These are the basics of fine art landscape for me. It’s also about lines. Converging lines and parallel lines are also part of the equation along with such thoughts as shadow, contrast and exposure latitude. All of these things go into the joy of the what I like to call -the thrill of the hunt and the excitement of the chase-.

The more of these elements that are in my composition the stronger it gets. When I am missing elements I try and make up for them with others.

In the image featured here from our most recent visit I realized that the time of day, a clear blue sky and high winds did not offer much in the way of contrast or soft light. Instead using a Canon 500 f/4 IS and 1.4 extender I was able to concentrate on lines and shape.

After deciding that being on the dunes in the high wind was not going to be possible the longer reach of the lens provided the opportunity isolate aspects of the distant landscape. Holding depth of field with such magnification is difficult and this made choosing a final composition difficult as well. The foliage was the focal point for me. The struggle for life in such an extreme climate has always fascinated me.

Canon 5D ll and Singh-Ray Color Combo polarizer drop-in filter.