Salar de Surire and comfort zone Photo

Photographer’s Note

slightly different view on the psychodelic landscape of Salar de Surire, a salt flat at 4,200 m (13,776 ft) above sea level (earlier I had posted this view of the same place). there's no tilt, uneven line in the foreground is a curved shoreline of the salt lake, cannot (don't want) to change that. oh, and the tiny dots in the water are flamingos.

why the reference to comfort zone? well, this is a landscape shot, and I consider landscapes my comfort zone. and here's a confession - I'm really annoyed with myself that I'm too lazy to leave this zone. I hope that's temporary.

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RAW, ISO 100, 52mm focal length, spot metering.

fulvio52, pauloog, casperduppy, azaf1, dareco, hispic, alainh, Floydian, Elaine_Blath, sevy, Bluejeans, Greg1949, Cretense, bostankorkulugu, cherryripe, ciakgiak, Dpbours, zmey, Wandering_Dan, clio, edytungkal, gunbud, Philippe, AiresSantos, BelCan75, Klaracolor, xavshot, patdeph, plimrn, zeca, carper, Angshu has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

npecanhuk (14600) 2009-04-22 13:07

Hi Kristine!
The visual effects with colors, shapes and textures in this picture are simply fantastic!
Your series on Chile is totally awesome!
TFS - Congratulations!
Best regards,
Neyvan

jiherka (4465) 2009-04-22 13:15

Hello Kristine,
Always a beautiful landscape. I like the sky and hte clouds that are giving the answer to the white of the salt.
Well done.
Salutations
Jacques

yquem46 (8435) 2009-04-22 13:28

hello Kristine
why dont you stay in this zone for a while. what you're posting here is far from being bad !!
I have a theme on salt, I'm not sure that you know it. feel free to add this one in the theme if you feel like to
Cheers
patrick

fulvio52 (8314) 2009-04-22 13:29

Hi, Kristine.
Long time no see, but I've been gone for weeks too, due to my work. For a moment I thought I was looking at a Fata Morgana sort of reflection, with the lower part of the picture being virtual... Amazing effect, wonderful colors, incredible landscape! I'm not too sure about being annoyed at yourself for not leaving a comfort zone that, judging from the results, is very obviously in your blood. LOL! Have a nice day, I reckon I'll be back posting by monday next week. See ya soon,
Fulvio.

sayeed_rahman (2301) 2009-04-22 13:29

Hello Kristine ?

the subtle change in colurs...tones..saturation...layers...moods..what do you think you are up to ?? :))

Today i was reading an article on landscape photography and there was a line by this famous p'grapher...said ..in landscape photography little is beautiful,little is most essential...

i can see what he means..its very easy to get lost in the vastness of the area..one need to "see" and workout what is enough..

Youve been doing that all along..

Pleasure

Cheers
sayeed

pauloog (6873) 2009-04-22 13:33

Hello Kristine,
An amazing place, so clear at the high altitude and the pure air...
Fine contrasts of forms and colours.
Aned let the flamingo's thrive...
Regards,
Paul

casperduppy (1468) 2009-04-22 13:42

Hello Kristine,
What a captivating scene. Psychedelic like you say! Quite a contrast between the colours, from the deep sea blue of the sky to the emerald green water. One really does sense the mighty scale knowing what the dots are. Fantastic! All the best, Casper

ElaB (94) 2009-04-22 13:42

Amazing colours and contrast, lines of water, clouds and mountains go together perfectly.

diomed (4587) 2009-04-22 14:33

Hi Kristine,
you arer right: it's really a psychedelic landscape with suche a yellow line in the middle. I like the horizontal patterns and the deep blue sky with amazing clouds. Well done!
Nice Thursday
Antonio

dareco (17104) 2009-04-22 19:37

These colors are great!! I love that beautiful blue sky!! Awesome scenery, very good depth and pov. TFS

hispic (7399) 2009-04-22 20:04

Hi Kristine,
What a comfortable clouds above the amazing place! You are certainly an proficient master of clouds. Luminous impression of these clouds is truly pleasant. Superb shot!
Regards, Hisashi

Bruno40 (6442) 2009-04-22 20:31

Hi Kristine,
Nice view, I like the color leyers in yur photo, and of course that beautiful deep blue sky.
I do not understand the issue with comfort zone, so I pass on that.
cheers
Jorge

alainh (35387) 2009-04-22 21:57

hello Kristine
what a beautiful picture of this famous place. you had the best conditions and your capture is top !! the clouds are very important for your composition. the different layours of colours are great. congratulations.
have a nice day Kristine
alain

Floydian (30970) 2009-04-22 21:59

Hello Kristine,

You must be busy, but i'm glad you post a new one.
The deep blue sky is wonderful, but also that pure white in the lower section, what an amazing landscape. 4200 meter, life is hard and oxygen is low, but still you make excellent landscape shots. Those patches of red on the mountains, what a superb detail to bring out some colour and contrast...beautiful..!!!

Regards,

Henk

Zolive (1654) 2009-04-22 23:10

Hi Kristine
wonderful picture and composition. The different stripes of colors are magnificent. Congratulations.
Olivier

Elaine_Blath (6170) 2009-04-22 23:11

Hello Kristine,

this is truly a strange place and indeed strange landscape, colours very deep and rich, well done!

Take care, Ivana

HimalAnda (1072) 2009-04-22 23:18

Hello Kristine,

Your picture is a little bit too dark, but it is a beautiful picture of a beautiful place.
The composition is good : from the bottom to the top, you have a green part, then a white one, then a brown one and you finish with a blue one, the sky.

Stéphane

delkoo (34726) 2009-04-22 23:29

bonjour kristine
another stunner, I never get tired of seeing shots from this amazing place, especially when they're as well taken as this.

best regards
didier

sevy (13952) 2009-04-23 0:53

Hello Kristine,

Perhaps a comfort zone, but it is nice to appreciate the skills behind on this shot.
Especially, I like the composition in colored stripes, with the very strange salt area providing a big contrast on the photo. Moreover, there is also the right placement of the volcano and the shapes of the clouds filling the deep blue sky.
Chile and Bolivia are like 'Mars on Earth'.

Yves.

vincz (19045) 2009-04-23 1:41

Always so spectacular. I like the strongly polarized colours. Excellent work.

sacavem (8507) 2009-04-23 2:38

Olá Kristine,

But that landscape beautiful!Great colours and a very pleasant composition. Excellent DOF.
Congratulations & TFS
Filipe

dkeus31 (26361) 2009-04-23 3:42

Hi Kristine,
the cloud in front of the dark blue sky makes the picture here!
I personally would have cropped the picture under the white sand.
regards
didier

Bluejeans (33017) 2009-04-23 5:38

Ola Kristine,
Magnifico este deserto com esta mancha de sal , as montanhas tem uma cor linda , gostei muito do céu com estas nuvens brancas , boa profundidade de foto , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Greg1949 (8519) 2009-04-23 6:09

Comfortable for us too Kristine, fine work as usual and we are the benefactors.

Greg

Cretense (57010) 2009-04-23 6:37

Hi Kristine!

Incredible landscape, outstanding nature photography! Great framing and composition, beautiful layers and zones, fantastic polarized sky, beautiful colours! Congratulations!

Hercules

Waylim (11147) 2009-04-23 8:24

Kristine,
Once again, these clouds are just amazing against the deep blue skin, makes them see even brighter and more white and pure. They also have so much depth in different layer and dimension. One can really feel the distance between them. This you can't really asked for, the landscape will always be there but not the same clouds. Well off course here the landscape is the main show, but the clouds just adds some much to it and give great contrast to the dark brown landscape and complement to the salt lake. Great work. Thanks
Way

Bartleby (5134) 2009-04-23 8:49

HI Kristine,
C'mon Kristine, get out there and go for a crazy shooting session out of your comfort zone! I think this is a very apt term...Well I could also apply it to myself to be honest. Just came back from Laos and I found it hard trying to shoot people...I managed a few shots though but that didn't really feel comfortable! Anyhow, I like the comfort zone results...what else do you need? Cloudy polarized sky, hilly earth, salt...there you go!

Philippe

MarianneS (14402) 2009-04-23 11:01

Hi Kristine,
The dark colour of the sky is beautiful, with superb clouds to offer good contrasts.
And then, the landscape is divided into various parts, each of them with a different colour.
It makes your photo very special. Well done!
Regards,
Marianne

baba_flies (8091) 2009-04-23 11:02

Hello Kristine! You don't have to leave your zone. People always tell me that I should change my job but why should I leave my job zone if I am pretty much happy with it but on the other hand new zones mean new things to explore etc. etc. but maybe it is a TE tiredness that I start to feel personally but Salt Lake City is around the corner, in a little over a month ... also for you, or even less ... The photo, a wonderful photo, you were totally in your element. I love the stripe of foreground, very smart chosen, just some but not too much to give us a free view over a most spectacular scenery. Wow, what a free world up here, you show this very well ... WONDERFUL!!! Best regards + happy weekend ... it is almost here ... Barbara.

cdmonson (2761) 2009-04-23 11:50

Hi Kristine:

Hey, it's a good comfort zone to have. :) I've never really left it--working on it though. Love this shot. Yeah, don't correct the "tilt"--the curving shoreline makes the picture more interesting, I think. Crazy how barren it is. Beautiful shot.

Clark

bostankorkulugu (33962) 2009-04-23 12:32

salar de surire... sounds so melodic... and the shot?... a superb landscape shot of course... as always... but how long am i going to wait to see the street shots you were supposed to make a few weeks ago?... and what happened to the man with the blue turban?...

cherryripe (19173) 2009-04-23 12:49

Hi Kristine
Stunning landscape with the contrasting colours and I love that floating clouds which makes it extra dynamic. Why look elsewhere when you're good at something. I love landscapes too but aren't that talented so tried graphics which I enjoy even more photography wise.
Regards
Nikki

ciakgiak (11204) 2009-04-23 14:46

Hi Kristine,
This is a really psychedelic landscape with an incredible line in the middle. I like so much the horizontal patterns and the fantastic contrast between the intense blue sky and the white clouds.
Have a great week end.
Kind regards
Giorgio

Dpbours (220) 2009-04-23 21:27

Hell Kristine,

Very nice. I can see why you can't stop posting on this area. It is surely worth it! In this composition, I would have added a little bit of landscape at the bottom. It just feels a bit too cramped there.

Why change a comfort zone when it is, well, your comfort zone? That should make you happy, no? ;-)

Dennis

zmey (7282) 2009-04-24 8:05

love the contrast in this one (with the dark green water underlining the purity of light that follows). the white is prefect!

hugs
k.

Wandering_Dan (3285) 2009-04-24 8:39

Hi, Kristine -

Lovely shot, interesting the way the color layers work from fg to bg. The shapes of the mountains and the clouds make a nice sweeping curve, and even the polarization is good. :-)

I'm comfortable with you doing more landscapes, too.

Best,
Dan

clio (23017) 2009-04-25 9:41

Hi Kristine,
Which extraordinary journey, you made in Chile and what of beautiful photos you brought back.
Once more you play magnificently with the contrasts of colors, opposition of the relief and those of the sky.
Fantastic, congratulations!
Amicalement
Diane

batalay (21185) 2009-04-26 3:46

Hello Kristine,

This is evocative of the salt flats in the US West, but that green reveals its location as being somewhere distant and at a different elevation. You've used the circular polarizer well, accentuating the deep blue sky and the pristine white salt flats. Stay in your comfort zone a little longer. I am fascinated by these images.

Warm regards, and enjoy your Sunday.

Bulent

azaf1 (15547) 2009-04-26 8:33

Good evening Kristine

An awe inspiring composition, very dramatic in its contrasts and strong colors. Excellent pp work and great framing. Just a pleasure to look at. My compiments and TFS

Argiris

RedDevil (1071) 2009-04-27 8:44

Hi Kristine,
excellent landscape with a perfect ligth and sharpness. Brava.
Salvatore (Italy)

ceky (2304) 2009-04-27 13:23

Hi Kristine
Surire Salar is indeed an incredible place ; in addition you captured it with these gorgeous clouds !
Congratulations for this wonderfull shot
Regards
Georges

edytungkal (4519) 2009-04-28 10:51

What a beauty of nature....that colours are so beautiful, i wish i was be there. Its a good composition Kristine thank you for showing this wonderful place.

greetings
daniel

archimatica (13344) 2009-04-28 14:17

Hi, Kristine.
A fantastic spread of colors, sublime contrast and sharp.
My dear, you are a great photographer!
Ehmm... thanks for adding my photo on your "reference book".
It's a great honor.

Renzo

bracasha75 (22353) 2009-04-28 14:33

Helo Kristine
Your works are so good that i cane found not one small piece of fail or something wrong
Beautiful composition
Thanks for sharing
Bratislav

gunbud (28143) 2009-04-28 18:42

Hi Kristine,
Beautiful high altitude shot full of crisp clear unique colors against a fantastic sky.
You always seem to get these magnificent cloud formations in this thin air.
Looks like you had a great trip.
Regards, Tom

Longroute (9801) 2009-04-29 2:02

Five layers of different and intense colour! What a landscape!
The cromatic contrast is the top and those clouds in the sky draw a very artistic pattern. I think you had a great time there to find all these incredible compositions and you can really be proud of.
All the best,
Donato

gilou530 (35642) 2009-04-29 4:34

salut kristine
which colors with a polarization extrème, a contrast which makes dream all that is sign of a good work of post treatment, with in more one imposing landscape of this beautiful country with this mixture of plain, volcano well done
friendships
gilbert

nirvana73 (8830) 2009-04-29 8:45

Hello Kristine
great atmosphere
lovely colors
this shot like a painting
thanks for sharing
best regards
Ozhan

Philippe (11787) 2009-04-29 11:53

Hi, Kristine. The contrasts are very strong in your picture and the big sky gives an impression of large spaces. I like your layered composition with the salar in the middle. Fantastic sky and nice tones of brown on the mountains.
Have a nice day,
Philippe

AiresSantos (42826) 2009-04-29 13:09

Hi Kristine
Wonderful composition with great colours and contrast
I like the layers and how you framed it
Lovely clouds in the sky
Have a nice evening
Aires

Merline (6578) 2009-04-30 6:25

Kristine !
Your comfort zone is my uncomfort zone...going back to Iceland this year and already nervous about the landscapes. Truly, you have such a masterly technique and sense of composition and colors...love the layers here, the wide wide space, that salt lake bringing it all out with its creamy white, and that green...So beautiful. My compliments.

Best wishes
Michèle

BelCan75 (2420) 2009-04-30 19:45

Hello Christine,

Amazing shot with such a beautiful view. I love the contrast between the greenish water, the salt lake and the sky. Nice to know that those dots are flamingos. Great POV with amazing light, beautiful colours and details. I really like this photo...such beautiful scenery! Great work!

Greetings,
Ann

brandstaetter (14388) 2009-04-30 22:07

Hi Kristine,
I admire your whole series of the andine region. You have a flawless technique and a good use of the polarizer. The landscapes you show are unique.
Compliments, Chris

mikeo (12117) 2009-05-01 2:33

Hello Kristine,

WOW! What an amazing place! It's looking like a different planet...Excellent colours and effect of the horizontal lines - mountains, water and this amazing white area which pays attention.

Well done!
TFS
Greetings,
Mikeo

Klaracolor (201) 2009-05-05 10:37

This one is absolutely a beauty. The chosen composition, the colors and a very perfect sharpness.
Greetings,
Klara

xavshot (63117) 2009-05-05 11:08

Bonsoir Kristine
quelle lumière !! Le paysage est magnifique et la photo est superbe. j'aime beaucoup la qualité de l'image. Bravo.
Xavier

patdeph (18286) 2009-05-05 11:56

hello Kristine
the deep colours and the strong contrasts are really fantastic!I love the large band of white salt that seems to divide the landscape in 2 parts,and reminding the whitness of the clouds!The light enhances the beauty of this wonderful landscape!Superb!
Rergards
Pascale

plimrn (19694) 2009-05-06 17:59

Hi Kristine,
That sweep of clouds against the incandescent blue sky and the mountains with the red rocks would be a composition by themselves. Then you add the broad band of white salt, the green lake and another layer of rocks!!

When you're visiting such spectacular places, that most of us will never see, it would be churlish to deny us this beauty just to enlarge your comfort zone :-)

HLJ, Pat

mkamionka (4922) 2009-05-07 1:23

Hi Kristine,
I love it.
Polarizer turned on to the max but the effect is really unearthy.
The view is spectacular and you present it perfectly.
I love the colors and this time I would not cut it as I did before because the cloud makes sens adding white color to the composition.
Very good work,
M

zeca (20026) 2009-05-08 23:31

Have you been out of this planet, Kristine?
Wow! The lights are excellent and really different. I love this dark blue sky, with its clouds so soft and white. The ground is from another world, captured with incredible lights. Beautiful! Congratulations!
Have a nice weekend!
Zeca

blu (1369) 2009-05-10 2:15

Hi Kristine
Very nicely composed photo. great colours. well done! regards, urs

carper (65598) 2009-05-10 23:18

I go for this one Kristine,
marvelous view, good composed landscape shot, fine4 balance, very good photo job here, a good one. have a nice day.
regard jaap

stego (22448) 2009-05-12 12:07

Hi Kristine,

I wouldn't worry too much for not feeling like leaving your comfort zone. How can the author of this stunning photo be annoyed with herself for only wanting to shoot landscapes?

The amazing clarity and the colour saturation, which I am pretty sure that is natural, makes the texture and shape of that arid landscape stand out, giving a strong sense of 3D, for which the layered compo also contributes. The salar looks almost unreal, being so white. At first glance, the lower part seems to have been pasted from another image. It's really an incredible place!

Regards,
José

pboehringer (770) 2009-05-13 16:28

Kristine,
I now exactly what you're talking about when mentioning the comfort zone. My 3 penny advice: stick to what you are good in and be a master in it. Once you can measure yourself with the best of landscape photography you can try something else. Better to be good in one thing then being mediocre in everything. Right?
Well, let me say that I see your daily improvements here at TE and that is almost like looking at a high speed racing car. Girl, your work is wonderful! I love it! You made it into my favorites not for paticularly this image, but for the consistency that you present.
Peter

ricochet (4818) 2009-05-28 12:34

Bonjour Kristine
Une qualité d'image toujours au top, un point de vue superbement exploité, un bel impact visuel du ciel avec un bleu profond qui me plait beaucoup, bravo à toi c'est une très belle réussite!
Amicalement
Eric

Angshu (34089) 2009-06-08 21:21

Hello Kristine
Somehow I had missed this picture here & saw it in flickr yesterday. Love the layers, with the FG rocks, then the green waters, the salt pan, the hills where light & shadows of the clouds play...the clouds, more precisely the ones in the centre has a distinct 3D feel about them, making them jump out of the screen. I think there's rain beyond the hills as well! Good work!
Best regards
Angshu

niphredil76 (692) 2009-10-02 1:57

Ciao Kristine,
...wow... what a place! And what a light! you mangaed to lost no details even in the highlights, perfectly done!
Perhaps I would have invuded more of the rocks int he foreground to emphasize the "layer effect" of the different color and textures of this beautiful landscape, but I really like your work!
As for your comfort zone... if this is the result of you remaining there... don't leave it!
Laura
P.S. there was rain in those big clouds or it's my feeling?

Photo Information

Copyright: Kristine KM (avene) (11124)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-01-22
Categories: Nature
Camera: Nikon D 200, Nikkor 18-200 3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR, Nikon CircPolar II 72mm
Exposure: f/11, 1/250 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Chile's Norte Grande
Date Submitted: 2009-04-22 13:04
Favorites: 1 [view]