Pacific Keyhole 2

Great detail in the foreground rocks as well as the qualities that you mention yourself. Excellent job.

Excellent Mark - I love the perspective here, and the great water action.

I like the water motion Mark with nice light and color out the keyhole. Surrounding rock has some nice detail too. Beautiful and unique work.

I think I remember this from a while ago. Yes the water came out great. I really like the touches of gold in the water.

Color, contrast, and luminance all look good on my monitor although a slight boost in the contrast of the scene beyond the keyhole couldn't hurt. (Which monitor did you get....I'm in the market for a new one also). Nice work!

Fantastic Image Mark!

awesome shot Mark! If it were mine, I'd consider darkening the arch a little bit since it looks like it should be back lit by the setting sun. Very cool!

Beautiful!

- Dan.

Real nice effect on the water Mark. It's just me but I think I would prefer a cleaner look around the edge of the arch. Excellent work.

Wow, what an image, Mark. Incredible textures everywhere. I could see darkening the upper parts of the arch a bit, but that's nitpicking. This is just stunning.

I think there are a lot of great things going on in this image. the water action and key hole portal create a strong visual pull, which leaves my eye searching for something of great intrigue on the other side - I am just not finding it? Because of this, the image seems to leave me dangling.

If possible, consider going back with great cloud texture and color present and I think this scene could be remarkable. Especially with some warm reflected sky colors in the water.

Just my opinion though, it seems as though it is working for everyone else.

Thanks for sharing, Shane

Very nice Mark, especially like the FG water, leads the eye right into the scene.

This is an amazing image Mark. The composition is outstanding. I really like your choice of shutter speed here and the warm sunset light in the background is icing on the cake. Well done!!

I'll second the suggestion for more contrast in the scene beyond the arch. I think a local levels adjustment might be a good start. Though I understand the desire to have the top of the sky retain its blue, my mind wants some part of the sky to exceed or at least meet the level of brightness in the water. Otherwise it just feels off. It's reasonable for the shadows back there to be more open than those of the foreground, but I don't think it would hurt to move them a little closer. Very awesome!

what an amazing perspective, fantastic shot!

Awesome! Great shot!

One exposure????!!!

Holy epic shot. I'm a big fan of water motion around .3-1s. You da man! If possible post a shot of where you were standing :P

aF

Very nice Mark, love the water motion and nice glow.

Very cool shot Mark. Risky move, but looks like it paid off. ;]

Yikes! Your description sounds a bit nerve wracking. This is a masterful photo anyway, but even more so given the conditions. Some good processing suggestions above, but this is an awesome addition to your portfolio!!

Hey everyone. I'm on my iPhone right now so I cannot address everything but I'll address a few things.

Thanks everyone for their valued feedback.

This is a preliminary web demo. When attempting to make a master quality print I will often do a "test run" developing an image. I will not apply the same type of ultra strict scrutiny to it but just give it a test run to learn how best to approach it. Putting it here under trained eyes often gives me good feedback. Then when I feel inspired I will go back and start from scratch and develop the image for large print with all the intense scrutiny I can muster.

Aaron, this is about 95% one image with just the sky only erased in because of dynamic range (I almost got that area in one shot but not quite). If I can find a picture of the mini ledge I will post it.

Yes, I was a tad sloppy blending the edge around the arch but I won't be on the final version and especially the print.

The semi diffused light and glow did allow for good shadow detail quite easily without too much shadow recovery but I could see a very slight dampening there to lesson the almost hdr look a tad. I'll try it.

As far as going back to try to get more background interest... I doubt I could ever beat this one do to this spot not even being possible to photograph because of tide changes and weather 98% of the year. And the % I could manage, I doubt would yield more. Plus this is not a safe place to shoot so I don't think I should push my luck too much. But if I do try, and the arch is still there, I'll post it here.

As far as localized contrast in the background region? I'll give it a try, thanks. I appreciate all the feedback. I'll have to check my other monitor because there is the possibility that I can not see these things on this one as previously mentioned.

Oh, and monitor recommendations... I'm the worst to ask. I have yet to get on top of a great monitor due to my travel, equipment, print, and other photo related priorities. Sorry.

Thanks everyone!

Congratulations Mark, this is really outstanding!!!
Really cool
Marco

Awesome!

Mark,
LOVE this image, front to back! The water action is great, the comp with the "keyhole", and the light you had all come together to make another amazing image. You've already addressed some of the issues I had with this, mostly the blurred top of the arch.

I've been searching the coastline for these accessible arches and have found a few so far...but havent had the right light yet. Kudos to you...from a jealous photographer!

Wow Mark, that's a very powerful photo. I couldn't imagine what that must have been like that close to the water. Nice job and I bet that will look awesome when you make a print.

this is really fantastic, Mark. Great dynamic composition and I really like your choice of shutter speed. Be careful out there, though!

Spectacular image Mark!

Fantastic Mark. Incredible depth and mood. Really a phenomenal image.

VERY nice! The comp is very strong, but that water! Damn! You picked the perfect shutter speed to maximize the impact of that water. It feels like it's gonna bust outta the sides of the photo and splash all over my desktop. I also like the softness of the light here.

No nits with this one!

Very strong comp Mark, definitely among your best work. The movement in the water is outstanding but it looks just a little bit too HDR-ish to me. Maybe tone down the contrast / clarity in the water a bit?

Thanks Doug for the safety admonition. I agree wholeheartedly.

Before going into what I call "the danger zone" I always spend an hour or so studying the waves very carefully. I also create and practice a quick way out! But in this shot the latter was not possible so extra care was taken to read the tide and I took the image as tide was going out, not in (although the wave is certainly coming in). You really DO need to know what you are doing for shots like this to minimize the risks. But even then, you can never eliminate them altogether. Unless you have a lot of coastal experience and really know what you are doing I advise people to stay away from any "danger zone" altogether.

spectacular shot Mark. Glad you made it! Perfect exposure and great comp. here. Congrats

Excellent photo Mark, the rushing water and the keyhole view through the rock looks great.

Gary.

Very dramatic image, Mark! The composition is so elegant and the post processing truly brings the best in the scene and has your well known signature. Stunning and congrats for the effort put in doing this one!

This has to be one of my favorites from you.

I like the way the water and opening of the keyhole draws one into the pic and the background.

Sweeeet!! Print it huge.

This is a stunner Mark! I used to camp down by this area when I was a teenager. You can drive right out on the beach near here. I've yet to be back to photograph it myself, but it's high on my list, especially now that I've seen this masterpiece. I'm sure the print will be very impressive.

Again thanks everyone. I will re do the image w more finesse soon (and print it huge!)

Zack, yes this is that area. But the last time I checked it out, there was substantial erosion. I think it is in danger of extinction soon do to the waves beating the tar out of it 24-7. I would advise getting there soon.

Have fun. What a great area on the Oregon coast huh?!

Tim, thanks and yes a BUZZ!

Whoa! Risky shot but it was worth doing it, I guess. Cool.
georg

Cool image! I really like the water effect and sweet overall comp.

Awesome perspective! I'd echo what others have said: deepen the shadows slighlty and more contrast in the keyhole background. Very nice work!

A very cool shot. Lots to like in this one.

Wow, Mark! That is an incredible image! Beautifully crafted from previsualization to composition, exposure control and perfect shutter speed. Well deserving of the EP!