This looks amazing on my desktop.

This is so full and rich. Everywhere the eye lands there is something of interest--texture, detail, color and so on.

Do you always carry a tripod when walking your dog? :)

effing awesome.

Amazing. Looks like it was inspired by impressionism with the complementary colours and the textures. A little pointillism in the sand too. :)

dude, u nailed it! thanks

Fabulous! Perhaps I'm missing it, but where is this beach located?

Now THIS is what InterfaceLIFT is all about! Nice work man.

Amazing! Thank you very much. And yeah, where is this beach?

The best picture I've seen here for a while. All the colors are right and everything looks beautiful. I made it my wallpaper right when I saw it. Very good work!! Thank you!

IFL editors in vengence... this selection is awesome!

Great picture Machindows, nice work!

I made this my wallpaper right away, I've never done that before! Amazing shot, I'm impressed.

I agree with xlarryx1, it's work like this that makes interfaceLIFT <i>the place</i> to come to! Very impressive; looks great!

This is jaw droppingly stunning. Instantly on my desktop. What a wonderful shot.

Nice shot.
My new wallpaper.

great picture!!! where was this taken?

THIS PICTURE IS SO IMPRESSIVE !!!! ITS GONNA BE MY WALLPAPER FOR A VERY LONG TIME...

Macindows, wow you're on a hot streak at the moment. First "Dramatic Sky" and now this. Keep 'em coming!

I have decided you live in one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen and have an amazing talent for sharing that beauty through your photography :) I still have Dramatic Sky on my desktop and am not quite ready to stop staring at it, but this one is next on my list!

que bello! grazie! sfondo simpatico

This is absolutely stunning. Breathtaking. Thank you for sharing.

WOW!!!! I'll echo what everyone above me has already said: Stunning, breathtaking, impressive, nice, amazing, stunning (I think I mentioned that one already). Way to go and, by God, THANKS for sharing this wonderful image.

What to say about this image....

ITS AMAZING!! The textures in this image are right on key and works very well as a desktop! Thanks for sharing your talent with us!

This is such a great shot in general but what makes it so good is that you just happened to take it while walking your dog. I could never take a pic like this if I spent all day out there!

Great Picture, currently gracing my desktop

this looks to good to be real.
which programm did you use?
jk ^^ awesome photo :D

very very beautiful .. amazing

Just for grins, may we have a picture of your dog too.

gorgeous shot

Gorgeous ! Where's located the beach ?

Thank you very much for all the nice comments. This is why I love sharing my pictures here on Interfacelift. Nowhere else pictures get more appreciated than here.

Now here some background information to "Driftwood":
This picture is a HDR. I mainly used the program Photomatix to get the colors right and switched to Photoshop to make it the right format. Apart from that, nothing has been changed. I didn't use a tripod. This HDR is made out of 5 differently exposed single frames. +2, +1, 0, -1 -2

If you want to have a look at my other shots, go to Flickr and look up my profile "Macindows".

Thank you again for all your nice comments! I really appreciated it!

Wow... Please share with us your technique to keep not only the camera still for the longer exposures of the +1 and +2 (as I suspect you used shutter time and not aperture, otherwise depth of field would be seriously messed up) and more, how the hell do you manage to keep 5 pictures *perfectly* aligned within 5 shots without using a tripod (using auto-align on photomatix would never be this precise).

I'm sorry. I really like the picture and I cannot fault it in any way but the 'I was walking my dog and snapped this', that I don't buy. You don't need to add the unpretentious little tale to enhance your work. It is actually great as it is.

This is not casual photography and anyone with even minimal knowledge can tell it.

OK... Some maths... Let's say the middle exposure is a reasonable 1/60 @ F11. So to take the five shots it adds up to (1/250 +1/125 + 1/60 + 1/30 + 1/15) == 0.88 seconds on shutter time alone, not counting the interval between shots. You said you used a D300 and it does over 5fps so let's add just one extra second totaling 1.88 seconds with NO CAMERA MOVEMENT... Believe it if you wish!

@Macindows (love the name btw): this is an awesome picture, I love the contrast in the colors form the sand to the sky. Plus the composition is just great.

@addario: If you look closely you can see some blur in the picture, specifically the coast on the left side of the picture with the small buildings. I too believe that it would be incredibly hard to hold the camera still for that long, but a pro might be able to do this. It might be similar to how a sniper learns to control his breathing before a shot. Just a guess. I hope Macindows will let us in on his secret.

@Addario
I get it. You don't understand how somebody should be able to shoot five completly consistent pictures in a row while pressing the release button five times. Well frankly I wouldn't understand that either. However, what I did was switching to burst or speed shutter, you name it. Then I switched on bracketing which let's me shoot three to nine pictures in a row with different exposures. I generally choose 5. This is what I meant with +2, +1, 0, -1, -2.
Now what happens if I press the release button, is that the camera shoots 5 pictures in a row which takes something under a second in total. And that's it!
In case you moved and the pictures differ slightly, you are able to align the pictures with programs like Photomatix or Dynamic Photo HDR easily before creating the HDR!

@virgulinux_yahoo.com
The exposure times for this picture were from 1/800(f1/14) - 1/200sec (f1/7.1) at ISO200. If you don't believe it, I'd love to send you the original (compressed) files so that you can convince yourself!

I am glad you took the time to explain your technique despite being flat-out called a liar by Addario ;p Hopefully some of the doubters also checked out your Flickr site and saw some of the other shots you took that day with your dog.

Anyway, thanks again for the great wallpaper. I am becoming quite the fan of your work! As a sidenote, its nice to see a wallpaper on the the site with 30+ positive comments!! That usually only happens when people start bashing :)

Stubulman -- Looks like Macindows' pooch is featured on his Flickr page:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/85449288@N00/

Beautiful dog, and of course, beautiful photos!

Dear Macindows, i saw your photos at Flickr...totally AWESOME! Can I request you to upload or send me "clearing up" and "color fusion" so that I can use it as my wallpaper !

Thanks !

Fantastic shot! I checked out your Flickr pictures earlier and there are some amazing photos on there. Keep uploading as i'd love to see more downloadable on InterfaceLIFT for use on my desktop. I particualy liked "Spectrum of the Sky" and "Picasso's bath" along with many others!

I'll go a little against the grain and say that the colour is a bit too saturated for me, especially the sky. It actually makes great wallpaper after being changed to black and white and having the black/contrast boosted a bit!

macindows, could you share with us one of your works called "Little big lizard"? it's perfect!!! i'd love to have it as my wallpaper 1680x1050!

possible? thanks a million

@samuellum_gmail.com
I uploaded the 1680x1050 versions to my homepage.
Color fusion:
http://www.dominickamp.de/colorfusion.jpg

Clearing up:
http://www.dominickamp.de/clearingup.jpg

Enjoy!

@andy.donaldson_gmail.com
You can download "Spectrum of the Sky" from my homepage if you like! However, I currently don't have "Picasso's bath" on my laptop but as soon as I get back from my holiday I can send it to you.

@rewind_gmx.at
I'd love to but currently I'm still on holiday. But as soon as I get back I can send you the picture.

I just created this account to tell you that this picture is awesome. Keep them coming. "Iron Gate" from Flickr would be nice :)

absolutely stunning..
all of your work is pure eye candy to me.

Hey, imho great picture and I don't care whether you were with or without your dog ;) About your other picture, can I ask for "Earth"? :)

@Macindows: I forgot to say in my comment that I love how you used HDR, but it is not overwhelming the viewer with halos and crazy colors. It is a good example of HDR.

EXCELLENT picture! One of the best I've seen on here in quite some time. Some people on here are just complainers and continually drag the site down.

What the F is going on here!? This picture so does not deserve this many comments. Don't you people have anything better to do? Wait a second, I'm doing the same thing you are! AHHHHHH! No seriously, this is decent but first of all the waves are lame, the mountains not high, the driftwood a complete eyesore lying in an otherwise driftwood free sand. Obviously this is HDR but in my opinion the colors are much too vibrant for my taste. I want my wallpaper to be a background instead of demanding my attention at all times.

In other news Hillary is out!

LOL @ 1993montero!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@Macwindows

thanks a million, your great !

Thanks for this stunning wallpaper! Keep it coming! So far one of the best here on IFL!

How do we know that your dog didn't take this picture? She looks a lot brighter than those people who made negative comments :) !

Congratulations ! This picture is awesome, I like the colors and all the details. It will be my wallpaper for a while.
Excellente photo ;)

Must not conform. Must not conform. Most not conform...

WOW!!! 5 stars for this excellent picture! I looove it!! Thanks so much for sharing!

1993montero, a bunch of people happen to like a photo posted on the internet. Big deal. Pick your battles, man! :-)

You mean like a photo posted on the internet that's actually good? The last wallpaper that I had on my desktop for a ridiculously long time was El Captain (it's about 12 pages back or something). I guess I just prefer mysterious woods and really steep cliffs and mountains over calm shorelines that happen to have some driftwood. I love Europe, I've been three times, I just don't particularly like this portrayal.

That's El Capitan! My mistake. Now I'm not feeling that bright!

Hey, I meant no harm -- I love a solid variety of opinions. Entertainment. Your first comment just struck me as a bit fervent considering the subject. I adored El Capitan myself, but once in a while I like an intrusive background, especially on a clean desktop.

Maybe we're all just happy to see a nice crisp HDR after the recent influx of men's crotches, cutesy cartoon animals and blotchy green eyes...!

Wow i`ve a new wallpaper!

THX Dude!

Wow I have to say this is one of the best images Ive seen.. beautiful... where is this?

tolles Bild

@Fazmin
Thank you! The picture has been shot on the island Corsica on a beach next to Ajaccio. And I gotta say, this island offers incredible opportunities to shoot great photos!

Hey Macindows, could you post a desktop-size Iron Gate?

Amazing shot, but what's holding up new submissions? By Monday, "Driftwood" will have topped IFL for a full week. Not undeserved, but I thought we were on a roll!

Macindows - your pictures are very eye-catching and I enjoy them greatly, I put them on my HDTV (1080p) projector (beamer) on a 3-meter wide screen as part of my recyclable wall art. Please share as many as you can in as high a resolution as you can.

@ t_bunson_yahoo.com
I just submitted 'Clearing up' and 'Iron Gate' to IFL. My initial concern was that e.g. 'Clearing up' is too similar to 'Drift wood' and therefore IFL wouldn't accept it. Well, we'll see...

New wallpapers will be posted regularly again starting tomorrow. Sorry about the unsual delay.

If "Iron Gate" doesn't make IFL, I'd like to request a 1440x900. :-)

@Macindows -- I was speaking more generally about IFL's lack of updates, but I would absolutely love to see more of your work as well!

Great shot, wonderful detail and color. Keep 'em coming!

really amazing ... even the sand it itself is beautiful.. SAND!

haven't been here in a while, but i see standards are still high! nice work

btw, i would like to see some of your other stuff also in desktop size

This BG is 4 real man! its on my comp as we speak! PEACE

Where is this located?

OOPS... just saw Corsica. :p Great work Macindows.

Thanks to everybody who commented on this picture. You made it the MOST COMMENTED wallpaper on InterfaceLIFT! Glad all of you liked my work!

Congrats, I didn't even notice that sort option. Here's to more of your submissions - I'll definitely keep an eye out.

1993montero: "the waves are lame, the mountains not high"

hmm. sounds like you want new zealand wallpaper.... this is corsica!

:-}

Wow, nice shot...... i'd like to see this without the driftwood though, that would make for the perfect wallpaper imo. Still awesome anyway

One could argue the other way as well. I think that dead wood makes the rest of the picture look pretty - to give a good comparison within the picture. Nice shot. IFL selection back with vengence. Keep up.

To Bristol9, well I haven't been to New Zealand yet, but I think you get the point. Probably the most beautiful place I've been is Norway. Fjords, mountains, eating reindeer for dinner, tundra, hiking up glaciers are more my kind of thing. I have been to Bermuda however and that was different but very relaxing! My first comment has -10. Keep it coming for no reason!

1993, the fjords are indeed beautiful. i actually agree with your statements for the most part and was honestly recommending NZ. it has some of most beautiful mountain/wave scenes i've ever witnessed.

p.s. i didn't rate your comment.. i believe everyone should have a say!

Nice work Macindows.......

@1993montero and bristol9, i recommend the wallpapers by SkyHigh and jauernig for some excellent New Zealand and Fjord shots....

great photo, very vibrant

@Lense - that fjord wallpaper is one of my all-time favorites....!

(LOL Neck..... nice avatar.... )

Wow, this one grabbed a ton of comments.... and it wasn't due to cheap controversy or gimmick. I'm impressed. Long live Driftwood! :-)

I'm still dying for a full-size Iron Gate, though. Can you upload one, Macindows? Pretty please?

(BTW, how do you get an avatar? I assume I need to register?)

@ jwervel16 -- Yes, you will need to register to have an avatar, but the process is extremely simple.

I would also like to request an enlarged "Iron Gate" after checking our your other work, Macindows.

Umm... sorry to say, but this pic is overrated. Not a bad photo, but it doesn't deserve this much attention. Colors are too saturated, and it's distracting overall as a desktop. Sorry.

REPENT, I have to disagree... Maybe it's not your thing, but I love the intense colors and attention-grabbing details, including that hunk of wood!

@repent.... while this isn't my favorite wallpaper, it's hard to agree that it doesn't "deserve" the attention it's received.... it seems to me that that sort of thing is pretty organic. people just happen to like this shot, and that's cool :)

For "brizkit", there is the wallpaper without wood from Macindows here =
http://www.dominickamp.de/clearingup.jpg
I hope this is what you are asking!!
and great picture, i think it deserves attention

i would am interested in a full "iron gate" also :>

@Photoboss... AWESOME! thanks, that's exactly what I wanted, I'm an idiot for missing that link

Well this has certainly broken some site recrds!

*records

Somebody used my name here above to post as me. I did not post the previous post.

WTF is up with the impostors? LOL, you better not fake my posts... i haven't even had a chance to make a name for myself!!

YES 100th!

I checked your website and flickr too. Awesome works. Lots of details, people will always love color and texture. It's all about enhancing the dullness daily life.

To LenSE, Fjord of Art is definitely one of my favorites on this site. I highly recommend visiting Scandinavia except Copenhagen and Oslo are rated among the most expensive cities to visit in the world. IMO Balestrand was the most picturesque town in Norway. My greatest moment from any of my travels was hiking Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier in Europe. Check out the site if you like:
http://www.jostedal.com/

i must say, i really admire your work. its beautiful. it really inspires me as an artist. there is something about your photos that is so calming yet so exciting. i love them all. i can't wait to see more of your work. thank you.

alicia.

I have been surfing a long time for the perfect desktop pic, i am not too much of a photographer but i know a good pic when i see one. i am not talking about quality but what it does for me.. n your pic sends me to a happy place...

Thank you for that...

I see that this picture hasn't been commented on in a while, but I feel the need to anyway. This is a nice picture, and the sky is awesome, but I don't think it deserves this much praise. The horizon line is right in the middle of the picture, (ever heard of the law of thirds?) and I would of had the drift wood a little to the left or right, not right in the middle. So I enjoy this picture, but the composition isn't totally there for me.

Really like it. Just love the simplicity of it and the sunset is great. Shame the horizen in the middle.

I wonder if there's a same picture without this tree, would be definitely my favourite then)))

I know that what makes the difference in the end is who takes the pic and not what's used to take it, but dude, I deff gotta get myself a D300! Great job.