Sunset over water

Gallery: Photo ArtPosted February 16, 2010156 views7 comments

I shot this on the old pier in Naples near sunset a couple of weeks ago. I experimented with some filters to moderate the stark contrast between the pier with the people and the bright sky. I am two minds about the results. I am not sure whether I like it and would appreciate some comments.

D300, 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6
1/60 sec at f/6.3
18 mm, EV 0
ISO 250

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by David W. Kelly on February 16, 2010 at 10:30 PM

Is this an HDR image it has that quality? Nice work.

Registered on October 7, 2005, 883 Posts, 6590 Comments

Comment posted by Hilke Breder on February 17, 2010 at 7:45 AM

Thanks. Not HDR. I brightened the image with Photoshop Curves and used a Topaz 3 Adjust filter "Psychedelic". I toned down the effects somewhat and adjusted the saturation. It amazed me how much of an HDR effect you can achieve with the Topaz filter. I am included another one using the same technique.

Registered on February 9, 2010, 10 Posts, 11 Comments

Comment posted by Hilke Breder on February 17, 2010 at 8:11 AM

Rather than uploading a second picture I should have given you the unprocessed image. Here it is.

Registered on February 9, 2010, 10 Posts, 11 Comments

Comment posted by Kathy Odiorne on February 17, 2010 at 1:08 PM

I like what you've done here. It had kind of a Norman Rockwell appeal.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 211 Posts, 1471 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on February 17, 2010 at 9:34 PM

Hilke,

I like the mood of this very much. My only real reservation is the amount of texture in the water. It seems a little dominating in the image to me. I might be inclined to blur it a touch. I like the color palette and the sunset very much and the figures are interesting to me.

Pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on February 18, 2010 at 3:53 AM

I think this had potential--the problem i have as i see it is that the balance in the lumnosity is off, which makes it somewhat disturbing to look at and it shouldnt disturb. The main issue is the water below the sun--its darker than the surrounding water and it should be the opposite. I think if you could resolve that, and crop some of the sky, it might work for me.

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Grubola on February 23, 2010 at 10:34 AM

HDR effect has great impact. I'd darken the edges, especially the top of the sky. Figures are so prominent yet so prosaic.

Registered on November 28, 2009, 0 Posts, 3 Comments