Seascape Trials

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Originally Posted by ShaneS

And so many of the folks here are jealous about the golden sand bit...



...but I completely understand :) The sandy seascape seems to be the one shot that can become quite formulaic and everyone seems to snap them so finding something different can be a challenge.

I like your idea of scouting out the areas though and have been doing a bit of that myself lately.

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Scouting out an area Shane and undertaking some pre-planning is something I am learning and for my next planned shoot here I have already checked off sun positions, tides, a rubber car mat to kneel on and the right angle adapter for the viewfinder:)

Grahame

You need to get lower than 12 inches in some cases Geoff. So good idea to convert one of your tripods for very low level shots . You can also use a beanbag if your shot is not a long exposure. I'm reading a book about Landscape Photography and using a beanbag is suggested for ground level shots in the book. I haven't tried it yet but I might one day :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Stagecoach

Hi Binnur, I used a Manfrotto with a central column that can be bought out through the top and it allows the camera to be positioned around 12" off the ground but I'm thinking of converting one of my old ones for very low work specifically in rough areas with sea and sand.

Grahame

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Hi Grahame,

Indeed! I might add that bugs and birds look just like they are supposed to when captured.

I tried processing your image because I like it a lot and also because you've helped me a lot so I thought I would give it a try.

I used the curves tool to lighten shadows on the areas that I wanted to emphasize... (the leading lines of the rocks and the lighter clouds) and the curves tool to darken the highlights in portions of the stormy sky - and the floating log pointing to the island to add to the drama of the image. Painting with a 12% opacity.

I wanted to brighten the portions of cloud leading to the island more, and darken others but I couldn't do much without mucking up the sky but I bet you could play more with the full size raw image.

I will be delighted to delete this post after you see it, especially if you are not fond of my attempt. I will send you the PSD in a private message so you can see what I tried to do just in case you do like the idea.

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/...o.jpg~original

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Originally Posted by Stagecoach

Hi Christina, I too find it a struggle but very much fun which is the important thing. What I do find a challenge is that whilst my bug shots all have very minimal PP and I can generally compose them as I want without cropping my vision is not the same with land/seascapes and I do not yet recognise what can be achieved in PP which seems so important with them.

I'll have a go at the mods you suggest, which will be good practice for me.

Grahame

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Breathtaking!

Ooooh, Christina! That is a lovely rendition of Grahame's image. :D

I would be tempted to get the aspect ratio just a bit wider by cropping perhaps 25% of the sky. Not enough to get the horizon close to the centerline, but just enough to bring a bit more emphasis to the island. With the dark foreground and sky, it should really make the island against the lighter sky/water really stand out. ;)

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Originally Posted by Christina S

Hi Grahame,

Indeed! I might add that bugs and birds look just like they are supposed to when captured.

I tried processing your image because I like it a lot and also because you've helped me a lot so I thought I would give it a try.

I used the curves tool to lighten shadows on the areas that I wanted to emphasize... (the leading lines of the rocks and the lighter clouds) and the curves tool to darken the highlights in portions of the stormy sky - and the floating log pointing to the island to add to the drama of the image. Painting with a 12% opacity.

I wanted to brighten the portions of cloud leading to the island more, and darken others but I couldn't do much without mucking up the sky but I bet you could play more with the full size raw image.

I will be delighted to delete this post after you see it, especially if you are not fond of my attempt. I will send you the PSD in a private message so you can see what I tried to do just in case you do like the idea.

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/...o.jpg~original

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Hi Christina,

Great attempt and I see exactly what you aimed for, please do not delete it ! The crop Frank mentions seems to emphasise the rocks even more so it's certainly another possibility.

Last night I also had an attempt at brightening the foreground and was quite pleased but then my Elements threw a wobbler and I have lost some of the functions and the file became corrupted so it looks like a total reload having been unsuccessful resetting defaults.

Just returned from my pre sunrise visit to this location which I almost abandoned due to the weather, but today someone was on my side:)

Grahame

Hi Grahame,

It is nice to know that you can see what I was trying to do. I love this image for the composition and the sky but my imagination is better than my PP skills.

Sorry to hear about your challenges with Elements. And I'm very much looking forward to viewing your next set.

PS Frank. Thank you. :)