Tank traps #3 -- mono
I sold a laminated print through Redbubble – August 2008
This is the coloured version
Tank traps on Stockton bight, a series of sand dunes north of Newcastle. Recent visitors have discovered they are mostly all covered in sand now.
OTHER BEACH SHOTS
REAL ESTATE SERIES
NEW ZEALAND
FROGS
LENSBABY
INFRARED
INDUSTRIAL
SPAM
PANORAMAS
LANDSCAPES
Tank traps #3 -- mono belongs to the following groups:
Beige is death!, Black and White Photographers United (3 a day limit), EMI - The Group, Minimalist Landscapes and Sold! Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters


rikkipaul
fantastic bw, looks post apocalyptic.
Mel Brackstone
I sexed it up quite a bit, didn’t I? LOL!
WitheringMoon
Very interesting shot Mel, love everything about it – great in black and white and the lighting is perfect, love the shadow’s =)
billyboy
I am, totally amazed that these exist—and even more amazed at how you captured them. Brilliant work. You`ll get 20 comments within the next 30 mins! BB
Rob Brooks
Very sexed up, shadows are great!!
joolz
Great work Mel.
alistair mcbride
An other fantastic work Mel.
Durotriges
Wow! That’s a really fine piece of work Mel! Very moody lighting, great atmosphere! :-D
EOS20
Fantastic shot Mel!!
Michael Kienhuis
Just sensational! M:>
TULIP73
love this one, i had a look at colour V b/w…as both look great…the winner to me is COLOUR :-) well done
Rob McDonald
you are great. wonderful shades.
Mike Rees
This looks almost surreal! I love it in b/w, personally :) Has more of a dark feel. There’s definatly something unfriendly about these!!
Kitsmumma
This is great Mel, reminds me of a scene from the movie Dune. Love it.
Can0n
Masterpiece! Straight to my favorites..
Adrian Donoghue
This is a terrific subject Mel, looks great in B&W.
sabbysingh
Actualy MAsterpiece. Just Perfact
davecurtain
mad photo mel, eery as you like. tres dune.
rock
It’s a chilling image Mel, super composition!
R
hugo
If anybody could sex it up, Mel you could, great photo and sex up!!!!!!
Lee Burgess
This works brilliantly in B&W!!
Tony Moore
Love this Mel, but as you know, I have a leaning towards the moody mono.
This is brilliant, love it.
billyboy
Hey Mel, I just saw the color version of this and it rocks too… and I wasn`t far off about the comments on this!
fracturedfotos
I have always loved this image Mel. Beautiful.
Andrew Bosman
Stargate SG1…..
Mono is two thumbs up Mel!
Paul Louis Vil...
Looks great in mono! :D
kevy
beautiful b & w. love the textures. so much to look at. i was going to say that it looks nasty but i didnt want you to get the wrong idea.lol. top stuff
Catalin Soare
Superb composition, excellent treatment Mel!
SylviaHardy
This is fantastic Mel! I love the colour for the gorgeous hues of blue shadow and this one for the sheer contrast of pattern and texture !
Belinda Leopold
Def one of my faves :)
Paul Vanzella
So surreal in mono – which is a cool thing – as the subject matter just lends itself to that… Too futuristic Mel… which I love – nicely worked!
Karen Cougan
these have always had me facinated Mel…...............xkc
cya tomorrow
Roberts Birze
This is totally over the top … the rhythm, exposure, tones, contrast … all lovely.
Antoine Dagobert
Fantastic Mel.. an absolute cracker!Well done
dodgsun
mmm…nice one mel!!!
MattTworkowski
Absolutely Sensational Mel,to say I love this would be a major understatement,thanks for sharing,cheers
Jeff Burns
Fantastic. Awesome treatment. Looks like its on the moon
Lincon Stamp
I’ve lived in Newcastle, n loved it, for 23 years of m ylife and never seen it quite as stunning!! My appreciation of home and of your good self grows…. :)
Sharon Hammond
Just as spectacular in mono
PNFdeb
This is stunning….. shadow shape and light…. oh throw in texture too…excellent
Mel Brackstone
Thanks so much everyone, I appreciate your comments! When I compare the two its a bit scary, really….shot on Oct 8th 2004, with my brand spanking new Canon 20D, which I’d had for just over a week….still shooting on P, and really had absolutely no idea what I was doing…..the evolution of my processing is obvious here though!
Rich Gale
this is a great image Mel very well captured from a good pov such an intresting subject, well done
Sarah Matthews
This is an amzing shot…the light and texture create a surreal environment…well done mel!
micmac
I tought it was created but it’s real ,i’m very impressed beautiful mono.,great lines and shadows
Melinda Kerr
Man that’s unbelievable. The depth and sharpness is great.
Kim Roper
Lets hope they manage to reappear fully in the future! The black and white processing gives this image quite a surreal feel to it. BTW, a quick question, which wide angle lens are you using on the 5D, if you don’t mind me asking?
Paul Tait
Where do I start!
The black and white processing suits this image well. I love the patterns and the shadows. Amazing work!
Nando MacHado
I’d never heard of this place before, so my feelings towards this image are, as it’s already been said, “apocalyptic”. About the composition, I love the subtle detail of the dunes in the background (the very top of the image). About the colours X bw issue, BW is my choice :) Lovely shot!
Louise Cooke
tonal range and repetition is fantastic – such strong impact here Mel!
Michael Bermi...
I cant believe there are Dragons Teeth (widely used name for this type of tank trap) in Australia. These are usually found throughout europe and Asia.
I think I am going to have to make a special trip from Perth just to see these. Thanks Mel, my wifes gonna Looove you!!! lol
Stefan Trenker
interesting location, this looks really good in b/w
Rany Lutz
Super, I have never seen these!!
Alan Rodmell
Looks very .. unreal. Nice shot Mel
anthonytsteel
Not for me Mel!!” But what a Quality Image!
Adrian Rachele
What they all said. +1
Halcyon007
Wow, fantastic image Mel.
B&W treatment is gorgeous
Sean Farragher
great capture mel
Deborah Parkin
it’s like walking into another world – it is an amazing image – great work as usual Mel.
Nicholas Averre
Oh Mel.. I love this one!! giving it the full monty really gave it some clout.
Dharna
Looks great in B & W and colour. Each of the colouring gives a different mood. Great shot Mel
frogster
I feel that the b/w really adds to it a dark part of history turned beautiful.
Tamarama72
this works so much better in black and white !! seems to highlight the details
love it mel !
Robert Elliott
Fantastic, a real stunner Mel!!!!
Rhana Griffin
Being as I learnt a little from our guest peaker last night about composition I can finally say this with utmost confidence…
BRILLIANT COMPOSITION MEL!! =))
Jelynn
WOW
simonj
Stunning contrast, It’s great how you seem to be able to capture such benign objects and turn them into something truly fascinating.
Can’t understand why but I keep thinking of marching pyramids !!
velveteagle
The Sleeper Has Awakened. You bring out desire for creation of new thoughts. Thanks
Jared Poole
I love the shape and line in this.
Scrap that.
It’s perfect.
Rob Corbett
lovely: you could almost be in Egypt…
petelangman
Cool as my friend…....cool as
funkyfacestudio
This looks great in b&w or color, They are both gorgeous !
Hiroko
So beautiful and serene…awesome!
JazzMarsden
I love the black and white. Superb job
thickblackoutline
this is wonderful! kinda reminds me of toblerones ;) love the shadows and textures
Mel Brackstone
Toblerones! Yum…thanks everyone for your lovely comments!
gordontant
LOL @ thickblackoutline’s comments
but i agree also , the shadows have such a striking difference
illicit
this is amazing
Gregoryno6
Great pic.
Deri Dority
Awesome shot. It just draws you right in.
joggi2002
Looks like out of another world.
Great pic
janik
Striking image.
Leigh Ann Pobiak
this is very cool. looks great in BW!
Leeo
A Stunner!
Firedrake
AMAZING
Valli aka Fra...
Superb work… also love the coloured version. Congrats!
Raul Brzic
Amazing shot, abstract and real in the same time.
Douzy
Very nice, looks like a StarWars shot… :)
googa
Fastastic.
Bruce Halliburton
Amazing image – could be from another world!
Mark Tisdale
Impressive!
W. J. St. Chri...
Both versions of this image are incredible! I’ve never seen or heard of these “traps” but you have really captured them. They seem mysterious, ominous, and otherworldly. Beautiful work!
Mel Brackstone
Thanks everyone, your wonderful comments are much appreciated!
Dave Pearson
A little late to the party but…. Wow, that’s stunning! That’s a fantastic composition.
Celia Coulter
The black and white really emphasizes the abstract feel to this shot. I like it, I like it a lot.
Angelina Sidarta
This is really fantastic… Best regards.. thanks for your comments.
Pete Chennell
another amazing capture Mel
Eyal Nahmias
This is one of the best B/W images I’ve seen lately. Supberb tonal range, perspective and comp. The light direction, quality and it’s dramatic effect makes this image stand out from the crowd.
louise
Amazing composition Mel !!
A perfect monochrome conversion
science
marvellous, i like it
Kevin Kroeker
Beautiful work… I love the tones in this image.
DesignbySolo
Love the geometry
cdwork
Stunning
Joyce Dickens,...
Dark, chilling dramatic, but also a beautiful image…...awesome capture.
Heather Rivet...
gorgeous work..just gorgeous
tett
I love strong black & white
Madeline Ellis
This is fantastic. I love how the dunes look as if they go on forever.
Dan Davies
High contrast mono was a good choice here and they have a cool science fiction look. I visit Newcastle every month or so for work. I’d love to try and find these one afternoon and see if they are still exposed. Are they hard to find?
Mel Brackstone
HI Dan, last time I know someone went looking they were only tips in the sand….that’s back in Sept I think. Any of the tour companies from Anna Bay will probably be able to tell you.
Marvin Tunstall
Keep up the good work, great shot!!!!!
Kelly Boyle
i love this!!!
mikrin
Very cool find… Great B&W The lighting effect is wonderful!
Alan Knox
Stunning light and shadow, bravo!
Rachael Macleod
wow what a great shot
Rochelle Boardman
Amazing shot, they dont look real, well done =>
ElRobbo
Wow!
This is amazing – it’s hard to believe that it’s real!
Well captured, Mel!
AngelPhotozzz
Wow awsome light and perspective black and white really works here! Excellent! =)
Joanne Bradley
So cool! Excellent image! Congrats Mel on making homepage!
shanghaiwu
oh yes
did not even pick this image as yours /love it
Peter Zentjens
So much more powerful in B&W! Great shot, and congrats on making the homepage
Iani
Amazing image
checkma8
Cool B/W work!
mawaho
Such a dynamic impact in the sand dunes. They look like pyramids. Apparently now they are covered by sand you say. Was the purpose of these structures art, or tank traps?
Maybe to stop 4wd’s? It is a fantastic photo.
mawaho
I had a look at the colour version and read the history of these. Amazing that it goes back to WW2.
Megan Dacy
So gorgeous.
Lenka
Wow! And… WOW! I’ve read the comments and I agree with all of them on perfect qualities of this photograph. Of course the chosen POV and composition make it so strong but what fascinates me at most and makes it so surreal is complete absence of any measure…
Not to forget: congratulation on the homepage :)
Geraldine Lefoe
Congrast on the homepage Mel – love the treatment
Rebecca Wachtel
it’s very strong and calming at the same time…nice vision!
MrTim
Wow, that is a brilliant shotW Love the contrast, composition, everything!
Noel Elliot
Stunning shot Mel
Mel Brackstone
Thank you so much to the person who bought this print!
Xadrik
Cool.
Alice Oates
Excellent image…
Ron Quick
Really enjoy the repeating subjects and the wonderful light & shadows. The other tank trap pics are nice but this one is my favorite mostly because of the shadow play & not having tracks or people in the shot. Also the ripples in the sand dune behind the traps cascading down is a nice detail & adds to the shot-fantastic job!