher, logios, benkrut, klyee75, zain, yanka23 oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

AdrianW (2274) 2003-11-07 2:01

Excellent desert shot! I love the way you've managed to balance the top of the dune with the man walking up it - and the footprints guide us into the image nicely. Exposure appears to be spot on too. Well done :-D

[2]

CVTJan (1244) 2003-11-07 2:13

What more can you ask for in such a shot ???

Luko (14000) 2003-11-07 2:26

Excellent shot steven!
Superb colors plus a very nice split compo, a very good feature also that shadow and light split on the man's back in the same way.

A special bonus for the bottom foot prints which are so distinctively drawn on the sand : it almost looks drawn on purpose, cartoonlike footprints.

nwoehnl (122) 2003-11-07 2:27

This is magnificent, and you're quite rightly proud of it, Steven. The colors look great, and the contours in the lower part plus the man's footprints perfectly guide us into this shot. Congratulations!

liakoshim (565) 2003-11-07 2:30

great shot, i shall admit that your proudness is well justified. the compositon is so great, i like those little traces left by the berber, the light is perfect, it fact it should be perfect as at this time of the day the light is the best. congrats!

[2]

martin (1242) 2003-11-07 2:31

This is a stunning shot, Steven. The lighting and colours are amazing. You have timed the shot perfectly to get the man, with his raised right foot, in just the right place.

boof (634) 2003-11-07 2:58

very nice. good exposure. i like the peak of the duen line starting in the center and going off to the left at the top of the picture. the guy on the right bottom seems to balance it out as well. the guy looking off to the sunset and his footprints help to give the photo a good feel as well. love it.

[3]

lilybauer (103) 2003-11-07 3:11

Trčs beau cliché. Les différentes lignes de la dune donne une forme pyramidale intéressante.
Les traces de pas semblent une invitation ŕ suivre l'homme. Bravo !

orme (7219) 2003-11-07 3:16

An incredible shot. Great colours. I like the lovely smooth line between the golden sand on one side and the shade on the other.

quegardens (1469) 2003-11-07 3:37

You have every reason to be proud of this desert shot Steven;great composition,colour and lines.The note was also informative about the limitations of climbing desert sand dunes.

carper (96) 2003-11-07 3:58

amaising great shot. The collors and the actie is perfect. Well done

Jamiep (236) 2003-11-07 4:02

Nice shot - well seen.
Did you get any other shots from further back?
A shot showing the enormity of the dunes with the guy as a reference would be great.

henrye (3500) 2003-11-07 4:03

Great depth and sharpness in the shot. Nice, warm colors. I like the composition, and the footprints in the foreground adds a great touch!

Kenny10pin (19301) 2003-11-07 4:36

Lovely shot here indeed, good display of shadows and pure hot sand. I feel sorry for the mans feet, must be burning. Just one thing, in my point of view, i think it would be a very very nice picture if you took the photo a little more to the right, so you get more of the shiny light coloured sand than the shadows, but you have captured a very nice shot and well done

[3]

olli (2091) 2003-11-07 4:57

Everything has been said already so, I just want to congratulate you and give a very big smile...

maciekda (19895) 2003-11-07 5:05

beautiful picture, you really should be proud of it, it is unreal.. great colours - blue and orange, the sand looks so warm... and the walking man and the footprints behind him... absolutely great picture...

mtolloczko (201) 2003-11-07 6:11

This is a well balanced image. Well composed and a good subject. I guess it is autumn and the sand would be fine to walk barefooted on, in summer it must be like walking on red embers. Lovely textures, I particularly like the placement of the figure.

[2]

avigur_11 (22535) 2003-11-07 6:18

Wonderful, Steven. Everything has been said already. I'll crop a little bit from the sky.

Well done.

[workshop] [compare]

PLD_images (7149) 2003-11-07 7:04

You should be proud. This is an incredible photo. The colors, the shape of the dunes, the subject, the lighting, everything is perfect.

Wonderfull perfect photo.

tdanny (663) 2003-11-07 7:45

Perfecto ! Brilliant sharp shot with good contrast of colours and foot steps clearly stamped. Hope I could get such a great shot one day.

Didi (61587) 2003-11-07 9:37

On diait presque une bande dessinée ou un dessin animé de trčs bonne qualité.
L'image est trčs bien composée avec cette lumičre rasante qui crée un contraste bien équillibré d'ombre et de soleil.
Mon regard est attiré par l'homme qui grimpe la dune pour aboutir finalement au sommet qui se situe sur un point fort de l'image.

dominique (11414) 2003-11-07 13:46

Impressive photograph, a successful framing and colors astonishing, it is perfect.

Ebbe (9625) 2003-11-08 13:22

I can feel warm soft sand under my feet just looking at your picture. Normally the hill would have been in focus but this is so much better this time, showing the steps clearly.

CoolDan (2516) 2003-11-09 14:37

C'est une superbe photo Steven trčs bien composé d'orange et de bleu. Męme l'ombre des jambes de l'homme donne un effet irréel.
Great Shot.

padam (186) 2003-11-11 6:18

En plus de la composition qui est trčs bien réussie, je suis impressionné par le piqué et la qualité d'image. La douceur des traits dans le sable et le ciel sont vraiment sublimes. Cela donne une atmosphčre trčs agréable.

Porteplume (4032) 2003-11-13 15:26

Unbelievable! Such a smooth, clear, sharp image, such a perfect composition, the play of light and colours!
The shot everybody wants to make too once... ;o) And you made it well!

zto (268) 2003-11-20 14:04

You have all rights to be proud of this shot Steve. It is soo good. You can really imagen the hot sun, the thirst and how much his feet must hurt from walking in that sand. Could i have given you 3 points i would, today i can not even give you 1 since i ran out of points.

Edwin (188) 2003-12-02 13:03

A very very attractive photo Steven. The low sun really brings out the textures. Just love the man and his footprints! And he is so perfectly framed by sand without any disturbing elements. Also the blue of his clothes that returns in the sky and the reddish tones of the fabric around his head that returns here and there in the rest of your frame gives a very appealing mood. Superb work!

allotfy (1525) 2003-12-04 13:55

Really i'm proud to put my Critique in your perfect photo it is not only a perfect shot it is a design for poster .book cover or even if you printed alon best of luck to you

light (865) 2003-12-21 20:47

Excelent photoraph, superb definition, esplendid colors and tones. Extreme simplicity, superb txture and details of the footsteps. Incredible silouettes, delightfull escenary. Superb quality.

Riz (0) 2004-02-20 12:21

Great job in adjusting the color balance Steven it brings the photo- more to life it. So bright and vivid. I like the detail in the footprints! bravo

eleparc (24063) 2004-03-07 19:16

Steven, I agree : walking in the sand is harsh.. I know about it for I did it for 4 days in a row without camels. great for the thighs and buttocks though;-)A grand souvenir this trip in the desert..really worth the experience.

MyriamVillert (3223) 2004-03-14 13:58

This photograph is fabulous by its colors, its relief, its details, its framing! the traces of step and the surface of sand are splendid!

Rute_Santos (494) 2004-05-16 18:48

beutifull photo.Congratulations.Love the shadows of this photo.The colors are great.Like the position of the man.Well captured.

vkbhaskar (181) 2004-06-17 10:30 [Comment]

Show Comment

Philip (372) 2004-06-22 19:20

Steven, I would be proud of this shot too. Thanks for your comment on my photo. I have a way to go before landing a shot like this one. Take care!

cyril (2748) 2004-07-20 9:28

Really a great composition with excellent light
the foot prints add something to your picture.
One of my favorite.
Cyril

vsl (47) 2004-07-24 11:09

This is huge!!!
What a great moment of inspiration!

SylFondacci (4087) 2004-08-02 18:00

Quelle pureté dans cette photo !!!!!!!

emralc (174) 2004-09-30 7:00 [Comment]

Show Comment

jbweasle (9393) 2004-10-22 21:05

Very beautiful picture. The colours are perfect and I like the texture in the foreground sand.

lucinka (9976) 2004-11-13 4:24

Excellent combination of blue and orange color. Very warm and inspiring photo. Thanks for inspiration. L.

trasher (195) 2005-01-10 21:02

As some people said before... so unreal! Congratulations!

faubry (35447) 2005-01-14 6:13

trčs belle couleur et véridique,comme en Mauritanie, l'attrait mystique des dunes, le vertige devant cette infini....
merci

ccosma (276) 2005-07-13 11:41

This is just an awesome picture! Great color contrasts and composition.

MisterWhite (340) 2005-07-13 11:47

Excellent shot! Great composition, colors and light! Super that the man is wearing something blue too, nice repetition of color.

ayobami (1353) 2005-07-13 11:57

great image! Wonderful lines and contrast of colors! I love the barefeet especially!

bullabulla (3488) 2005-08-03 7:32

Bonjour Steven
je vois que tu as fait de spendides photos ŕ Merzouga!
celle ci est impressionante vraiment
pour ma part j'ai marché 1h30 dans le desert car je n'ai pas aimé monter a chameau!
Bravos cette photo est magique
Laetitia

leonardhuller (53) 2005-09-13 13:21

A beautiful shot!
I love the contrast between the sand and the sky. The first two footsteps in the sand makes me wanna enter the picture and follow this man. Just awesome, so alive!

keribar (43841) 2005-10-03 1:15

Salut Steven,

Tu as raison d'en ętre fier, je l'aurais été aussi. Tu pourrais voir ma photo ( Dans TE ) faite au męme endroit, il y'a quelque temps. Bonne semaine - Izzet

shayes (499) 2005-10-18 9:31

This picture is great on so many levels. You've probably heard it all..but here goes my opinion! I love the bright colours, and the contrast between the shadow and lit parts of the sand-dune. My favorite parts are the footsteps in the sand and the mans long shadow. Were you on a sanddune yourself? How did you get the POV so high? Well done! :)

napdsp (744) 2006-01-09 23:41

Wonderful colors and great contrast. Simply perfect. TFS.

Mistral (15402) 2006-01-30 13:57

Hi Steven,
really well done! I'd like to be there now! Feeling the hot sand under my feet and listen to the breath of the wind. I particularly like the lines on the orange sand and the general framing. A smile
Luca

klyee75 (778) 2006-02-23 20:09

You have every reason to be proud of this desert shot Steven;great composition,colour and lines.The note was also informative about the limitations of climbing desert sand dunes.

sebinho342 (19329) 2006-05-01 8:41

Salut Steven, mais quel scandale et quelle sandale! Elle mérite 100 celle la !! :))
ça me fait plaisir de l'y emmener car c'est typoiquement le style de photo dont je raffole, elle est trčs pure, trčs minimaliste, mais quelles couleurs, d'une sacrée pureté ... t'es un sacré baroudeur toi aussi ;)

alainmado (64) 2006-05-02 14:31

invitation au voyage. merveilleuse photo avec belles perspectives de la montée
bravo

olirey (193) 2006-05-11 22:05

Wonderful. It's now one of my favorite pictures. The berber walking away adds a lot to an already impressive sight. Thank you for sharing.

smarrero (530) 2006-06-07 9:13

Hello Steven,

great shot. The colours are really beautifull. The pic is fantastic.

Thanks for share.

Isab (865) 2006-10-24 23:20

Salut Steven,
quelle belle photo, les couleurs et les textures sont superbes. C'est vraiment une photo incroyable.
Isabelle

Albrecht (11283) 2007-02-19 15:35

Hi Steven
Such a sharp and beautiful coloured scene;great shot!!
greetings Albrecht

zain (58) 2007-04-08 9:16

Fantastic colours and awesome contrast. Well composed tfs

KKar (486) 2007-08-08 0:37

This is an excelent picture steven. The volumes the color tones and the human feagure (not too distant not too familiar)colaborate perfectly . My attention wat captured by the footprints on the sand
Excelent eye for photographs
KOstas

dontend (3) 2007-08-24 15:27

Je découvre seulement maintenant ces photos.....Et tu n' es męme pas monté jusqu'en haut des dunes!!!! Pourtant moi, je ne suis vraiment pas sportif, mais ce n' était pas si terrible que çŕ quand j'y suis monté.
Mais l' essentiel c'est que tes photos sont magnifiques (les autres aussi)

steliosk (4802) 2007-10-20 1:48

Great composition
Great colour
Great POV

Regards
Stelios

ayansadhu (1502) 2008-01-17 10:40

Fantastic composition & excellent desert photography.The color saturation is great which attracts the most.

evojim (180) 2009-09-19 9:05

This photo is well compose in many aspects such as rule of third and color complementary. Here are what I like the most of this photo. 1) Side lighting creates texture and dimension for this photo. 2) The lonely traveler give me a sense of adventure and audacity. Very well done!!!

xramm (1831) 2010-07-31 14:13

Hi Steven,
excellent colors of desert, good composition.
Great POV!
Regards,
Hakki

msadurski (234) 2013-02-26 14:49