Seascape-eager to learn

[Julie Brown]

Canon 5D MK II, 24-105mm @ 105mm, ISO 200, 1/20sec @ f16, 0EV, pattern metering, tripod, cable release

This image (RAW file) is minimally processed-I don't want to spend more time on it if it can't be improved. I set the black and white points in Lightroom and bumped up clarity and vibrance a bit. I also had to clone out a big smear on the sensor. I'm not sure about the composition, and I don't know what to do about the flat sky-the fog was rolling in that morning. :confused:

any advice would be appreciated!:)

[Lance Peters]

Hi Julie - will reserve my comments and let our fellow BPN'ers jump in first - will be back later to give my thoughts.

[Colin Knight]

Can you bring back the sky any? I'm thinking you can't. As such, I would be interested to see what you could do with a black and white version?

[Julie Brown]

There is a slight line of clouds in the sky that I didn't notice before, so maybe I could get something from that. Good idea about converting to B&W. I will have to try that.:)

[Alfred Forns]

Waiting for some comments also !!!

[William Malacarne]

I selected everything above the foreground grass and ran a levels on it. It was a very quick and dirty job, should probably come out ok with using the RAW file.

Bill

[Kerry Perkins]

Hi Julie - this is a nice spot just north of the Bixby bridge! I would be tempted to include all of the bridge or none of it, as the tease is just too much for me!! ;) The biggest issue I see is that the fog is crushing the dynamic range while not really appearing as fog, if you know what I mean... The contrast boost added by Bill helps, but then I think it needs a crop off the top to make it all about the water crashing and the grass. I think the eye gets lost at the upper fourth of the image, where the sky just sort of makes a "white-out". Also would be tempted to clone out the bush and green thing in the LLC.

[Ian McHenry]

Hi Julie
I love seascapes and your's is a beauty.
Found little bush a bit distracting and as my eye was drawn to the sea rocks on the right decided to remove bush.
Steps: Topaz Detail 2;Dynamic Range Equalisation (preset)
Auto Color Correction
Color Variations: Darkened Highlights
30% sharpened.
Cheers: Ian Mc

[Julie Brown]

Thanks to all of you for the very helpful comments. As I read each one, I became more encouraged that this image had some redeemable qualities. Bill, your repost with the contrast bump was a great improvement. Ian, I appreciate the time you put into your repost-it looks fantastic! I will go back to the image and see if I have the skills to get a result close to this.:)