I finally finished processing my coastal images from our trip. Now all that is left is the Columbia River Gorge waterfall shots. So here are some from the second batch:
Good stuff, Derek. I like the second Arch Rock shot, the gull is a nice catch. The Cape Perpetua shot is nice too. I bet that's a good hike.
The last Haceta Head shot is the winner for me. I bet you wrestled with those highlights in your processing. Too bad the lighthouse is occluded, you might miss it if you didn't know where this was shot. Nice drama to it though!
Great shots, Derek. Looking forward to the gorge shots.
Posted by Laurie Wendt on June 2, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Derek, These are great. I'd have to say my favorites are the first shot at Lone Ranch Beach and last lighthouse sunburst shot. I really didn't notice the lighthouse in it until I read Kalin's post. I guess I really like shots taken into the sun. Can you say exposure nightmare! I'd be really interested in how you managed it! Care to share?
I have actually not done a lot of shots like this before. But it was so amazing in person (better than the shot conveys) that I thought this would be a good chance to give it a go.
I basically shot at f11 with no filters and exposed for the sky straight into the sun. The clouds helped to provide a little filtering. But the sun was still very bright as you can see.
Looking back it would have been better to have taken multiple exposures (foreground, ocean, sky). But I didn't. So I basically used 'one' RAW file to create different exposures. Fortunately it wasn't too noisy when I pushed it for the foreground detail which was almost black in the original. Then I blended the exposures using layers in PS. Lastly I had to clean up some flaring in the foreground and a bit of CA from the glare on the water.
Overall it did take some time in PS. But I think it was well worth it. The original still looks alright. But I would rather have visible foreground as in this version. I would say the biggest challenge is flare and dynamic range. I don't know if a filter would have helped with the flaring or caused more. But I didn't want to take the chance and time was limited to get the shot.
One of the things that I think make Haceta Head one of the top icons for lighthouse images is the beauty of its surroundings. So yes, I wish a tree or two around it would be removed for better visibility. But even without the lighthouse the area is stunning. And the light just adds another cool visual elements to some truly awesome scenery.
I would have to say the PNW exceeded expectations in almost every way. I am very impressed with the photographic opportunities available. Within a two week period I had every kind of weather pattern I had hoped for (fog, sun, clouds, rain, etc...).
I have uploaded ~175 images so far and have just started processing the waterfall shots. So it hard to even share with everyone these images since there are so many I like. But as soon as I finish processing the falls I'll just post the link to the trip. I am sure you had a similar dilemma with your last trip to Antarctica/Patagonia. I sort of feel like I just gorged myself at the photographer's buffet.
Discussion
17 repliesLone Ranch Beach - Samuel Boardman SP:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/photos/304455655_pWyzd-XL.jpg
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/photos/304473110_DnXju-XL.jpg
Arch Rock - Samuel Boardman SP:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/photos/304663553_cyyqK-XL.jpg
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/photos/304640571_PMehW-XL.jpg
Cape Perpetua - lupine fields above the clouds:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/photos/304725275_nzJGG-XL.jpg
Yaquina Head lighthouse:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/photos/304884504_ELLw8-XL.jpg
Seal Rock tide pools:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/photos/304780842_jQJvn-XL.jpg
Haceta Head lighthouse sunburst - Shot in some pretty heavy rain:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/photos/305267085_Up4kx-XL.jpg
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/photos/305598432_FugLy-XL.jpg
This lightshow at Heceta Head was my last night on the coast and quite an awe inspiring experience.
The last Haceta Head shot is the winner for me. I bet you wrestled with those highlights in your processing. Too bad the lighthouse is occluded, you might miss it if you didn't know where this was shot. Nice drama to it though!
I have actually not done a lot of shots like this before. But it was so amazing in person (better than the shot conveys) that I thought this would be a good chance to give it a go.
I basically shot at f11 with no filters and exposed for the sky straight into the sun. The clouds helped to provide a little filtering. But the sun was still very bright as you can see.
Looking back it would have been better to have taken multiple exposures (foreground, ocean, sky). But I didn't. So I basically used 'one' RAW file to create different exposures. Fortunately it wasn't too noisy when I pushed it for the foreground detail which was almost black in the original. Then I blended the exposures using layers in PS. Lastly I had to clean up some flaring in the foreground and a bit of CA from the glare on the water.
Overall it did take some time in PS. But I think it was well worth it. The original still looks alright. But I would rather have visible foreground as in this version. I would say the biggest challenge is flare and dynamic range. I don't know if a filter would have helped with the flaring or caused more. But I didn't want to take the chance and time was limited to get the shot.
I hope this helps some.
One of the things that I think make Haceta Head one of the top icons for lighthouse images is the beauty of its surroundings. So yes, I wish a tree or two around it would be removed for better visibility. But even without the lighthouse the area is stunning. And the light just adds another cool visual elements to some truly awesome scenery.
Here is one in which the lighthouse was covered in fog. But I still liked it (although I was hoping for it to clear):
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/photos/304703973_d5Zf4-XL.jpg
And here are a couple from another day where the weather/clouds/fog just seemed to come together for better visibility of the light:
From the lookout:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/photos/301407744_dS8Mf-XL.jpg
From the bridge:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/photos/301407430_jVEBD-XL.jpg
All the shots of the sunburst were from the bridge. I like shooting from here and having the stream as a leading line. The beach below the lighthouse is another good place for unique comps.
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/photos/303331936_NyU9b-XL.jpg
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/photos/303813118_SkjVR-XL.jpg
I would have to say the PNW exceeded expectations in almost every way. I am very impressed with the photographic opportunities available. Within a two week period I had every kind of weather pattern I had hoped for (fog, sun, clouds, rain, etc...).
I have uploaded ~175 images so far and have just started processing the waterfall shots. So it hard to even share with everyone these images since there are so many I like. But as soon as I finish processing the falls I'll just post the link to the trip. I am sure you had a similar dilemma with your last trip to Antarctica/Patagonia. I sort of feel like I just gorged myself at the photographer's buffet.
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/Locations