Explosion! -- My best crashing wave...ever.

[Mike Buckley]

I came to the conclusion a long time ago that displaying the detail in ocean waves requires post-processing the grey tones properly even though we (or at least I) tend to think of waves as white. This is the first really great crashing wave that I have captured and I had a great time dodging and burning it to bring out its texture. If you see an area of the image that requires more of my attention, please let me know.

The photo was captured in South Africa on the opposite side of Table Mountain from Cape Town. In fact, the scene is in Table Mountain National Park, which is much, much larger than Table Mountain itself.

Please click the image twice to appreciate the detail in the white water.

[FlyingSquirrel]

Nicely done, Mike. An exciting image. Anyone that doesn't view it at full size (and on a calibrated monitor) will be missing out big time. I enjoy how the waves actually look 3D. The rounded boulder is a perfect contrast to the water, in terms of the softer rounded shape and heavy weight. You can almost feel the tension at impact!

[Donald]

I came to the conclusion a long time ago that displaying the detail in ocean waves requires post-processing the grey tones properly even though we (or at least I) tend to think of waves as white.

Expertly done, Mike. The detail you've got in the water is wonderful. When you look at this you can just smell the fresh air and feel the wind.

I experienced the same sort of thing with this one of the old steam engine, but in my case it was about getting the exposure right ... or badly wrong! The first time I tried for this shot, I got it hopelessly wrong. The good thing was that I learned from that, went back two days later and got the exposure on the smoke correct so that I could then process it properly and managed to make the picture.

[Stagecoach]

Mike,

You certainly caught that one right, there's a lot of action in it. What I find surprising is that the front of the rocks look almost dry but it may be due to their texture.

It would look good on the wall

Grahame

[Rob Ekins]

Does any one else see a sleeping dog about to get a rude shock..

Sorry Mike...

Robbie.

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks, everyone!

Matt: It's great to see that the image says the same thing to you that it says to me. It's so easy for viewers of our photographs to see things so differently than we who made them. Though I don't have a problem when that happens, it's reassuring when the photographer and the viewer occasionally agree.

Donald: I wonder if we should be embarrassed that we get so much fulfillment from nailing the exposure on some steam or stopping the action of a crashing wave and getting its texture just the way we want it.

Grahame: I know I used a polarizer, so that might explain why there is no glare or shine on the rock that would indicate that it is wet.

Robbie: No apologies needed, but I don't see the sleeping dog no matter how hard I try. Feel free to draw an outline on the photo to show it to us.

[Rob Ekins]

Robbie: No apologies needed, but I don't see the sleeping dog no matter how hard I try. Feel free to draw an outline on the photo to show it to us.

Sure..maybe it's just me..

[chauncey]

maybe it's just me..

Could be that it's time to get back on the meds Robbie

Mike, you won't find anyone that doesn't like that picture.

[Nancy Moran G]

Still on my 1st cup,of coffee, yeah, I see it too
Terrific photo, I can see why you are so happy. I wish we had some waves around me.
Nancy

[Kaye Leggett]

Great shot Mike and I agree it should go on the wall - its ticks the 'never tire looking at it box'. You ought to enter it in the Sony picture awards category, 'split second' too

[John 2]

Mike, processing apart (which is excellent), you did well to capture the wave at just the right point. I struggle unless I use multiple exposures. I think I suffer from shutter stutter.

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you, everyone!

John: I was shooting at 3 frames per second.

[Brownbear]

Gorgeous!

[Donald]

Donald: I wonder if we should be embarrassed that we get so much fulfillment from nailing the exposure on some steam or stopping the action of a crashing wave and getting its texture just the way we want it.

That is a bit worrying when you see it written down. But at least we don't do drugs or otherwise threaten the wellbeing of the humanity (well, I don't anyway!!).

[Digital]

Very nice shot Mike. Well done.


Bruce

[AB26]

Very, very well done Mike!
The focus, colour it all seem so real.

[pharrael]

Wow, I'm almost hearing the sound of waves .

Mike would you mind to post the untreated photo? I am asking because I'm newbie and I'm trying to learn about PP.

Congratulations, very well done indeed!

[Mike Buckley]

But at least we don't do drugs or otherwise threaten the wellbeing of the humanity (well, I don't anyway!!).

I don't do drugs but some might argue that my mere existence threatens the well being of humanity.

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you, everyone!

Rafael asked to see the original. The first photo shown below is straight out of the camera except that it is downsized for display here and that my typical sharpening used for downsized photos is added. Notice that a lot of drama is missing due primarily to the lack of detail in the white water. That's mostly because there are fewer gray tones and there is no Local Contrast Enhancement, which is a particular sharpening technique.

EDIT: I added the post-processed image to this post so you can easily toggle back and forth between the two images (with no interruption from Robbie's dog ).

Original straight out of the camera


Post-processed image

[pharrael]

Thank you, everyone!

Rafael asked to see the original. This photo is straight out of the camera except that it is downsized for display here and that my typical sharpening used for downsized photos is added. Notice that a lot of drama is missing due primarily to the lack of detail in the white water. That's mostly because there are fewer gray tones, there is no Local Contrast Enhancement, which is a particular sharpening technique, and there is no crop.

Thanks Mike, for the photo and the explanations. Now, I can see better the improvement you could get. Seeing the two pictures I can double my "Wow".

Congratulations again!