Secret's Afterglow [+edit]

That's some beautiful light and the clouds fill the sky very evenly which is a bonus. The water motion has a soothing feel which suits the atmosphere well. Compositionally it seems a but less coherent than your best, somehow the the bottom of the frame seems truncated and I keep wishing to see more below.

John, I am more than satisfied with The color and composition. If the colors are too rich, all that is required of the viewer is the suspension of belief. That is the basis of most art and all movies! I do think as Kah Kit does about the bottom, particularly the truncated receding wave you blended in.

Beautiful sunset in a wonderful spot. I think you pretty much nailed it. I agree with the others, the bottom left would have been better if the arc of the receding surf was complete. Really good as is

My only criticism is that I'd like to see the full curve of the water rushing in at the lower right. I'm guessing that the location you were shootng from didn't allow for a longer view. Other than that, simply beautiful John, with awesome light and your usual stellar processing!

Beautiful light, lovely motion, amazing sky, and intoxicating catch lights in the clouds... magnificent !

John, this is a beautiful image. My eyes also follow the wave in the lower left and find it a bit cut off, but I don't think this detracts much from the image. Great color, contrast, and composition.

Beautiful light and colors. I alos love the cloud pattern in the sky which makes the sky interesting to look at. I love it as is and I thin it's a gorgeous image. The only minor nit is curve of the receding wave...I'd wish this wave is complete. Beautiful image

Outstanding work John both in comp and processing. What a sky

Interesting. The cut-off water didn't bug me that much. On the other hand 6 out of 8 above noted it (and the others may be avoiding hammering the point home ), and the main reason I post here is for such feedback. Since the foreground was a bit of subterfuge anyway, how's this version? (Besides the foreground, I've made a couple of other small tweaks.)

I have to say that the original composition seems more balanced; it works better for me than the second. Since there's no one foreground element, it's the balance that has to work. I've no trouble with the break in the curve of the wave - my mind's eye still sees the full curve. Goes withoug saying that the colors are a knockout!

I disagree with Daniel, but we all have our opinions. The second version seems more cohesive and complete, as well as more balanced, IMO. Much better for me John!

Amazing sky; love the textures and the colors look like a rainbow supernova. My preference is for the re-post.

Repost much better IMO

Well, this one gets an, "Oh, Mommy!", John. Gorgeous light, color, and such a well thought out comp. Superb in every respect.

John, I thought I'd commented on this already, but clearly not. I liked the original and wasn't bothered by the cut off water, since it seemed to me that a key feature was the incoming wave. The light in the sky is tremendous and I sure do like the scattering of sea stacks through the foreground. Now that I see the repost, I prefer it, as that tongue of receding water is a great addition to the llc area and it provides some extra visual balance to the sun.

Beautiful colors in this one, John.

Honestly, I believe they are both extraordinary images, with each telling a slightly different story, both balanced and successful given the slightly different focuses and emphases.

If I had to choose, well, I'd choose the first one. I just prefer this image's emphasis, and also the softer contrast and subtler, slightly understated tonalities, kind of bringing to life very nicely, at least imo, the atmospheric qualities and feeling of this overall beach sunset scene. I guess if you wanted the story to be a little more about the ocean, stacks and sunset, placed in context, and include more foreground, then the second would be better for this story, but to me there's just something slightly more compelling about the first composition.

Incredible work!

Stunning scene and colors John. I think I like the tones in the second and the comp from the first. The wave in the second pulls my eyes down. Super image and beautifully processed.

super seascape shot

I'll take the second one. The cut-off edge of the surf is really a very minor issue given the overall strength of the image, but if I'm given a choice I'll take the one where the line of the surf on the beach is complete. Both versions are fantastic.

Stunning light and colour in this John, compositionally I prefer the repost.

Gary.

Wonderful. What a quiet and pleasing feel this has for me. Love the light and beautiful soft color. I like the mood of the first one better and the comp better in the repost. Really nice work John!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Hi john I love the beautiful light in this magical scene. i prefer the second version. but croped tight to the edge of the wave
Albert Darmo
Canada

Mmm, yeah, I like this one better due to the softer light. This is easily my favorite beach in Oregon. We came here the night after you; for this sunset we were up at Bandon Beach and came away with some great shots. What a sunset that night! I've struggled to capture a really solid image from Secret Beach - very difficult conditions. This is one of the best I've seen. Almost feel like you're in the South Pacific.... We often sit on that foreground formation and watch the waves roll in, occasionally with the company of sea lions. Great shot!