This morning was a a stunning morning at Donna Nook.
The light was excellent just before and just after the sun came over the horizon. The trouble is that it became a hard fought excercise to keep some details in the shadows whilst not blowing the highlights. Natures morning for trashing photographers who don't know digital exposure latitude.
One of the first ones worked up. The spot meter reading was taken of the body of the seal and moved 3 stops down - hoping that the seals lighter bits just held. Any bright areas (like the shallow water reflections around the sand nodules just in front of seal ) where just let go
Obviously I have had to selectively lighten the seal (just a small bit) to get a some lighter defination back.
Posted by John Chapman on December 17, 2006 at 12:43 PM
Hi Tom
great capture with tricky lighting.
John
Aberdeen
Posted by Tim Munsey on December 17, 2006 at 1:18 PM
Looks like an amazing morning, the colours are positively volcanic. Hot stuff
Tim
Posted by Barrie Harwood on December 17, 2006 at 1:25 PM
Interesting photo Tom though personally I'd crop off the dark strip at the bottom as I think it distracts too much from the focal point
Stunning idea Tom, agree with the crop suggestion, I guess you know I'm going to mention it, but the work lightening the seal is a little bit obvious to me, perhaps, not too sure here, a little bit more contrast to the lightened area.
The best bit about the day was I took the flashgun and Better Beamer out of the bag before I left the car as I was bring the 617 out with me. I subsequently forgot to bring the 617 viewfinder for it was in my other jacket just as well it has a wide view - and I ain't going to mention the spotmeter that remained snug and warm at home.
I'm going to have another go at this tonight to see if I can avoid doing anything selectively.
OK, finally, worked this up on a color calibrated monitor at home, no selective alterations at all, in fact all alterations where acheived in the RAW processing software other than cloning out a dust spot. Sky is now the right color.
Repost looks better to me, however I am not keen on the frame (but that is a personal thing and not really a nit) what a difference a bit of calibration gives.
Posted by John Lee on December 19, 2006 at 3:28 PM
Not sure on this one Tom. Like the second exposure better but find that the seal lacks any detail and could be a round rock on the beach. I personally like the detail in the seal on the first image and would try to get that detail in the seal on the second image. On the other hand it may be that i just have a lousy monitor
Discussion
14 repliesThe light was excellent just before and just after the sun came over the horizon. The trouble is that it became a hard fought excercise to keep some details in the shadows whilst not blowing the highlights. Natures morning for trashing photographers who don't know digital exposure latitude.
One of the first ones worked up. The spot meter reading was taken of the body of the seal and moved 3 stops down - hoping that the seals lighter bits just held. Any bright areas (like the shallow water reflections around the sand nodules just in front of seal ) where just let go
Obviously I have had to selectively lighten the seal (just a small bit) to get a some lighter defination back.
great capture with tricky lighting.
John
Aberdeen
Tim
Barrie
dennis
Graeme
Well worth the effort though.
The best bit about the day was I took the flashgun and Better Beamer out of the bag before I left the car
I'm going to have another go at this tonight to see if I can avoid doing anything selectively.
Phillip.
Repost looks better to me, however I am not keen on the frame (but that is a personal thing and not really a nit) what a difference a bit of calibration gives.
Regards
John Lee