Seascapes - Early Morning

[Stagecoach]

Grahame...I like both.... I love the PP of the filtered skies. I also like that you got that heart shape on the rock (LHS)in the first shot though...Oh NO!!! Mickey Mouse left his mark when he visited that place!!!

Hi Izzie and thanks, I have just finished a total re-do of No 1 but I'm now scared to post it just in case I have cropped the heart or Mickey's mark

Grahame

[Stagecoach]

Here's the full re-do of No 1 taking account of the very helpful comments and also what I believe I want to portray in the image representing the beauty of the scene to me.

For PP work I spent a lot more time working on the RAW image using both ViewNX and ACR (mainly for noise reduction) with final localised work being undertaken in my old Elements 7 ()

This image had some hot areas in the sky to the left and whilst not blown limited how far I could push things previously unless I used selections and gradients. What I did differently this time was once in Elements to clone/burn these hot areas allowing the histogram to be pushed more to the right.

I made a concious decision not to push the colours because for me this image is all about the light and water and increasing saturation detracted from that. In addition I made a positive effort to maintain IQ.

This one displays at 1400px width, a bit larger than my normal.



Grahame

[David547]

WOW ! that's really amazing shot.. Great work..

[Brownbear]

Beautiful! My favourite is still the 2nd image but this version is lovely. I would also like this version with the sky cropped to the level of the 1st line of clouds... There is something about the dark rocks and the moody blue sea pointing to just the horizon that I love, but I love this version, too.

Here's the full re-do of No 1 taking account of the very helpful comments and also what I believe I want to portray in the image representing the beauty of the scene to me.

For PP work I spent a lot more time working on the RAW image using both ViewNX and ACR (mainly for noise reduction) with final localised work being undertaken in my old Elements 7 ()

This image had some hot areas in the sky to the left and whilst not blown limited how far I could push things previously unless I used selections and gradients. What I did differently this time was once in Elements to clone/burn these hot areas allowing the histogram to be pushed more to the right.

I made a concious decision not to push the colours because for me this image is all about the light and water and increasing saturation detracted from that. In addition I made a positive effort to maintain IQ.

This one displays at 1400px width, a bit larger than my normal.



Grahame

[Stagecoach]

WOW ! that's really amazing shot.. Great work..

Thank you David, it's a great view also as the sun come up.

[Stagecoach]

Beautiful! My favourite is still the 2nd image but this version is lovely. I would also like this version with the sky cropped to the level of the 1st line of clouds... There is something about the dark rocks and the moody blue sea pointing to just the horizon that I love, but I love this version, too.

Hi Christina, I'll rework that second image today as it's raining but just for you here's the one with the clouds cropped. For me there's too many choices as I also like a version with the clouds cropped a bit more and more of the foreground. I need to find another bug or critter, so much easier



Grahame

[Brownbear]

Hi Grahame,

No need to rework the image unless it is something that fits with your final vision of the image. My vision was your last version with the sky cropped even more than you have done here, and yes with more foreground... So many possibilities within just one landscape image and yes, I agree far more challenging then bugs and critters captured for the moment.

Thank you as always for sharing your images, [technique, thoughts and post processing challenges. It is immensely helpful and a great learning experience. Not to mention the pleasure of viewing such beautiful scenery... Raining! That means some interesting bugs will be visiting you soon!

Hi Christina, I'll rework that second image today as it's raining but just for you here's the one with the clouds cropped. For me there's too many choices as I also like a version with the clouds cropped a bit more and more of the foreground. I need to find another bug or critter, so much easier



Grahame

[ShaneS]

Grahame - I think you knocked it out of the park with your re-edit of the first image! The clarity of the island in the distance is amazing and your really enhances the image as does the toning down of the blue cast. Very nice work indeed

BTW, I'm thankful for the rain and I the possibility that I will get to see a new version of the second soon as well.

[Stagecoach]

BTW, I'm thankful for the rain and I the possibility that I will get to see a new version of the second soon as well.

Well here it is Shane !

I am going to dedicate this one specifically to Christina as today she sent me the PSD file of a previous image of mine that she had worked on so I could see exactly how she had achieved the result. To start with I was confused with the different layers and masks (I use PSE) and then it all clicked into place and I realised where I have not been doing things in a logical manner with the same tools I have available.

Without going into details, the RAW was worked on globally to the max I could do leaving some leeway at each end of the histogram. In PSE, the rocks, water and sky all worked on independently having made adjustment layers specific to each area and then brushing on where I wanted. The end result an image with far less work and a far grater IQ retained.

The colours in this are slightly different than the original in that I played a bit with the WB the result of which lined the RGB peaks together closer than before.

So, to Christina, thank you.



Comments re the processing and improvements that could be made are of course very welcome. I also have the version with the full sky.

Grahame

[Brownbear]

Simply beautiful...

[Stagecoach]

Simply beautiful...

Thanks Christina, I have culled 80% of what I was going to keep and have just left myself with two left to work on now.

Now I have to go back to the location as soon as it stops raining and am going to hang a sign around the camera 'THINK COMPOSITION'

Grahame

[ShaneS]

Grahame;

Love the revised #2 as you have coaxed out more detail on the foreground water and I like the crops as well as the white balance. Another one you should be very proud of IMHO.

Now a question or two about this comment. You said:

I played a bit with the WB the result of which lined the RGB peaks together closer than before.

I had no idea it was desirable for the peaks to be aligned. Can you explain why that is the case and how you achieve dthis specifically or is it as simple was what you said about adjusting the WB?

Thanks again for sharing such a lovely pair of your images and how they went from good to great

[Stagecoach]

Now a question or two about this comment. You said:

I had no idea it was desirable for the peaks to be aligned. Can you explain why that is the case and how you achieve dthis specifically or is it as simple was what you said about adjusting the WB?

Thanks again for sharing such a lovely pair of your images and how they went from good to great

Hi Shane, I'm pleased you like this attempt and it's my final on this, although .............................

I can not think of a reason why it would be desirable or should be the aim to align the peaks in a situation like this, I mentioned it because it so noticeably happened in this case. From my limited experience of serious pre sunrise shots it very much comes down to choosing a WB that appeals to me but I tried to get this shot as close to how I remembered the scene.

With this edit I used the 'Multiply' blend mode for the water brushing it on using a mask with a gradient emphasising the foreground, it was the first time I had tried this and it certainly helped with the water contrast and enhancement of the detail under the shallower water.

Grahame

[ShaneS]

Whew! I thought I was missing something really important about the histogram Well, I'm probably missing a lot of stuff but at least I don't feel like I am missing out on something really important now....

Very nice work...now for the rain to stop! It's been crazy humid here as the remnants of tropical depression Wali are hanging around the islands dropping rain on parts and leaving pretty much everyone miserable. I'm hoping it will pass by the weekend as I found a new spot that I want to check out.

[Brownbear]

And I need to make myself a sign just like yours.

PS Thank you for explaining the histogram peaks. I too was about to ask you about this. And thank you Shane for asking.

Thanks Christina, I have culled 80% of what I was going to keep and have just left myself with two left to work on now.

Now I have to go back to the location as soon as it stops raining and am going to hang a sign around the camera 'THINK COMPOSITION'

Grahame