Greeting card? That could be any and all of our shots...I find this lovely, and well beyond any cliche. The colour tone is deep and not at all what one would expect in a scene like this. On the surface it looks like a B&W, but it isn't really, it's more of a monotone of a greenly-tinged grey. That's not cliche, it gives it an otherworldly and eerie feel, as though they're discussing the apocalypse that seems to be starting. And with a sun that size you would expect warmth, but the female seems to be hugging herself against a chill. Again, not quite the expected. You did well here, Mark, and I like it!

Thanks so much, Denise. I designed cards years ago and thought this looked like one of those soft-focus "loving-couple" cards, and I wasn't sure if I should post it. (I postworked it to take away the cornier feelings...) Thank you so much for your comment.

Mark, I think this is an absolutely wonderful photo and I'm so thrilled you decided to share it with us. In all honesty I'm glad you waited until today to post it, because I was very much in need of the spiritual lift it provided.

Wow, what a dramatic shot you've created - I love those bold silhouettes, that blinding, pure white sun & the waviness of the outlines which convey a feeling of heat (though that's somewhat mitigated by the b&w treatment). You didn't change the sun? How did you make it look so huge? As for greeting cards, my feeling is that art can manifest itself anywhere. Maybe the vast majority of greeting cards are cliched & cloyingly sentimental, but you can sometimes find artistry in them as well. I agree with Denise that this could be a vision of an apocalypse, so if it was a greeting card, perhaps a Valentine inscribed "Will you be mine until the end of the world"?

This makes me think of Chip, so it can't possibly be "greeting card" sentimentality. I can almost hear his literary voice describing their bare toes digging into the wet sand while he explains to her why the end of the world isn't everything she thought it would be, and that it's somehow more, something beyond imagining, but in a really good way. Something will be coming out of the water or across the sea or out of the light that will be absolutely alien and will make everything clear in one tight, beautifully written sentence. See? It's a good picture! :)

Well, my younger friends have said much, and so I shall merely say I think it dramatic and not in the least corny. It would not go with any of those ghastly kitsch verses, and if it were a greeting card I should quite happily buy it. Providing, that is, that is was blank inside.

Incredible picture Mark:) and i agree with Denise..it is not a total B/W in reality and there is a otherworldly and eerie feeling in the atmosphere! This sun, is something beyond words... amazingly HUGE! Gives a misterious sense to the whole scene together with this couple that are so human under my eyes... it seems they are just waiting to see something very special, to come out from that shine...i also would be !! You can be sure!! Thank you for this GIFT, Mark, once again! Your capture is terrific! Anyway, though it is not the case here... i have nothing against 'greeting cards',Mark:))) they can be master piecesMASTER PIECES..i have many from great Artists, like Mucha and Cezanne, Van Gogh and others unknown artists:) and i adore to receive them :) They are fabulous !!

marvellous atmosphere

Beautifully atmospheric very cool!!

Loverly in its shimmering light and dark ambiance, this fabulous composition is, my friend. Okay, here is my take on this marvelous depiction of the couple at dawn: While flying across the scorching Mohave Desert, their light plane had either crashed or made a forced landing onto the sand, with fortunately neither one being injured in the mishap. The plane's two-way radio was out of commission as a result of the crash, so they wisely decided to sit under the aircraft's wing during the day to avoid the heat, then cross the desert at night, hoping to find a small town or even a highway where they could find help and sustenance. Of course, if either one had a cellphone to begin with, they could have just sat under the wing until they were sighted and help arrived. Kind of takes the drama out of all this, I know.

This really is a very cool, and romantic image. Not the typical silhouetted couple embracing, yet very much a couple experiencing something together. Works really well in black and white, and has an intriguing feeling of warmth as well as coolness, with her body language, almost as if she is hugging herself, and the wind moving her hair. He is more open, absorbing the full impact of the sun. Makes a great piece of art and would work well on a greeting card, too. Very nice work, Mark.

very wonderful looking and it look like love in the air.

Also I find this photo very beautiful and romantic too and what is wrong with that? I love how the wind is pushing her hair. The waves look like there was pretty much wind. I find this shot very beautiful. Again you did a wonderful job, dear Mark :-) Thank you ;-D

VERY BEAUTIFUL! THE LIGHT IS MARVELOUS!

Brilliant. What's all this about a greeting card? I love it.