Table Mountain

[Stu Bowie]

I havent followed any theme. I decided to experiment with one of the most photographed landscape subject in South Africa - Table Mountain from across the bay.

In Picasa 3, I ran a graduated tint on everything above the water, then moved it to CS4. I then ran it through photomatix and reduced the luminosity to -3. Ran NR on the sky, and smart sharpened the sea and mountain at 80%. Does this work?

[denise ippolito]

Stuart, Welcome! I think this is lovely and I can see why it is photographed so often.:) I think that the pp work came out really well. You might try to enlarge/expand the gradient look that you have started (on the horizon right) That creates a nice transition for the sky. Beautiful colors!

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack Denise. Ive been wanting to try something like this, so I will feel my way forward with help from pro's like you. Sometimes, my brain spins with all sorts of ideas, and often wonder if they will work on this site. I would hate to slap together a big mess.

[denise ippolito]

Stuart, I don't feel you are capable of a big mess. Feel free to post whatever you like here-no judgment(honest). We all bounce ideas and creative thoughts off each other and we all learn together along the way. That is why this Forum is so fun. I love that you included your workflow-it helps us all try to re-create this look on some of our own images.:)

[Cindy Mead]

a very other-worldy scene Stuart.. I like the tones and the ominous look to the sky :)

[Cheryl Slechta]

Stuart, it's a beautiful image. I love the contrast of the rather foreboding mountains and the gorgeous lighting on the waves. The mountains remind me of "Lord of the Rings".:)

[Indranil Sircar]

Very nice composition, Stuart. I like the colors. Agree with Denise, extending the gradient may provide a nicer transition. Very Martian like or may be District 9:p (too much scifi)

[Kerry Perkins]

Stuart, this is very nice and I like the moody colors you got! Composition is nice and draws the eye into the mountain in the distance. Could it benefit from just a smidgen of CCW rotation?

[Arthur Morris]

Odd man out again. I love the COMP and the subject matter and the look of the water but my mind just cannot make sense of the color of the sky (as it does not fit at all with the color and light on the water) if that makes any sense at all... :)

[Stu Bowie]

Thank you all for the great feedback. Much appreciated.

Artie, thanks for your honest ctritique too. I can see your train of thought, and maybe adding a tone to the sea would help overcome the difference between the sky and the sea.

[Arthur Morris]

Stuart, YAW. Thanks for being open :) Did you ever post a straight shot of this in Landsacpes? I would love to see it.

[Stu Bowie]

Artie, not yet. I have plenty of this setting, I will get around to posting one soon. I just felt like being creative before posting the real macoy. Cheers.

[Arthur Morris]

Hey, if you remember, pleae shoot me a link by e-mail when you post one. I don't get to landscapes often....

[Stu Bowie]

I certainly will.