Posted by Doug Koepsel on September 16, 2010 at 7:52 PM
Guess one can cross my name off the list of those who have not been to the Wave in NCB, as I was able to hike in yesterday. From seeing previous photos of the wave, I was most interested in getting images of the Second Wave before the sun went behind the ridge.
Any helpful comments about composition and editng are welcome.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on September 16, 2010 at 7:53 PM
#2 Another from above.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on September 16, 2010 at 7:57 PM
#3
A low perspective in the wave itself around noontime
Posted by Doug Koepsel on September 16, 2010 at 8:06 PM
#4
I believe this is the same spot with the nice back wall aglow that CAZ posted. I need to remember to bring a small broom to brush out all the footmarks in the sand.
Posted by John Mumaw on September 16, 2010 at 8:12 PM
Congratulations on losing your cherry!
Did you have any company?
You must have arrived back at your vehicle near dark, eh?
I really like #2 & #3 a lot. #1 is somewhat spoiled by the jet contrails, though. Removing them would be a real asset, IMO.
Naturally, I have a couple of minor suggestions for the others.
In the lower sandstone striations of #2 in the shadows, there appears to be a small bright stick lying perpendicular to the 'waves' there (evident in #1, as well).
I know that it's a piece of lit sandstone, but it grabs my eye. I would lose it if I were you.
#3 could use a slight Levels adjustment (white slider left). Then try that 'Image Polish' method I've told you about before. It really works well here.
Again, congratulations on making the hike and getting some great shots!
*Edit*
Ah, you were still posting! I really like the vertical comp. you chose with #4. Once again, the 'Image Polish' trick works a treat here.
Posted by Morris McClung on September 16, 2010 at 8:59 PM
That is some fine work for your first visit there! All of them are excellent!
Posted by Todd Caudle on September 16, 2010 at 10:32 PM
I like that 4th one a lot, too. And I agree that those contrails need to go bye-bye.
Posted by Stan Rose on September 17, 2010 at 2:38 AM
Great stuff--really like 2 & 3!
Posted by Paul Wegemann on September 17, 2010 at 7:47 AM
2, 3, and 4 for me, with #4 being my favorite of this group. Nice work, Doug.
Posted by John McMillin on September 17, 2010 at 9:09 AM
The contrails may be unnatural, but on an abstract level they add a nice straight-line juxtaposition to the sweeping curves of the rocks below.
Posted by Jack Garrett on September 17, 2010 at 9:26 AM
Very nice captures!! I'm still on the list of those who haven't been there.. John, what is the image polish thing you are talking about?
2-4 are outstanding and +1 on the contrails. It's funny that we used to throw away slides with contrails, eh?
BTW, I've never been to the wave.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on September 17, 2010 at 11:10 AM
Thanks.
It was hard not to go into overload and photo everything since the area is quite interesting. Getting better at saying "nah" to "just nice" stuff in the middle of the day. I think #2 may be the best of the day to me.
John, I went back and "polished" those posted here and on the rest that I posted on my smugmug gallery. Gives them a lot of pop.
We did not make it over to the Boneyard, so maybe next trip.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on September 17, 2010 at 11:15 AM
Jack,
This is what John posted about "Image Polish". I have also tried a smaller amount with r=70.
Finally, this image is ripe for a step I use called 'Image Polish'.
Set your Unsharp Mask filter to:
Amount-20
Radius-50
Threshold-0.
This doesn't sharpen the image at all, but instead cuts through the 'haze' using a local contrast enhancement. Note that any areas on the verge of overexposure will be pushed over that edge using this technique.
Nice work Doug! It looks like you had the same great light that René and I did.
Looking at your shots makes me with we had stuck around until sunset for the second wave shot too. I guess I'll just have to keep entering the lottery until I get a permit to go back.
As for those footprints, I used the fleece I was carrying to brush out the big ones. From there the brutal wind did the rest in short order.
Thanks for posting!
Posted by Neil Corman on September 17, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Nice pics of the I also have not been to that location.
I believe the pics with the contrails tell a story of what most people miss as they fly over the region and could be marketed in that manner. However if you want a pure nature shot then they may need to go.
I would not however use the same image with and without the contrails.
Posted by Kurt Bowman on September 17, 2010 at 12:39 PM
Great stuff Doug! I like 3 and 4 the best, but also like #2 quite a bit.
Posted by Brian Jackson on September 17, 2010 at 2:19 PM
A great collection.
Posted by Jeff Hackett on September 17, 2010 at 8:05 PM
#'s 2,3 and 4 for me. Spectacular place! I really have got to try and get back there.
Posted by Dean Sauskojus on September 18, 2010 at 1:14 AM
Don't usually see this as a pan. I really like that one!
Discussion
20 repliesAny helpful comments about composition and editng are welcome.
A low perspective in the wave itself around noontime
I believe this is the same spot with the nice back wall aglow that CAZ posted. I need to remember to bring a small broom to brush out all the footmarks in the sand.
Did you have any company?
You must have arrived back at your vehicle near dark, eh?
I really like #2 & #3 a lot. #1 is somewhat spoiled by the jet contrails, though. Removing them would be a real asset, IMO.
Naturally, I have a couple of minor suggestions for the others.
In the lower sandstone striations of #2 in the shadows, there appears to be a small bright stick lying perpendicular to the 'waves' there (evident in #1, as well).
I know that it's a piece of lit sandstone, but it grabs my eye. I would lose it if I were you.
#3 could use a slight Levels adjustment (white slider left). Then try that 'Image Polish' method I've told you about before. It really works well here.
Again, congratulations on making the hike and getting some great shots!
*Edit*
Ah, you were still posting! I really like the vertical comp. you chose with #4. Once again, the 'Image Polish' trick works a treat here.
BTW, I've never been to the wave.
It was hard not to go into overload and photo everything since the area is quite interesting. Getting better at saying "nah" to "just nice" stuff in the middle of the day. I think #2 may be the best of the day to me.
John, I went back and "polished" those posted here and on the rest that I posted on my smugmug gallery. Gives them a lot of pop.
We did not make it over to the Boneyard, so maybe next trip.
This is what John posted about "Image Polish". I have also tried a smaller amount with r=70.
Finally, this image is ripe for a step I use called 'Image Polish'.
Set your Unsharp Mask filter to:
Amount-20
Radius-50
Threshold-0.
This doesn't sharpen the image at all, but instead cuts through the 'haze' using a local contrast enhancement. Note that any areas on the verge of overexposure will be pushed over that edge using this technique.
Looking at your shots makes me with we had stuck around until sunset for the second wave shot too. I guess I'll just have to keep entering the lottery until I get a permit to go back.
As for those footprints, I used the fleece I was carrying to brush out the big ones. From there the brutal wind did the rest in short order.
Thanks for posting!
I believe the pics with the contrails tell a story of what most people miss as they fly over the region and could be marketed in that manner. However if you want a pure nature shot then they may need to go.
I would not however use the same image with and without the contrails.