Posted by David Page on October 31, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Hello all,
Just wanted to post this pic to toot my own horn because after a few years of photography with the past year using digital allowing me to shoot more often (and with the additional help of NPN members), I think I got the hang of it. At least this week I do.
Anyways, after so many failures the successes for me are that much sweeter. Just wanted to share my excitement with those who know what I am talking about. This particular day I was attempting to compose a shot of the setting sun with not so ideal conditions. With my concentration towards the setting sun I had know idea what was going on behind me. It wasn’t until the sun completely set did I turn around to see this cloud formation and a sudden flash of the image I was going to make, final product and all popped into my head as if I knew what I was doing. To quickly see the image when time was crucial was definitely a first for me. Have I seen the light? Or is it just experience? I don’t know, but to have a flash pre-visualization of final image before I even open the shutter is very new to me. I guess, moments like these are why most of continue to photograph. To see beauty wherever we might be while capturing them on film and digital sensor is a very exciting adventure. Thanks for all the help.
Critiques, PP suggestions, etc. always greatly appreciated. Thanks and Happy Halloween!
- DMP
Sunset Cliffs Park at low tide.
Cannon EOS 50D
Lens focal length 14 mm (22.4 mm full frame digital sensor equivalent)
3 stop Reverse ND filter
f16 SS 8s
This came out very nice, David. I can see where your excitement is coming from on this well captured beach/seascape. Anyone living in So Cal would love to take in this view on any day. The projection of the coastline along with the placement of the cloud works excellent IMO. Technically the exposure with the use and placement of the grad looks to be pretty much dead on too.
I think on one of your posts you indicated you were not using PS. So, my only additional thoughts would be to use a technique that Tony Kuyper developed called luminosity painting in PS, it helps a lot with fine tuning & toning on some of the highs and lows. But, it too like a lot of things can be an experiment to see if it gives a look you would want, not always an improvement at times depending upon how it's used.
Posted by Lon Overacker on October 31, 2009 at 8:27 PM
David,
"I guess, moments like these are why most of continue to photograph. "
Is there any other reason??
This is a very pretty coastal image and it certainly does pay to keep your head on a swivel.
"I don’t know, but to have a flash pre-visualization of final image before I even open the shutter is very new to me."
Probably a thousand ways to say it, but it's a great feeling when you can recognize a good scene, great light or a great composition before actually take the picture. Now this isn't a cut on digital, nor meant to start anything, but for those starting out in photography today I think are at a disadvantage simply because they have the immediate feedback and don't rely on themselves to recognize whether or not you have a great image even before your capture. Hope that makes sense. And if you can learn that, or you've felt like a light has gone off for you - then that's fantastic and I'm really happy for you.
And just to let you in on a little secret.... it doesn't happen all the time, so cherish those moments.
Lon
Posted by Paul Duval on October 31, 2009 at 9:01 PM
Welcome to the fold David, sweet image, wonder what made you turn around 180 degrees from the "light" to get the light. Agree with Lon, doesn't happen all the time, but those times it does happen keeps us going, doesn't matter digital or film. An there is no substitute for experience, without it your eye's and brain will not be trained to see. And when you can "see" you will pre visualize. Excited for you David it's a culmalitive vision and now be prepared for it to happen agian. Keep shooting.
Paul
Posted by David Page on November 1, 2009 at 12:10 AM
Thanks Paul, Lon and Paul. Paul B. I am using PS now - and purchased Tony's tutorials, but still learning. Lon thanks for the film reference - since I used film for about 2 years before going digital and I do miss it's simplicity. Even when shooting digital I tend to shoot like I am using film (not that I don't preview my shots, etc.), but I still incorporate some of my film habits, i.e., exposure bracketing and trying my hardest to "see" before I start shooting. I do agree learning film is a big plus, but if you approach digital much like you approach film then that too can be a plus as well - hope that makes sense. Thanks again.
- DMP
Posted by Eric Good on November 1, 2009 at 4:07 PM
As you and the others have stated, immediately realizing an image is in front of you is a wonderful experience. I like the way the cloud shape mirrors the cliff face. Exposure and colors look good top to bottom. Well seen and captured!
Discussion
5 repliesJust wanted to post this pic to toot my own horn because after a few years of photography with the past year using digital allowing me to shoot more often (and with the additional help of NPN members), I think I got the hang of it. At least this week I do.
Anyways, after so many failures the successes for me are that much sweeter. Just wanted to share my excitement with those who know what I am talking about. This particular day I was attempting to compose a shot of the setting sun with not so ideal conditions. With my concentration towards the setting sun I had know idea what was going on behind me. It wasn’t until the sun completely set did I turn around to see this cloud formation and a sudden flash of the image I was going to make, final product and all popped into my head as if I knew what I was doing. To quickly see the image when time was crucial was definitely a first for me. Have I seen the light? Or is it just experience? I don’t know, but to have a flash pre-visualization of final image before I even open the shutter is very new to me. I guess, moments like these are why most of continue to photograph. To see beauty wherever we might be while capturing them on film and digital sensor is a very exciting adventure. Thanks for all the help.
Critiques, PP suggestions, etc. always greatly appreciated. Thanks and Happy Halloween!
- DMP
Sunset Cliffs Park at low tide.
Cannon EOS 50D
Lens focal length 14 mm (22.4 mm full frame digital sensor equivalent)
3 stop Reverse ND filter
f16 SS 8s
I think on one of your posts you indicated you were not using PS. So, my only additional thoughts would be to use a technique that Tony Kuyper developed called luminosity painting in PS, it helps a lot with fine tuning & toning on some of the highs and lows. But, it too like a lot of things can be an experiment to see if it gives a look you would want, not always an improvement at times depending upon how it's used.
"I guess, moments like these are why most of continue to photograph. "
Is there any other reason??
This is a very pretty coastal image and it certainly does pay to keep your head on a swivel.
"I don’t know, but to have a flash pre-visualization of final image before I even open the shutter is very new to me."
Probably a thousand ways to say it, but it's a great feeling when you can recognize a good scene, great light or a great composition before actually take the picture. Now this isn't a cut on digital, nor meant to start anything, but for those starting out in photography today I think are at a disadvantage simply because they have the immediate feedback and don't rely on themselves to recognize whether or not you have a great image even before your capture. Hope that makes sense. And if you can learn that, or you've felt like a light has gone off for you - then that's fantastic and I'm really happy for you.
And just to let you in on a little secret.... it doesn't happen all the time, so cherish those moments.
Lon
Paul
- DMP