dj.tigersprout's photoblog
Glowing Dunes, Sci Fi Landscape (Wadi Rum)
Posted by dj.tigersprout (New York City, United States) on 31 August 2009 in Landscape & Rural and Portfolio.
hello everyone! i have been feeling pretty good lately. :) i seem to have turned another corner in photoshop this past week during which i have finished 2 photos i am very very happy with! i am not only happy with how they turned out, but also because it seems to me that my CS3 workflow has somehow also changed a bit -- i seem to be using the same tools a bit differently, becoming more flexible and creative with them.
i cannot believe it will be a year since i began working with photoshop come mid september. what i thought would probably be a step in the right direction and a good personal investment has certainly done the job, taking me to a completely new level of post production. i had thought there might be a possibility that i would spend the money and then never properly learn to use the program -- i was warned that this had happened to a good deal of people.
lucky for me, what started as quite basic and frustrating forays, has now turned into a wonderfully rewarding adventure. i simply LOVE working in photoshop!! i love the interface, and i love experimenting with new tools, even if they don't seem to be too useful at first. some point down the line i go to use the tool again and i find there is an idea brewing that just might work well during the application. i also find myself working faster and faster -- what would certainly have taken a few hours now takes me 30 minutes! :)
anyways, here is one of the two latest shots -- this one i processed just last night. i had originally shot for a very long foreground of sand as i loved the excellent patterning and textures -- but while processing it last night, i decided to crop out a good 30% of the foreground to leave me with a more semi-circular sand dune shape that then falls away into the intriguing sci-fi back drop.
stay tuned -- the second of the 2 shots is coming up in the next few weeks! hope all of you are well!! best wishes from new york city! :)
cheers!
jaycee / dj.tigersprout
all work protected by Creative Commons
Mirko Herzner from Germany
Indeed an excellent Sci-Fi-image, DJ. I love how you worked with colors and crop here. The fine structure of the foreground is so successful. Can't wait for picture #2.
31 Aug 2009 5:19am
@Mirko Herzner: thanks much Mirko!! :) and i am almost ready to start work on my own blurb book!!! thanks heaps for the heads up about that online company and for the link!! very excited! :)
Marion from Nanaimo, BC, Canada
You don't show up very often, but it is always worth the wait. Your cropping is excellent and the colors are just magnificient. A gorgeous, gorgeous picture DJ.
31 Aug 2009 5:36am
@Marion: thanks very much Marion!! :) yes -- i am trying to make time for as much as i need to get done here in NYC so i can hopefully start getting paid work in landscape photography!! so i am changing my focus a bit -- less am3, more job hunting and experiementing with photoshop and other programs!!! i am also working on a printed portfolio and blurb book!! so much to do! so little time! :) thanks again! x
jamesy from christchurch, New Zealand
wow stunning DJ if I could give this 10 stars I would but had to settle for 5. Just beautiful
31 Aug 2009 6:11am
@jamesy: thanks much Deb!!! i was in a bit of shock myself when i finished the processing! everything just 'popped' dimensionally!! :)
10Fraction from Rennes, France
infinity, beauty, pecefulness, a landscape that's a perfect reflection of creator's beauty itself. Once again, a great picture
31 Aug 2009 6:24am
@10Fraction: thanks very much mate!!! :)
Steve Rice from Olympia, United States
This must be a Star Wars set. This is gorgeous!
31 Aug 2009 7:04am
@Steve Rice: thanks Steve!! i was quite shocked to hear that all those faabulous Star Wars sets were actually from Tunisia!!! guess i will have to go there too!!! :)
Giovanni from Milan, Italy
This is a fantastic shot DJ! Love the composition: the sand in the foreground really adds depth to the image!
31 Aug 2009 7:15am
@Giovanni: thanks heaps mate! :) cheers to you!!
Linerberry from Sumner, Christchurch, New Zealand
Wowzer!!! A stunning piece Jaycee!! I'm pleased to hear that Photoshop is working for you. I have just got Elements3 and I don't seem to have the time to get to 'know' it as I would like but then I always want to know things yesterday!!! Its great to know that it can be mastered and so well!!! Great work dj:-)
31 Aug 2009 8:16am
@Linerberry: thanks heaps Liners!!! :) as for Elements 3, take your time!! it is slow going at first... but you will be surprised at how fast time passes! i can't believe it has been a year already!! :) xoxox
Zing from Hamilton, New Zealand
Beautiful view, love the lines in the sand, great shot!
31 Aug 2009 8:32am
@Zing: thanks mate!
MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany
It was worth the effort: you master your tools. But I also think that your 'raw material' already was excellent, too! :-)
31 Aug 2009 9:05am
@MadScientist: thanks heaps MS!! :) lucky for me 30 years of loving and practising visual arts might just pay off!! ;)
grouser from Ludlow, United Kingdom
More stunning colour and I love the wind texture in the foreground.
31 Aug 2009 9:31am
@grouser: cheers mate!! thanks!
Yvonne Simons from Tilburg, Netherlands
Hello, here I am again! You've worked hard again, this is true craftsmanship!
31 Aug 2009 11:55am
@Yvonne Simons: thanks Yvonne!! and welcome back from your trip!! :)
@David Nos: thanks very much mate!! :) cheers!
john4jack from Corvallis, Oregon, United States
Nice commentary. Excellent detail throughout.
31 Aug 2009 2:52pm
@john4jack: cheers!! :)
@Daryl Johnson: thanks mate!
shoti from Everywhere in the, Philippines
this is just breathtaking! fantastic work! this should be my favorite among your masterpieces! :)
31 Aug 2009 3:35pm
@shoti: thanks very much mate!!! it has instantly hopped to the top of my favorites too!!! :)
MARIANA from Waterloo, Canada
wow.. you come on Am once in a while , and every time you come here it is grandiose :) SUPER !!
31 Aug 2009 4:02pm
@MARIANA: thanks Mariana!!! :) yes -- taking a semi-break from am3 to do other things!!
Calusarus from St Sorlin en Valloire, France
Magical colour of this sand… A beautiful result
31 Aug 2009 4:07pm
@Calusarus: thanks mate!
Paco Díaz from Palma de Mallorca, Spain
How deep phpoto, my friend, vary sharp and colorful. A splendid image of the desert.
31 Aug 2009 4:31pm
@Paco Díaz: Gracias Paco!!
Stephen Phillips from San Francisco, United States
You have grown in so many ways with your photography, Jaycee - and this image represents that maturity so very well. This is excellent, period - top to bottom. A very happy and well earned 5 Stars to you sir. Congrats!
31 Aug 2009 4:34pm
@Stephen Phillips: thanks very much Stephen!! :) now i need to pick up Lightroom 2 and add that to my workflow!!! :)
Michael Rawluk from Williams Lake, BC, Canada
That is amazing. I just can't get over those colours and what a great composition.
As to PS, like everything else in life, things that are easy to learn just do not have the impact on your life like the challenging and frustrating things.
31 Aug 2009 4:38pm
@Michael Rawluk: thanks heaps Michael -- and you are so right -- add a bit of complexity and challenge, and theh end result is much more worth it!! :)
António Pires from Lisbon, Portugal
I think you included the proper amount of foreground. Beautiful image.
Cheers Jaycee.
31 Aug 2009 5:44pm
@António Pires: thank you kindly Antonio!
peter from new york, United States
you're killing it with these shots jaycee! feels like i'm on mars or something. i need to pick up photoshop and get cracking too. lightroom is great but i need that little extra bump. i start a new job in a couple weeks so maybe we can meet up soon. hope all is well mate!
31 Aug 2009 6:56pm
@peter: thanks Peter!!! :) yes -- maybe next week? :) congrats on the new job!!!
Graham Russon from Cape Town, South Africa
Great shot and great processing. PS is a wonderful tool, just takes time and patience :)
31 Aug 2009 7:01pm
@Graham Russon: yes indeed!! :) thanks Graham!!
@Veronelle: thanks Veronelle!! :)
@manel: Gracias amigo!! :)
baobab from Cambridge, United States
great textures dj, and very nice post-processing. thanks for taking us to Mars... :)
if you have the time and patience to educate others, perhaps you could include a brief summary of your pp steps in your descriptions of your shots?
31 Aug 2009 8:50pm
@baobab: thank you kindly!! and sure! when i post picture number #2 i will write a short summary of my workflow!! :) cheers to you!
dan from Paris, France
This end of the world, I shall like seeing it) at least once because the beauty of a landscape makes feel intense feelings.
31 Aug 2009 8:54pm
@dan: thanks Dan!! yes -- go to jordan!! you will never forget the experience!! :)
k@ from Paris, France
The round dome-like foreground makes it so surreal again, you really make me feel like visiting RED !
31 Aug 2009 9:38pm
@k@: thanks Karine!!! you MUST make this trip!!! it is simply unbelieveable! :)
akarui from Kagoshima, Japan
Excellent framing with the round sand dune in the foreground and the pass in the mountains further away. A wonderful picture!!
31 Aug 2009 11:59pm
@akarui: thanks Olivier!!! :)
Howard F. from South Pasadena, Calif., United States
Great workflow, the image is coming out loud and clear!
I really like your foreground, it's very inviting, as it slopes down to the plain, and I am now seeing the funky rock formation in the background. Excellent comp and color Jaycee.
1 Sep 2009 12:37am
@Howard F.: thanks much Howard!!! :)
Steven from Chicagoland, United States
Beautiful capture here with so many elements like color, formations and patterns coming together to make this a great composition. So glad to hear that you are experiencing those "Aha!" moments using Photoshop. You made a good decision with your cropping.
1 Sep 2009 12:40am
@Steven: thanks Steven!! cheers!
John Maslowski from Dallas, PA, United States
These latest images are absolutely breathtaking. I'm truly impressed. What an amazing landscape, so desolate, yet so beautiful. Excellent composition. A place I'm sure you will always remember.
1 Sep 2009 1:47am
@John Maslowski: thanks John! and i surely will remember it forever -- the good news is that i plan to go back many times over the course of my life!! it is now a part of me!! :) cheers to you!
One from Açores, Portugal
Magnificent shoot in this desert land ! the colors are phenomenal !
A fantastic composition !
1 Sep 2009 2:07am
@One: thanks much Leone!!! :)
Elaine- from Canada
absolutely freakin' fantastic jaycee!!!! make sure you put this one in your portfolio!!! isn't photoshop great? xoxoxoxox luv ya babe, don't ever change!!
1 Sep 2009 3:34am
@Elaine-: thanks doll!! :) lol -- anyways i don't think at this point in my life i CAN change -- for better or for worse!! ;) kisses to you! xoxo
Kenton from Calgary, Canada
I'm almost speechless, this is amazingly beautiful. The colours, textures and composition are all spot on.
1 Sep 2009 3:35am
@Kenton: thanks Kenton! :)
Monique from Koh Samui, Thailand
I don't have words for this ... I just watch this beautiful landscape with my mouth wide open ;) So beautiful and a great capture!
1 Sep 2009 3:48am
@Monique: many thanks Monique!!! :) eventhough i was there physically -- it is so nice to be able to 'remember' it visually with this and some of the other shots -- it all comes right back!!! :)
@amy: thanks heaps amy!! :)
callemie from Belgium
when <i see your pictures I'm glad that I took the decision to start my photoclasses!
this is an amazing picture!
1 Sep 2009 6:21am
@callemie: thanks darling!! :) xoxo
Marie LC from Voiron, France
Merveilleux Wadi Rum que tu as su saisir dans toute sa beauté
1 Sep 2009 6:43am
@Marie LC: thanks Marie!! :)
@Sriram: thank you!
@rem_la: yes Rem!! go and visit -- it is an amazing place, so beautiful... as if from dreamland!!! :) thanks!
Aurore from Paris, France
These curves, lines and colors are... gorgeous (again) !!! Is it really on earth ???
Wonderful anyway ;)
1 Sep 2009 10:31am
@Aurore: thanks Aurore!!! yes -- JORDAN!! it is simply a STUNNING place -- you will feel like you are walking on Mars!! :)
Ken from United States
Am I the first to comment? yes?...no....Ha! Jaycee, love the sand lines that bring the eye to the background. What exit off the FDR is this? :) Have a great September day!
1 Sep 2009 4:13pm
@Ken: thanks Kenny!! :)
grant from kansas city, United States
i think this crop works perfectly. this is really a stunning image jaycee.
1 Sep 2009 5:39pm
@grant: thanks Grant!! :) i was very happily surprised... can't believe it had been lying around unprocessed for the last 1.5 years!! this image really makes me want to go back now -- and see more of this amazing desert!
Evelyne Dubos from Le Mans, France
A superb landscape, of course !! Love the colors and the pattern of sandy foreground.
1 Sep 2009 9:02pm
@Evelyne Dubos: thanks Eveylne!!
bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada
I love how this goes on forever! The promise of colour beyond what they eye can see. Spectacular in every way.
2 Sep 2009 2:13am
@bluechameleon: thanks heaps BC!! :)
Ivar from Indianapolis, United States
Wonderful colors and awesome view. Like the composition too. Nice one
2 Sep 2009 3:22am
@Ivar: Cheers Ivar!! :)
Magda from Vancouver, Canada
Wow! Absolutely breathtaking! The tones and light are to perfection!!! Gorgeous!
2 Sep 2009 4:18am
@Magda: thanks heaps Magda!! :)
@Ian Bramham: thanks Ian!!
Jeremie from St-Etienne - Paris, France
We travel with you Jaycee, beautiful landscape...
2 Sep 2009 1:50pm
@Jeremie: thanks mate!! :)
@alex centrella: thanks Alex!
Laurent from Lyon, France
just WAOU!!
What a beautiful picture for a so gorgeous place.
The composition and light are very good and add to the general feeling
3 Sep 2009 4:45am
@Laurent: merci a toi Laurent!!! :) great to hear from you!
San G. from Encino, California, United States
ah-maze-ing. It makes me feel ike I'm a little ant and this must be average sized. BUT NO! This is immense! The world is wonderful and you see it and share it, and we're the better for it. WOW.
3 Sep 2009 7:32am
@San G.: thanks heaps Sandy!! :) hope all is well in California!! x
@kerfendal: thanks mate!!
hugo poon from hong kong, Hong Kong
Oh Jaycee, sorry being so late to the party - time just doesn't seem to mine these days! Anyway, just want to let you know that I love this very very much even more than the previous pic.! The colours, the forms, the patterns, the framing... are all fantastic!!!!
Take care and have fun my friend!:-)
3 Sep 2009 3:31pm
@hugo poon: thanks heaps Hugo!! :) hope you are well too -- i feel you about the lack of time thing... it always seems to be bedtime -- and i don't want to go to sleep! too much to do!
beanow from Warsaw, Poland
Wow!!! Fantastic landscape. Wonderful colours and composition. Great work!!!
3 Sep 2009 5:13pm
@beanow: thanks much Bea!!! :) x
@Twelvebit: thanks mate!! :)
Andrew Gould from Australia
Superb image, Jaycee. The layering and the light make this absolutely sublime! (I know what you mean about discovering how to use tools better in PS.)
4 Sep 2009 4:43am
@Andrew Gould: thanks Andrew!! Hope you are well!
Ana Lúcia from Leiria, Portugal
Oh my! those hues are just spectacular Jaycee... just extraordinary! and what a view.
4 Sep 2009 7:39am
@Ana Lúcia: thanks very much Ana!! :)
@Eleftheria: thanks Eleftheria!! have a great weekend! :)
Curly from South Shields, United Kingdom
This is an absolutely outstanding result, it would hang in any gallery!
4 Sep 2009 7:47pm
@Curly: Hello and many thanks for the visit and comment!! :) cheers!!
@Marie: thank you Marie!!
willow from Chelsea, United States
Beautiful as always. I like the crop. The thing that keeps catching my eye, though, is the little spot that is just about dead center in the first dune - looks like a rock with a shadow maybe?. Whatever it is, it's the perfect focal point probably because of the contrasting lines of the shadow crossing the ripples in the sand. Very eye-catching.
5 Sep 2009 3:33pm
@willow: thanks very much Willow!! :)
10Fraction from Rennes, France
I leave you here the link to my new photoblog.
I left Facebook because it was very demanding to manage both photography, facebook, poetry and other stuff.Sorry for that
5 Sep 2009 4:28pm
@10Fraction: thanks for the notice mate!!! no worries!! i have your new site bookmarked!! :)
Onlymehdi from Wayne, United States
OH WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW
oh i missed these pics
i think i am kinda back to look at these beautiful photos. thank you for your support. will soon make my own politic blog and leave aminus3 just for pictures as i use to. your kind words mean so much
6 Sep 2009 3:37am
@Onlymehdi: thanks very much Mehdi!! :) if you start a new blog, let me know!!! all the best to you and your family!!
Luis A. De Jesus R. from Mexico City, Mexico
Five stars for me. Breathless view, amazing photograph.
6 Sep 2009 7:39am
@Luis A. De Jesus R.: thanks very much Luis!!! :)
Bill Jennings from (Bay Area Northern Calif), United States
Jaycee - fantastic! Love your newfound skills in PS - congrats! Well done.
7 Sep 2009 4:37am
@Bill Jennings: thanks much Bill!!! :)
@Stefan: thanks heaps Stefan!
Mike from Lichfield, United Kingdom
You'll never stop learning with Photoshop DJ! This photo is nothing short of awesome. I need to take myself on a vacation and visit this truly breathtaking part of the planet.
9 Sep 2009 10:52am
@Mike: thanks Mike!! :) and yes -- please take yourself to southern jordan -- you can thank me later!!! :) cheers to you!
coriandre from Villeneuve sur lot, France
J'aime beaucoup cette photo qui flatte mon imaginaire. La perspective et les couleurs sont extaraordinaires
30 Oct 2009 7:25pm
Canon EOS REBEL XT
1/50 second
F/5.6
ISO 200
37 mm