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Still Among the Living!
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Still Among the Living!

by Chris Chamberlain

Gallery: LandscapePosted July 17, 2011476 views33 comments
Well, summer has me feeling like I'm in the dulldrums. Not much to shoot, and no time to pursue it. All I can really do is revisit some memorable moments from earlier in the year. Anxiously looking forward to fall and winter. I had wanted to explore some of the beaches out on Point Reyes. When I arrived at the beach trailhead, there were only a few clouds. I told my wife, by the time the sunset would happen the clouds would all be gone, and it was probably going to be a bust. But, we were there, so why not? Anyway, not a mind blowing shot, but some of the nicest color and clouds I have been offered at the coast. Large version included, I'd love to hear your thoughts. I like the darker, moody light and color, what do you think, too dark???

D200,
18-70mm,
GND,
6sec, F/6.7

Thanks,
Chris

Comments

33 comments
Comment posted by Daniel Ewert on July 17, 2011 at 11:53 PM
Very nice, Chris. I don't think it is too dark overall but I might bump the levels a bit to make the lights a bit lighter to give it a shade more pop. Your long exposure to smooth out the waves makes for great effect here. Well done!
Registered on June 2, 2009, 103 Posts, 1500 Comments
Comment posted by Robert Dayton on July 18, 2011 at 12:06 AM
Lovely, Chris, and thanks for providing the larger version. No nits from me.
This is very peaceful and would make a wonderful large print or calendar
page.
Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments
Comment posted by Danny Laureys on July 18, 2011 at 12:06 AM
Very nice indeed, great colors, good thing you stuck around. :toast: :toast: :toast:
Registered on January 5, 2008, 590 Posts, 1261 Comments
Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on July 18, 2011 at 12:06 AM
Some serious eye candy here. This is gorgeous. That little stream in water in the foreground is perfectly placed.
Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments
Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on July 18, 2011 at 12:10 AM
Thanks guys! Here's one with a levels adjustment per Daniel's suggestion.
Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments
Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on July 18, 2011 at 1:08 AM
Thats a beauty ! The shiny rocks in the foreground complement the calm feel of the sky and waves very well.
Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on July 18, 2011 at 2:09 AM
AAHH, just what I needed to see tonight after an awful day - a beautiful sunset with peaceful, serene water and a little mist.
Thank you!
Excellent!
Sandy
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on July 18, 2011 at 2:27 AM
Great shot Chris. Well balanced comp with beautiful light. Can't go wrong with this one!
Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments
Comment posted by Ed Lowe on July 18, 2011 at 7:20 AM
Not to dark for me, Chris. Either version works beautifully, but I think I prefer the first. It seems to carry the moment better IMO. :toast:

Ed
Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments
Comment posted by Neale Dyster on July 18, 2011 at 8:57 AM
That's a wonderful shot Chris, the mood is fantastic. I prefer the original, and the larger version rocks! :toast:
Registered on February 19, 2008, 94 Posts, 738 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on July 18, 2011 at 10:13 AM
This is beautiful Chris. Really well done! I love looking at this and feeling the wonderful mood you have here. Both versions really nice, but think I prefer the mood of the original a bit better. Not sure which one I would print if you decide to do that, but I sure would print one of them!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on July 18, 2011 at 10:22 AM
It very pretty, Chris. The balance of light is nice and I like the way the clouds and water seem to be sharing this moment in perfect harmony.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments
Comment posted by Mat Malone on July 18, 2011 at 10:54 AM
Elegant, Chris. I like the original version. The FG reflection is awesome.
Registered on December 15, 2008, 91 Posts, 882 Comments
Comment posted by Eva McDermott on July 18, 2011 at 12:22 PM
Gorgeous work Chris. I like your repost since it accentuates some of the detail in the water ripples. I love the color and overall mood as well.
Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments
Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on July 18, 2011 at 12:37 PM
This is real nice, Chris. I know this spot very well but haven't managed a good sunrise or sunset in my visits there yet. It's also a bit of a tough place because it changes quite a bit . . . the "rockscape" I saw on one visit was almost completely buried under sand six weeks later.

On the shot, I prefer the repost slightly to the original. The levels adjustment seems to have bumped the saturation just a bit as well, and that works for me. Composition is also quite good . . . you really nailed this in my opinion.

Next time you're at this location, take a walk down to the far end of the beach that you'd captured here and walk through a narrow slot at the base of the cliff (you can see the "V" in your shot here). There's a nice little beach on the other side with a lot of photographic potential. You've got to hit it during a relatively low tide though or it can be dangerous.
Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments
Comment posted by John Williams on July 18, 2011 at 1:20 PM
Superb Chris! The repost works well, and doesn't take too much away from the moodiness of the shot. You note the dulldrums; it's interesting how the photos we take or work with often match our mood.
Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments
Comment posted by Kent Mearig on July 18, 2011 at 2:58 PM
It's nice either way, but I prefer the original version. You only need so much "pop" under conditions like this. Could you really pull adequate DOF at f/6.7? That's one thing I still miss about an APS-C sensor.
Registered on September 4, 2006, 237 Posts, 4748 Comments
Comment posted by Ian Plant on July 18, 2011 at 6:05 PM
A lovely, peaceful comp with a beautiful color palette - sweet! Doesn't need to be "mind blowing" to be great. The subtle stuff is more of a challenge, IMO, and you handled this one with aplomb. :toast:
Registered on July 7, 2008, 271 Posts, 1657 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on July 18, 2011 at 6:27 PM
A nice relaxing scene. I like the darker version, myself. Very nicely done, Chris.
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Pelton on July 18, 2011 at 7:57 PM
Exceptionally beautiful scene, Chris, and I like the way you present it here fairly dark. As a print I think it would need to be lightened a little. Very nice image.
Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments
Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on July 18, 2011 at 9:27 PM
Thanks everybody, I appreciate it!

Kent, not sure if F/6,7 was the best. It was getting pretty dark, and very windy. I didn't want to bump the iso past 200, so had to open up the aperture as well to try and keep the exposure from getting really long. I figured it was a better gamble over wind induced camera shake, or something.

Thanks,
Chris
Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments
Comment posted by Morris McClung on July 18, 2011 at 10:18 PM
Lovely image with excellent color and clarity and your comp is every bit as good. Super shot!
Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on July 19, 2011 at 9:29 AM
I don't see any reason to apologize for this picture not being dramatic. The beauty and serenity are palpable. I'd make a poster size print, hang it in a heartbeat, and view it every day.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on July 19, 2011 at 12:27 PM
A very beautiful composition. well done. :toast:
Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments
Comment posted by Chikku Baiju on July 19, 2011 at 2:23 PM
Lovely scene here. The long exposure makes it look cool. I also would suggest with more shadow detail.
Registered on January 9, 2010, 31 Posts, 246 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Metternich on July 19, 2011 at 10:27 PM
Very peaceful image here Chris! Lovely light and nice comp. What else to say? :toast:
Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments
Comment posted by David Edwards on July 20, 2011 at 6:09 AM
A fabulous shot, Chris. I like the original version where the contrast is softer. It allows for a longer viewing experience and the opportunity to explore the image comfortably. The repost is nice, but the extra highlights distract a lot from the rest of the image imho. Wonderful color, light and mood. Super shot! :toast:
Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on July 20, 2011 at 7:41 PM
Simply gorgeous Chris. I like the tweaks in the repost and I'm sure this will make a stunning print.

I didn't read all the comments, but you'll have to tell me which beach this was. Kehoe or McClure?

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by Bruce King on July 20, 2011 at 7:57 PM
I love this shot Chris. It is very peaceful as others have said, but I really like the near to far perspective and the reflected light on the water is totally gorgeous. Nice.
Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments
Comment posted by Dan Roberts on July 20, 2011 at 8:17 PM
Lovely, moody image. The large version is awesome. They both work and have totally different moods. Knowing it is a sunset rather than a sun rise, the darker version fits better for me. Nicely done.
Registered on March 9, 2011, 69 Posts, 501 Comments
Comment posted by Vance Gese on July 21, 2011 at 12:40 AM
Phenomenal, Chris, without doubt a phenomenal image. The light and color are simply gorgeous. Your repost nails it and should make one stunning print.
Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Maile on July 21, 2011 at 12:30 PM
Wow, I can't believe I almost missed this Chris--I don't thin I've posted!! Superb, this is my favorite image of yours, and that's saying A LOT!! Absolute stunner, my type of photo--hell, should be anyone's type of photo.

:toast: :smile: Wow, great great job man!!
Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments
Comment posted by Gary McGhee on July 22, 2011 at 2:44 PM
Gorgeous light and colour Chris, love the reflected light in the wet sand too.

Gary.
Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments