Shape and Line - Best of Show Advanced Traditional - October 2009

Photographer:  Terry Kness
Image Title:  Shape and Line
Date:  October 2009 - Best of Show Advanced Traditional
Score:  24/27
Comments from Judges: Like the diagonal line; shadows and patterns

Q. How did you set the shot up?

I first checked the weather.  I needed clear skys to get nice shadows on the dunes.  The best shots are from the top of the dunes, so I climbed 700 ft up in steep soft sand, late in the afternoon.  I needed to be in place as the sun lowers and the shadows increase.  I set up  my tripod on a high point and then I looked for shape, line, contrast,  texture,and form.  This picture had crossing lines and great shadows, it was about ¼ mile away so I used a telophoto lens to isolate and compress the scene.

Q. What equipment did you use?

I use Canon equipment, 40D DSLR, 100-400 telephoto zoom lens IS, light weight gitzo tripod and cable release. I took a wide 10-20 mm lens with as well.

Q. What f-stop and exposure?

360mm , F-16, aperture priority, I wanted good depht of field.

Q. How many attempts before the success?

I took somewhere between 300-400 images in a 3 hr. period. I changed location a few times to get a different perspective. I'm never sure if I have a good image until I see them in the computer.  On this particular picture I  took several shots at different times, angles, and focal length.  I just liked the overlapping lines.

Q. What did you learn from taking the shot?

Isolation and compression of a long lens made this picture.  Also keeping the horizon out made this a more powerful image. This picture is a real place but it could be an abstract as well.  This image is more of a product of what I've learned on previous trips, I've ben to the dunes 5 times now.

Q. What did you learn from the image being judged at competition?

The sand dunes are beautiful when there is great light on them.  I composed this image because I thought it had impact. It was nice to have that confirmed by others in the club.