Sun, Sea and Sand.....That's all

[Ndukes]

A walk with my dog on the beach (Ballinoulart, Co.Wexford, Ireland) earlier today produced this one. An unremarkable sky, but the receding small waves produce reflections to make the cloud/blue sky shapes more interesting.



Nikon Df with Nikkor 16-35 at 16mm. 1/400 at f16, 400 ISO

[Shadowman]

Nice composition.

[Nicks Pics]

I like it. Nice perspective. You captured it at just the right moment.

[Geoff F]

Yes, that is working. I did wonder about reducing the sky a little by having a 4 x 5 ratio crop instead; which creates more interest towards the far horizon, but it would also lose a lot of the cloud impact.

[bnnrcn]

I like the image, a shot with landscape format might also look good if you have one, since those clouds need some more space to show up

[Ndukes]

I like the image, a shot with landscape format might also look good if you have one, since those clouds need some more space to show up

Many thanks Binnur. This one's for you. I felt that the landscape version had a little more drama but less 'shape'. I must admit that I tend to shoot mostly in vertical rather than landscape format. I find it easier to find the composition in vertical format.

Many thanks to you and also to John, Nick and Geoff for your kind comments.

The shape of the beach here stays pretty much the same but the sea, the clouds and the light are constantly changing. So the opportunities to get something new keep presenting themselves.


Nikon Df with Nikkor 16-35 at 16mm. 1/400 at f22, ISO 400

[bnnrcn]

This is a promising image Neville If you like playing with colors, reducing highlights and making some color adjustments (HSL or Selective Color Adjustment) might improve the image . If my eyes are not wrong, horizon also needs a bit levelling .

[Geoff F]

Your eyes are wrong, Binnur.

When viewed at full screen size the horizon is level; but there is a wave on the left plus a bit of wedge shaped horizon cloud which are giving a slightly distorted view.

[bnnrcn]

Thank you Geoff, this is what I suspected I would still correct the image if it was mine because it has a tilted feeling although it is not tilted. Do you think it has to be left as is or it should be corrected ?

Your eyes are wrong, Binnur.

When viewed at full screen size the horizon is level; but there is a wave on the left plus a bit of wedge shaped horizon cloud which are giving a slightly distorted view.

[FrankMi]

If my eyes are not wrong, horizon also needs a bit levelling.

The easiest way to tell if the horizon is level with this kind of an image is to open it in the Light Box and use your mouse to move the horizon to either the top or bottom frame border. If it lines up with the border, then it's level.

That technique could be misleading if the scene has land at the horizon because the distant shoreline may be advancing or receding.

[Ndukes]

Many thanks for your comments and suggestions folks. I'll work on the area of the image around the horizon later as I think it needs exploring for fine detail which is a bit overshadowed by the drama of the top and bottom sections.

[cuilin]

love the first, all of the lines and shapes come together to create an excellent composition. beautiful tones and colors. the reflection of the sky on the wet sand is the perfect final touch.

[Stagecoach]

I like it Neville, both versions.

[GBO25]

I like both as well. Great lines. Maybe a tiny bit washed out in the highlights but what great compositions.

[IzzieK]

Having lived a good part of my life near the sea, that first image reminds me of experiencing vertigo at times...very effective to scare me (word I cannot say here being an Aussie...) not the cloud but the movement of the water and the sand...nice shot..

[Ndukes]

Yes Izzie, I know what you mean. I do a little shore angling which involves wading up to around 3 feet deep sometimes in fast moving water over rocks and sand. It's very unsettling when the ground you stand on starts to move away, especially when you can't even see it. I know several versions of the word you dare not mention which have been called into service on such occasions.

[Ndukes]

Thank you Beth, Grahame, Graham and Izzie for comments.

[marlunn]

Nice shots Neville, just how I like my beaches

[Ndukes]

Thanks Mark.
Here's one I prepared earlier taking on everybody's suggestions. This was a different exposure and I have done a lot of tinkering about in CS6, mainly selective curves and colour balance.
Sorry I can't stop the sea and sand moving Izzie!


Nikon Df with 16-35 at 16mm, 1/400 at f22, ISO 400

[IzzieK]

Thanks Neville -- I love living near the beach and I missed it badly but everytime I think of the salty water ruining my succession of cars (and trucks...I love trucks!!!), I am happy far away from it and will just choose to live near a lake instead...

OFF TOPIC: When I was looking for a partner, I used to ask subtly "Do you have a truck?"