First Encounter Beach Sunset 2

[Richard Lovison]

Equipment Used:

Olympus E-3
Digital Zuiko 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 @17mm
1/50th sec @ f6.3
WB 5300K
RAW
ISO 100
Tripod

Post Processing:

CS2 motion blur filter to soften the water a bit more, levels and contrast adjustments, Nik tonal contrast adjustment and sharpening.

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copyright © reserved 2010-2011, Richard Lovison

[Dave Mills]

Hi Richard, I like the effect you put on the water which adds a pleasing softness. The offset sun placement is good along with the added interest of the distant birds. You handled the sun well with a nice color bounce in the clouds. If this were mine I would crop the sky down to a bit above the middle opening on the rt.

[Nick Palmieri]

Agree with Dave about the crop. Really love the colors and the effect on the water. TFS.

[dankearl]

I like the full photo, the clouds give it room and depth to me.
I would not crop it.
The water is really well done.

[Tim Munsey]

Lovely shot, agree with crop.

Tim

[Richard Lovison]

Thanks to everyone for your kind words and suggestion.

OK, here's the crop though I'm on the fence whether I like it better or not. I see how it puts the sun squarely in the power position though I'm not so sure I like the ratio of water to sky and the sky seems out of balance from left to right now.

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copyright © reserved 2011, Richard Lovison

[Richard Lovison]

Maybe just a slight crop?

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copyright © reserved 2011, Richard Lovison

[Dave Mills]

Hi Richard, I'll go with my original suggestion which is your first repost. The comp is made up of 1/3rd water and 2/3rds sky. Good balance compositionally since the sky has enough interest to carry it...

[Robert Amoruso]

Richard,

If it were mine, I would not want the birds in it. My preference is for well defined outlines (head, wings) even if at a distance.

[Richard Lovison]

Richard,

If it were mine, I would not want the birds in it. My preference is for well defined outlines (head, wings) even if at a distance.

Thanks for the input Robert. I wondered about that... whether the birds would be desirable or not since they were so small and slightly blurred. It bothered me slightly especially in this small presentation. I have another image without them taken just a moment before that I will now probably use instead.

Richard

[Andrew McLachlan]

Hi Richard, I like your first crop based on Dave's comments. Wonderful colors and nice blur to the water. I think I would also go with the image without the birds. Nice work!

[Hilary Hann]

I prefer the 1st repost with the crop and think an image without birds would be stronger. But lovely water and sky, very beautiful.

[Richard Lovison]

Thanks to all for taking the time to look and offer your suggestions and comments. I learned a great deal with this one. Here is the last re-post utilizing everyone's suggestions. This image was taken shortly before the original image. I hope I make everyone proud. :S3:

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copyright © reserved 2011, Richard Lovison

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Richard,
Dang......I didn't look all the way down before I took your op in PS! I think these are all strong......I like them all! It is a nice luxury to have the ability to crop an image in many places to taste......so go with what floats your boat (bad pun.....I know). I went for more of a pno on the op.....eliminating the brighter blue in the water. Pane #13 post takes care of that.....without a crop.....so I would go with that one! Very nicely done!:cheers:

[Brendan Dozier]

Richard, very nice image, and really like your treatment of the water in this. The crop and removing birds definitely made a nice improvement. Well done!