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Hidden Treasures
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Hidden Treasures

by Aaron Ellingsen

Gallery: LandscapePosted March 15, 2010420 views32 comments
3-14-10, Samuel Boardman Scenic Corridor, Southern Oregon Coast.

Everything was looking very promising for a nice sunset last night, but by the time the sun set, offshore fog had snuffed out all hopes of a nice light show. The color version of this shot was decent, but I felt the B&W conversion worked better with the general mood of the scene.

Hopefully the cut-off shadow in the FG isn't a turnoff for anyone. I had originally meant to include the entire shadow in my composition, but somehow in fine tuning the framing of the other elements, i got distracted and cut it off on accident. I was working fast to catch the sun in between the stacks, and before it went behind the clouds. Thats my story and I'm sticking to it!

Comments? Critiques? Lets hear 'em! Thanks.

Comments

32 comments
Comment posted by Eric Good on March 15, 2010 at 10:36 PM
At first I wished the shadow wasn't cutoff, but the more I look at it I'm not sure that would be desirable. If you were to tilt the camera down or lower the camera's perspective to capture the whole shadow, I think the overall composition would be weakened. Either too much empty space on the bottom or lessening the sense of depth from a lower camera perspective. I like it as presented... strong comp and nice tones throughout. Good stuff!
Registered on March 17, 2007, 116 Posts, 4764 Comments
Comment posted by Bret Edge on March 15, 2010 at 11:01 PM
In most cases a shadow cutoff like this one would annoy me but for some reason, it doesn't bother me at all here. Gorgeous black and white image that is absolutely perfectly composed. No nits at all.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 711 Posts, 6363 Comments
Comment posted by Aaron Ellingsen on March 15, 2010 at 11:03 PM
Sorry Jesse! :wink: It was low tide at sunset, and the weather was great. Couldn't pass up the opportunity. Don't worry though, there is plenty to shoot here. You'll love this beach when you finally get a chance to shoot it. :wavey:
Registered on January 16, 2008, 56 Posts, 953 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Chambers on March 15, 2010 at 11:25 PM
The cutoff shadow doesn't really bother me at all, in fact, including all of it might have made the FG look too barren. Great detail in the sand and main FG rock. Perfect image for B&W.
Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments
Comment posted by Zack Schnepf on March 15, 2010 at 11:39 PM
This is my favorite stretch of the Oregon Coast. Great comp here, and the B&W treatment works well. The cut off shadow does not bother me. Beautiful image.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2528 Comments
Comment posted by Vance Gese on March 15, 2010 at 11:55 PM
Fantastic Aaron. I don't see how this could be any better. Perfect composition, including that shadow which is just right in my opinion. Your use of b/w and the processing and resulting tonal range is really nice. Superb work.
Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments
Comment posted by Jeremy Kessler on March 16, 2010 at 12:03 AM
Fantastic, don't mind the shadow at all, probably wouldn't have noticed had you not mentioned it.
Registered on September 13, 2007, 36 Posts, 1283 Comments
Comment posted by Doug Roane on March 16, 2010 at 12:09 AM
not botherin' me either. Great mono image!
Registered on December 12, 2008, 213 Posts, 2226 Comments
Comment posted by Morris McClung on March 16, 2010 at 12:14 AM
Great timing, comp, and conversion. Very well done!
Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments
Comment posted by Tyson Fisher on March 16, 2010 at 1:12 AM
Superb shot, Aaron. The cut off shadow doesn't bother me at all; seems like including the whole thing would have thrown the comp off a bit. You did a great job managing the range of contrast. I could be seeing things but it almost looks like a feint sundog (think that's the term) on the extreme left side above the horizon.
Registered on September 17, 2008, 44 Posts, 623 Comments
Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on March 16, 2010 at 2:04 AM
I love the luminosity here Aaron, it really feels alive! I'd have loved the cut off shadow to be included, though it's hard to tell how it would affect the rest of the image as Eric pointed out. Those things always seem to bother me less once something is printed and framed too. Nice conversion!
Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments
Comment posted by Andreas Resch on March 16, 2010 at 4:30 AM
Great shot, Aaron. No problems with the shadows for me as they aren't that contrasty.
Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments
Comment posted by Stuart Williams on March 16, 2010 at 4:31 AM
lovely work - i do have a tinge of regret about that shadow! otherwise the comp & tones are wonderful.
Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments
Comment posted by David Edwards on March 16, 2010 at 4:41 AM
Nice comp, Aaron. I like the b/w conversion and the cut off fg shadow works well for me. I love the quality of light reflecting off the water. Great shot!
Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments
Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on March 16, 2010 at 5:35 AM
Pretty killer image. Would be nice to see the entire shadow but think it still works. Say it def needs some good web sharpening as looks way soft here. Also maybe a very small midtone contrast bump? Way to catch this!

aF
Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments
Comment posted by Peter Gordon on March 16, 2010 at 6:19 AM
Shadow or not this works very well. Love the detail in the FG rock and the conversion looks really good too..
Registered on May 31, 2007, 224 Posts, 1490 Comments
Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on March 16, 2010 at 7:36 AM
Nice capture Aaron, great light and I like the bw treatment here. The cut off shadow doesn't bother me at all.
Registered on June 30, 2008, 203 Posts, 2641 Comments
Comment posted by Reed Bowman on March 16, 2010 at 7:51 AM
very nice image. The tonal range is great as is the composition
Registered on March 2, 2009, 166 Posts, 1058 Comments
Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on March 16, 2010 at 8:12 AM
I as well love the brightness and time of this shot Aaron. The shadows seem to be engulfed by the light which is usually opposite in landscape. Great choice for a b+w.
Lovely shot
Great job
Registered on February 5, 2009, 199 Posts, 2775 Comments
Comment posted by Guy Tal on March 16, 2010 at 8:49 AM
Beautiful detail and great B&W treatment. This has such a pristine clean feeling. Wish I could smell the ocean again.

Guy
Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments
Comment posted by Jay Patel on March 16, 2010 at 8:55 AM
Beautiful textures and excellent composition makes this an outstanding photograph. Good work.
Registered on August 28, 2008, 87 Posts, 566 Comments
Comment posted by John Williams on March 16, 2010 at 9:54 AM
Outstanding from top to bottom. I really have no nits Aaron; the shadow doesn't bug me at all. Really well done man!

:toast:
Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments
Comment posted by Eva McDermott on March 16, 2010 at 10:32 AM
Fantastic light and tonality Aaron. The cut off shadow is not distracting at all. beautiful work.
Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments
Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on March 16, 2010 at 3:22 PM
It really glows Aaron. Very nice all around.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments
Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on March 16, 2010 at 4:16 PM
The comp is just great and the b/w conversion works very well. The cutoff shadow doesn't bother me here. Great detail in the sand and the tonal range is nice. Superb work
Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments
Comment posted by Stan Rose on March 16, 2010 at 7:05 PM
Great comp, great subject, great light, great presentation! Did i mention this is just great? :smile:
Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments
Comment posted by Jonathan Sinclair on March 16, 2010 at 7:29 PM
I love everything about this image! beautiful B/W, and the shadows add a nice touch!
Registered on February 11, 2010, 35 Posts, 39 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Metternich on March 16, 2010 at 8:52 PM
Comment, nice.

One edge infringement on the right where the rock gets cut off, but that is being picky.

Also a great but largely underexploited area!

Very nice! :toast:
Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments
Comment posted by Luis Argerich on March 17, 2010 at 12:46 PM
What can I say Aaron? It's fantastic, a wonderful composition and perfect execution. Stunning!
Registered on December 22, 2009, 91 Posts, 1349 Comments
Comment posted by Aaron Burdick on March 17, 2010 at 6:12 PM
This is a beautiful shot! I love the detail in the foreground and the sunstar. I don't mind the cut off shadow at all.
Registered on May 1, 2009, 31 Posts, 197 Comments
Comment posted by Ian Haskell on March 17, 2010 at 7:28 PM
Aaron.

Amazing image - lovely B&W shot.

Ian
Registered on October 30, 2008, 24 Posts, 673 Comments
Comment posted by Gabi Lach on March 18, 2010 at 8:35 AM
Beautiful! I was at this spot last fall and loved it. An amazing beach, perhaps my favorite from all coast. Love your composition and light and the mood. Great capture, Aaron.
Registered on May 1, 2007, 101 Posts, 3187 Comments