I know what you mean and that happens all the time. It's funny how in some days I can take dozens of "good" photos and in other days the photos are just crap.

Anyway, I prefer todays photo than yesterdays. This one have an amazing ambiance. :-)

I know this doesnt make much sense, but when i upgraded to the 5D i had the exact same problem..i couldnt take a decent photo to save my life....there's something about it that makes it a bit more challenging.

On the contrary, I think this is certainly one of my favorite shots in weeks.

I think that this one is miles better, i prefer the toning, and the lack of stuff in the foreground means your eye can floow the lines of blowing sand into the image without distraction. Great stuff.

Much better than yesterday's. Pulls you in more. Yesterday's stopped your eye short.

I'm with everyone else. Much prefer this one to yesterday's. The darker toning, and lack of distraction in the foreground gives a much more desolate mood to this shot.

Yup - I'm with them this is better - has more atmosphere and more - je ne c est quoi .

You're being to hard on yourself David. I think this a really good shot, well personally. It kinda reminds me of Ansel Adams somehow.

Nice shot anyway.

Wow, plain and simple, wow.

Holy expletives Dave, that's one hell of a sky.

I'm slightly surprised by your intro comments! I bet that the vast majority, including me like this one best. This one has a more mystical, ethereal element that the previous did not have. I will further wager that you will be asked for prints of this image way and above the previous. This one has my vote big time. Mal

I totally agree with Mal. This photo is excellent, especially the angle and what you've included in the shot. The black and white contrast brilliantly all over the place. Very nice :).

it's normal and happens when you get a new camera. would that inspiration came so easily.

nice tones.

dont worry, your getting back on shape! slowly, slowly!

dont worry,..........be happy! ;)

Beautiful shot!

Wow, you are fantastic! Keep it up. /J

Spooky

...but every single one of today's efforts is almost entirely without merit
Oh please! I LOVE this piicture! It's the first one, maybe ever, that I've considered purchasing... probably because the lines draw me to the horizon and I want to see what's there in greater detail. Don't be so hard on yourself!

The emphasise on dramatic threatening clouds and the rapidly disappearing vanishing point create an incredibly potent picture. I wonder if the colour version with bleached yellow sands and indigo skies might have had real power as well. Fancy showing us David?

amasing shot i like the subtle differetn between the sand and the sky

like the contrasts betwenn the black and white and you captured the windy weather very well, but why haven't you croped the image in a wideangle?

I love the wind speed pictures.. congrats on the upgrade to the 5D - that should gear you up for the Dubai trip. My best to Libby..

even if you don't like it, I do! I can nearly feel the wind. great =)

We all have days like that at times, so don't get discouraged. I think this is a great shot! I love the clouds, the B&W, it's all very nicely done.

im not surprised that you struggled today! the weather was awful where I was!
the whole january thing is also a factor in it... most depressing day of the year is just round the corner!!!!

I think this one has a little more edge due to its contrast, compared to yesterdays...

was the vignetting added or just down to the 17mm on full frame???

I still love this shot. It really carries the mood and the feeling of actually standing their. I went out on the 18th and took some photos in lytham.

I would appreciate your opinion. This the link to my blog http://bertram.bigfolioblog.com/

woohoo, daves finally on it again - this is a beaut.

Thanks everyone :-)

I go through this all the time, the eternal challenge of what you like vs what others enjoy. This is a great shot, im glad you posted it. I guess thats the magic of photography...theres always going to be someone who loves a shot that you think stinks!!

land sakes david ... i know i am late in the game on this one but i still have to comment. this is one of the most powerful photos i have seen anywhere lately and i am wishing i took it. i like that it is darker than the majority of your work as it adds to the drama/tension here. take care.

:-)

I'm with everyone else. That's one helluva picture. The way all the lines - waterline, cloudlines, the blowing sand - just pulls you into the picture... Wow. Also, the darker, contrasty tonality really emphasizes drama - and the lines as well.

What a dramatic black and white. Very powerful image.

It's a beautiful image. I totally love it.