Photo Finish - Racetrack - Death Valley
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Taken on my first trip into Death Valley. These two rocks seemed like they were in something of a competition. They had roughly parallel tracks stretching thirty meters or more. Despite something of a size disadvantage I think the rock on the left won this sprint by a just a bit. I'd like to think they will take off on the next leg of their race when the next big storm hits.
Death Valley was practically empty in mid-November and the Racetrack was even more deserted. I spent an evening, night, and morning out here and saw only three other people. I have to say this is one of the most amazing places I've ever been. The feeling of quiet isolation was powerful. Walking all over the playa and checking out these rocks was really an amazing experience. I'm sure I'll be back to Death Valley again. I'm hooked.
As a photograph I guess I'd say I liked this composition better on the Camera. It seems a bit forced here on my computer. I contemplated cropping out the right rock entirely, but in the end decided to leave it since this was more my original intent. Plus, most photos I've noticed feature a single rock and track so I guess this is a little different in that regard.
Canon 7D
EF-S 10-22mm @ 10mm
15 sec @f10, ISO 100
Lee 0.9 & 0.6 Soft GND Filters
Cropped to cull a lot of the sky (not much going on up there)
Comments and faves
arunte, wild prairie man, markarlilly, cormend, and 170 other people added this photo to their favorites.
giorgosgrigoriadis16 (18 months ago | reply)
amazing place , i saw this rocks in a documentary , excellent shot my friend !!!
arunte (18 months ago | reply)
Stunning
congratulations Steve
VanHuynh (18 months ago | reply)
Love it Steve.
I was there during last April, couldn't find ant track at all :(
Only got this stunning cloud like an UFO
www.flickr.com/photos/vanhuynh/5621737287/in/ set-72157626...
Steve Kody (18 months ago | reply)
Wow, wish I had some clouds like that. Wild. Almost all the rocks with good tracks are at the extreme southern end.
wild prairie man (18 months ago | reply)
Inevitably this happens when we make a photograph - it becomes something else on the computer. Your comment that it feels "a bit forced" is interesting. It seems to me that being intentional and even blatant is acceptable in nature photography. Visually, graphically, this is a strong statement, not a random snap. All of your choices - the lighting, the low angle, the inclusion of both rocks in the frame - contribute. When nature presents us with the bizarre, I think an approach such as this is absolutely valid. Great shot.
markarlilly (18 months ago | reply)
Amazing! Great Color!
cormend (18 months ago | reply)
Talk about riding off away from the sunset. Stunning shot of a stunning place.
Neil Kremer (18 months ago | reply)
Nicely done..great color contrast.
johnshlau (18 months ago | reply)
Excellent shot............congratulations on today's Explore!
Rui Almeida. (17 months ago | reply)
wow! fantastic photography! you are absolutely inspiring. congratulations for explore
--
Seen in the interestingness archives. ( ?² )
Tilak Haria (17 months ago | reply)
Congrats for being on EXPLORE.
Via Today's Explore at #108 on Fluidr
ghis44free (17 months ago | reply)
A photo that deserves the Explore.
Ghislain
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andrea maini (17 months ago | reply)
+ + + nice shot + + +
natasayu (17 months ago | reply)
Amazing Shot!
bartholowaty | Photography (17 months ago | reply)
Excellent and very nice Image
Stunning composition
amazing work!
...keep up your really good work ;-)
Bart
BURKE79_323 (17 months ago | reply)
Via Today's Explore at #108 on Fluidr
taruski- 100 000 views, big thanks. (17 months ago | reply)
congrats on explore - wonderful capture!
Mikroskopia (17 months ago | reply)
Fantastic.
JimbobEdsel (17 months ago | reply)
Excellent! Congrats on the Explore!
AXEL BRUNST photography (17 months ago | reply)
Awesome structures and light!
Le pot-ager - Un bleu chez les vieux :-) (17 months ago | reply)
Seen on Explore,
Congrats !
Daryl L. Hunter - The Hole Picture (17 months ago | reply)
Who won? great shot :D
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Antoniociro (17 months ago | reply)
Bella foto ben realizzata! Saluti, AntonioR
♋ DANY1926 ♋ (17 months ago | reply)
Incredible shot, congrats on Explore....-_^
Alex Methenitis (17 months ago | reply)
Excellent shot!
Congrats !
Seen on Explore (11-12-2011)
[ via flickriver explore --Alex Methenitis ]
gr7361 (17 months ago | reply)
I like the inclusion of both rocks, beautiful shot!
Patrick_Gerber (17 months ago | reply)
Great Shot!!!!
efte78 (17 months ago | reply)
Lovely job
anna.soffia (17 months ago | reply)
Great shot of a exeptional phenomen
i-seen-it RubenS (17 months ago | reply)
WOW nice shot ! well done !
Via Today's Explore at #108 on Fluidr
crissime (17 months ago | reply)
This photo is really beautiful!!!
dreamer@desh (17 months ago | reply)
awesome
emvri85 (17 months ago | reply)
wonderful !
contiflex [deleted] (17 months ago | reply)
Supurb shot!
Galaxyquest (17 months ago | reply)
Great shot. Like the atmopshere
Mafi.. Out.../ de viaje...;-) (17 months ago | reply)
Fantastic landscape and shot...;-)
Terapixel² (17 months ago | reply)
WOW! Perfect composition and amazing sky!
Sprengben [why not get a friend] (17 months ago | reply)
You did a perfect Job with this image! It really deserves Explore.
Have a good Sunday.
Ben
Keno Zache (17 months ago | reply)
So nice!
Become a fan of Keno Zache | photography on Facebook!
John Coveney Photos (17 months ago | reply)
Doesn't look forced at al to me - interesting to see the tight hand rock has two tracks
Marc Briggs (17 months ago | reply)
Nice find and cool comp. I think it was a good idea and title...quite original. I'm sure you also have some images of single rocks...save them for a rainy day ;-)
Steve Kody (17 months ago | reply)
Thanks everyone for all the comments and suggestions!!
cabe26 (17 months ago | reply)
Incredible
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kimberlyrenee photography (17 months ago | reply)
Incredible!
Congrats on Explore!!!
www.facebook.com/pages/kimberlyrenee-photogra phy/17489837...
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Joel.Sjaarda (17 months ago | reply)
Lovely work Steve. I spent some time in Death Valley a couple years back and really loved it (other than the intense heat). I didn't get to see anything quite like this but I'm glad you did and I'm glad you captured it (complete with both rocks). Excellent work and nice write-up. You've got some stunning images in your short stream and this one is no exception. Keep up the great work.
Dr. Ilia (17 months ago | reply)
great details!
www.flickr.com/groups/points_of_view
The Dor Levy [deleted] (17 months ago | reply)
The wind makes the rock move in the valley.
Marinyu.. (17 months ago | reply)
Congrts on EXPLORED at Page at this moment
Steve Kody (17 months ago | reply)
Thanks Joel. Glad you liked it. It's a really fascinating place, I feel like I barely scratched the surface of what's to see. Will be going back for sure.
JasonManion (17 months ago | reply)
Wow!!! So cool! So, the ef-s works with the 7D? I didn't realize that.