Cane Bay Explosion

Gallery: LandscapePosted March 20, 2011205 views12 comments

Here's another one from St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.

This was made at Cane Bay, a gorgeous bay on the north side of the island. I spent 17 different sunsets patiently waiting for just the right clouds that would fill the sky. It was not easy: since this comp has so much sky, most days it wasn't even close to what I wanted. This was the best I could get. Not perfect -- I would've liked that blank spot in the URC to have a cloud -- but that's nature for you.

Why didn't I keep going back? Because, one day, the currents must've changed or something and the entire beach, and all the tidepools, was completely buried in sand, and has remained so for the past six weeks. So, this shot isn't even possible anymore. One day, things will change again and the tidepools will be back, but it's anyone's guess when that will be.

5DMK2, 16mm, f/16, ISO 100, two exposured hand blended, one at 1/10th and one at 1/2 second

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on March 20, 2011 at 2:48 PM

What a place to spend 17 days, sunsets or not! All you can do is show up and be ready, we know nature doesn't always cooperate. I might crop to just above the tree, even though a liitle cloud is lost. Perhaps a little more color of the cloud could be brought out with selective processing? Nice job.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on March 20, 2011 at 4:14 PM

Kory, This is really pretty! Looks like a wonderful place to wait for sunsets too. I like your comp in this with the small pools and reflections in them. The sky with the palm trees and clouds is beautiful. I love the colors here. Nice work!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Koveh Tavakkol on March 20, 2011 at 4:25 PM

A beautiful shot Kory. My only recommendation would be to try to make the reflections of the sky in those foreground pools a bit brighter so they pop out a little more.

Registered on September 1, 2009, 41 Posts, 608 Comments

Comment posted by Kenn Leonhardt on March 20, 2011 at 8:30 PM

Persistence paid off, and the composition is nicely balanced. I concur with Koveh's recommendation to try to get those pools to pop a little more, but it shouldn't be much of an adjustment.

Registered on March 29, 2008, 27 Posts, 1710 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on March 20, 2011 at 8:34 PM

I think this is just beautiful Kory. The beauty of the islands!

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by John Mumaw on March 20, 2011 at 9:03 PM

Idyllic island scenery well composed and captured.

Registered on September 9, 2005, 62 Posts, 2289 Comments

Comment posted by Kory Lidstrom on March 21, 2011 at 11:25 AM

Thanks, all. I've thought about making those pools a bit brighter, but worried that it might not look natural. Maybe I'll rework it when I have the time.

Registered on November 19, 2008, 49 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on March 21, 2011 at 8:54 PM

What a lovely location and image. I think you could crop a bit from the left and from the top. That would minimize the blank spot that you don't like and I don't think it takes away any of the strong points, like the reflections or the colorful clouds.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on March 21, 2011 at 8:55 PM

Wow. This is a very pretty image Kory. I might humbly suggest lightening the foreground and middle just a bit. Exceptional work!

Michael

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on March 21, 2011 at 10:18 PM

I think this turned out very nice! I like it dark, but imagine a little mbrighter would look good too. If you wanted to reduce the size of the open sky in the upper left, you could crop a bit off the left and top. I don't think it's a problem though.

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Kory Lidstrom on March 22, 2011 at 11:40 AM

Thanks again, all. Yes, I *could* crop out some of that sky. But, I recently put on a solo show here, and wanted all my works at the show to be 3:2 ratio, so that's why I left it. But, yes, for future sales I may just crop it as you've all suggested.

Registered on November 19, 2008, 49 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on March 22, 2011 at 1:58 PM

Beautiful shot Kory! Love the palm trees and the color in the sky. I would agree with those who said bring up the foreground a bit. Lovely image.

Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments