Tidal Motion

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 15, 2014546 views9 comments

Sunrise light and wave motion in Tulum, Mexico, January 2014.

Tulum is one of my favorite areas in the Riviera Maya of Mexico. White sand beaches lined with coconut trees and very few people make it the perfect place for relaxation. The 80 degree water during the winter months is also a big attraction for people traveling from colder climates. Tulum is a great place for landscape photography with the colorful Caribbean water and vibrant sunrises.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 14-24mm at 14mm, no filters
2 image hand blend for dynamic range
1/50 sec at f/9, ISO 100 for the sky
1/4 sec at f/16, ISO 50 for the water/rocks

Thanks for any feedback or suggestions you have. Please check out the larger version.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on February 15, 2014 at 5:13 PM

I like the symmetry here and the movement you got on the water

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 15, 2014 at 5:31 PM

Hi Scott, This is very nice! The light and colors are wonderful and I love the water motion.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Chet Dowell on February 15, 2014 at 6:51 PM

Beautiful light and color Scott. Nice energy in the water and the light is very well presented. great work. Chet

Registered on December 3, 2012, 237 Posts, 1171 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Kearl on February 15, 2014 at 7:57 PM

I like the SS and the sunset.
I think toning down the brightest area in the water about mid scene would look good.

Registered on September 2, 2013, 209 Posts, 1514 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on February 15, 2014 at 11:41 PM

Very nice light on the foreground, Scott. I think the rather tame sky works very well here as it doesn't compete with the foreground for my attention, but instead compliments the warm and cool tones in the foreground water.

Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on February 16, 2014 at 5:43 PM

I just went for a bike ride in the 40 degree rain, so whatever Scott...

Joking aside, I'm not only envious of the warmth, but the image as well. I love the light spilling across the water, and for a mostly cloudless sky this works well.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on February 16, 2014 at 9:30 PM

Thank you to everyone for the comments.
Dan - I will try to burn down those hot highlights on the water a bit more. They are pretty close to being blown out so I'm not sure how much further I will be able to darken them before they start looking weird.
John - Ha ha! I went for a run yesterday and while I was running I really wished I was back in Mexico!

Registered on November 2, 2009, 161 Posts, 2143 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on February 17, 2014 at 9:42 AM

The wave action is great, Scott, and the colors wonderful. I fascinated with how the symmetrical comp. adds a sense of peaceful contemplation in the midst of the wave action.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on February 19, 2014 at 3:37 PM

A gorgeous seascape, Scott. Wonderful light, and the rocks add some interesting contrasting texture to the water. Very well done!

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments