Critique Welcomed Dune scrub

[Rense Haveman]

Large parts of the Dutch dunes are infested with vast areas of dune scrubs. This is thought to have a negative impact on biodiversity, hence this scrub enchroachment is cleared in many places. From a photographic point of view I always thought of scrubs as being difficult to capture, let alone to have it in B&W. Therefore, I am rather happy with this one, but this happiness might be biased by the aforementioned experienced difficulties.

So, please, be open and tell me what you think. Is this a way to go, or is it a no-no. What do you like, or even better: what do you not like? I promise you: in this case no rudeness exists (this one is for our British friends especially ). And if you want to take a closer look: click the photo, and you will be redirected to Flickr....


Dune scrub by Rense Haveman, on Flickr


EDIT: I added a version with a bit more contrast...


Dune scrub II by Rense Haveman, on Flickr

 

[Rense Haveman]

PS: don't know how the attachment has landed here....

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Haha. Got to Edit, then More Options, and then Delete the attachment.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

I prefer the one without the increased contrast. I know what you mean about how difficult it is to capture, but I think you have done well. There is a sense of something wild and out of control. Good shot.

 

[Rense Haveman]

Haha. Got to Edit, then More Options, and then Delete the attachment.

Didn't know that option, Rob, thanks a lot!

 

[Pete Askew]

I alos prefer the lower contrast version and think it works well. I especially like that you can't quite guess the scale and to enhance that further I'd be tempted to crop out the post etc in the background.

 

[Rense Haveman]

I alos prefer the lower contrast version and think it works well. I especially like that you can't quite guess the scale and to enhance that further I'd be tempted to crop out the post etc in the background.

Thank you. I did that, but it didn't work for me because the photo then looses scale...
See the attachment...

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Sorry, Pete, but I'm with Rense on this one. The posts must stay!

 

[Pete Askew]

True.

 

[Rense Haveman]

Thank you both, much appreciated! So, tit will be the original version, not cropped...

 

[Brian Moore]

Higher contrast one is better for me, Rense.

 

[John Allen]

The higher contrast also works for me. I think the big problem here is that there is nothing to focus on. Perhaps it needs less DOF with a bit out of focus both front and back. That would allow the eye something to focus on and the mind to go "Ah ha!" Another thing that could make all the difference is the angle of the light and your position relative to it. That sounds really basic, but I think it's a bit more complicated with a subject like this.

 

[Martin Carlin]

Higher contrast for me too and the posts must stay as you said Rense the crop doesn't work.