Mutou Valley Photo

Photographer’s Note

A misty/ dusty and cold morning in Xinjiang Province near the Bezeklik Caves. This picture was taken at around 7am in the middle of the Flaming Mountains near Turpan on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert.
The Flaming Mountains are renowned as being the hottest place in China during the summer, and most of the region is below sea level. The second lowest place on earth is nearby at -154m elevation, but sadly during my stay in Xinjiang we experianced more dust, sand and wind than heat. An amazing place to visit though, and I recommend it to anyone.
I've had trouble deciding the best way to present this picture and after having experimented with many things in photoshop, I keep deciding the original is the best version. Anyone who wishes to give me a workshop on bringing it to life a little more would be appreciated!

swiatopelk777, MLINES, mafegan, kyzer, CMJC, zmey has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

swiatopelk777 (8198) 2008-05-07 11:19

Howdy Lee!
Good take. Fantastic lightness. Original capture.
Cheers!

MLINES (10856) 2008-05-07 21:53

Hi Lee, It is certainly a forbidding place. Your notes describe somewhere i have not heard of previously. Interesting that it is below sealevel, most unusual. TFS. Murray.

Stepan (27175) 2008-05-08 0:20

Not an usual post in a starting gallery. Sounds your following posts should be original and inspired... Will check that out...
Whatever, there is a mood here. Nothing but a mood and that's what I appreciate. The off-centering was important to have the effectiveness. Well seen.
Stéphane
PS : And welcome on TE.

mafegan (4115) 2008-05-08 2:34

Hi Lee
The mist and dust have provided a dramatic backdrop and the details on the tree stump have helped create an interesting composition. Your notes describe somewhere I have never heard of before. Thank you,
Marlene

kyzer (337) 2008-05-21 4:16

Hi Lee,

The colors are so natural .. the tree that was .. imagine how much history this tree would have witnessed..

Once again do not get disheartened if no body stops by to give comment.. there are two things either you or too busy or you are too lazy..

For me the first one is the case...

But surely keep track of you..

Congrats
Paddyrags

CMJC (3104) 2008-07-22 5:25

I like the sweet colors and I like this tree... but what sort of life did he have?
cann we find other tree in this place?
(for the photo a litle more sharpness cann be a litle better?...)

zmey (7244) 2008-12-08 7:19

hello Lee
I like the mood in this one: reminiscent of the sights I've seen in the former Central Asian republics of the former USSR. well composed too.

warm regards,
kristaps