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Spring Gold
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Spring Gold

by Helio Cristovao

Gallery: LandscapePosted June 29, 2011372 views13 comments
An early Spring sunset session on this protected landscape, beautiful sandstone fossil cliffs with exquisite formations, made my day by achieving the photo I had in mind... A few of magic gold light lits the cliff, wildflower and sand, and as the sun sets I shoot rendering the scene in 'simple' sky but intense colors.

Processing on Capture Nx2, localized adjustments, tones enhancement, little blown sky portion 'recovered' in warm tone. Exported Tiff, and in PS double processed single file using Nik HDR Efex Pro plugin, layering the HDR result at 30% opacity, I achieved the intense but IMO natural color feeling.

Shot in Nikon digital, Nikkor lens 18mm, single exposure at f/22 1,5s 100ISO

All feedback very appreciated.

NOTE: Also see the image "Message from Hell" from talented photograher Pedro Bento, in the same beautiful cliffs. Take a look at his interpretative style of the place.

Comments

13 comments
Comment posted by Pedro Bento on June 29, 2011 at 11:25 AM
This is incredible beautiful and the post procession just perfect. :toast:

Amanhã é para fazer melhor ainda ............. TUGA POWAAAAAA :toast:
Registered on September 2, 2007, 45 Posts, 761 Comments
Comment posted by Andreas Resch on June 29, 2011 at 12:14 PM
Quite different from Pedros rendition of the place. Your composition is amazing here and the light is awesome.
Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments
Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on June 29, 2011 at 12:44 PM
Great light on these cliffs and flowers. Looks like a view I haves seen near Torre Pines near Del Mar, CA. Maybe these are the same? The composition has such a great blend of elements, and processing perfect for me. :toast:
Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments
Comment posted by Art Escobado on June 29, 2011 at 12:50 PM
Tight comp!
Registered on January 7, 2007, 0 Posts, 775 Comments
Comment posted by Scott Smorra on June 29, 2011 at 12:55 PM
This is a beautiful spring image Helio. I like the depth in the image created by the side lighting. It was interesting to compare this photo with Pedro's. They are both great images, but are distinctly different.
Registered on November 2, 2009, 161 Posts, 2143 Comments
Comment posted by Dorin Bofan on June 29, 2011 at 1:10 PM
Superb depiction of the place, Helio! It's nice to see two different interpretations of the place. I love the light here and how my eyes are carried away towards the ocean and the distant mountains.
Registered on April 30, 2007, 122 Posts, 3086 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Chambers on June 29, 2011 at 2:06 PM
Truly beautiful Helio. The yellow flowers really "pop", and the distant pastels are lovely. Excellent capture.
Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments
Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on June 29, 2011 at 6:47 PM
Love it....what an awesome location. Now to figure out where...on to the list it goes! Well done sir!

aF
Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on June 29, 2011 at 7:49 PM
Hélio,

Great color, contrast and beautiful light. This is quite a lovely and sparkling coastal landscape. I like everything about this right down to the lines of the surf down below. Quite a contrasting take on this location with Pedro, but both equally beautiful takes.

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by Eva McDermott on June 29, 2011 at 9:34 PM
Beautiful, crisp detail Heilo. Feels like I am standing right there. Wonderful light and color.
Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments
Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on June 30, 2011 at 11:22 AM
What a different interpretation of this place, Hélio. I like the complexity of the various elements, but also their segregation to specific parts of the scene so that there is less conflict an chaos. The comp and light are perfect (at least on my laptop). Very rich looking image.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on June 30, 2011 at 8:09 PM
This is beautiful. What a wonderful feeling I get looking at this. Great processing too, and yes, nice natural looking color! :toast:

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on July 1, 2011 at 7:21 PM
Fantastic shot. The processing does indeed look very natural. It's interesting that Pedro came up with such a different interpretation . . . clearly you each approached this location with very different goals in mind!
Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments