The Bulls Refuge

Gallery: LandscapePosted July 30, 2013744 views24 comments

A small sea cave on El Matador beach in Malibu, Ca during a low tide sunset. Have had this one sitting around for awhile. Never really thought it was much, but after doing another round of processing on it, I'm pretty fond of it. Like it?

Three exposures for dynamic control and focus blend.

Comments

24 comments

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on July 30, 2013 at 8:42 PM

The deep shadows provide nice counterbalance to the bright reflected light on the cave and further enhance the mood. I think that it's an illusion but this has the feel of a tilted horizon. Otherwise this is very nicely done.

Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments

Comment posted by Neale Dyster on July 30, 2013 at 9:10 PM

Well worth spending the time on Ted, I do like it.
Agree with Brian though, about a perceived tilt.

Registered on February 19, 2008, 94 Posts, 738 Comments

Comment posted by Ted Gore on July 30, 2013 at 9:32 PM

yeah, I figured someone would mention that. The horizon is straight, but yeah, it looks crooked. Should I go for visually straight, or reality straight?

Registered on April 25, 2013, 36 Posts, 149 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Turner on July 30, 2013 at 9:41 PM

Visually straight. Great comp and process.

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by Navin Sarma on July 30, 2013 at 9:42 PM

sick light... i love it ted, no nits.

Registered on July 17, 2011, 233 Posts, 1373 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on July 30, 2013 at 9:45 PM

Ted, go get this shot when the getting is good. Figure the tides and get some awesome foreground in here and this is going to be totally awesome! It's not there yet IMO. The foreground is lacking but this is a solid first scout.

Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on July 30, 2013 at 9:58 PM

Really great light in that cave, Ted. I agree with Marc - the foreground is rather empty. Either get it with a nice tide, or crop the bottom 20%.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Jared Warren on July 30, 2013 at 10:29 PM

I like it a lot. The light and rock detail are awesome. As has been mentioned, if you can work in some interesting foreground this will be really special. I'm really enjoying your work.

Registered on May 11, 2012, 84 Posts, 931 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on July 30, 2013 at 10:42 PM

I like it!

Ted, you do motion graphics ?

Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on July 30, 2013 at 11:23 PM

Very cool spot. Motion in the water as said would be fun, though im sure scary as f#@%

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by Ted Gore on July 31, 2013 at 1:11 AM

Thanks for the feedback! I'll have to give this another go. Getting here when the tide is right is tricky, for sure and will probably take me quite awhile to nail. Was actually liking the subtle texture of the water in the foreground here, but I guess that's just me. I do agree, some dynamic water action will be better.

Matt, yes I do! How did you know?

Registered on April 25, 2013, 36 Posts, 149 Comments

Comment posted by David Edwards on July 31, 2013 at 4:37 AM

This is pretty cool Ted. The first thing I noticed was the intensity of the light and color on the rocks in the cave compared to the source outside. Seems quite subtle outside, but so strong inside the cave?

Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on July 31, 2013 at 12:22 PM

Real nice! Great job on the processing. It looks quite good on dynamic range with no HDR look.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by James Fougère on July 31, 2013 at 3:55 PM

Great location!! some wave action would just be what you need

Registered on October 25, 2010, 41 Posts, 831 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on July 31, 2013 at 5:53 PM

I like Marc's suggestion. But, it still is an achievement as is.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on July 31, 2013 at 6:56 PM

Beautiful rim lighting and composition. Now if you just had something in the lower 1/3.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Reid on August 1, 2013 at 9:36 AM

Beautiful light in the cave and nice composition. I agree about the foreground but really nice as it is. Nice processing on this Ted.

Registered on January 27, 2013, 65 Posts, 2460 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on August 1, 2013 at 1:59 PM

Very cool image Ted. I really like the colors and mood. I agree with Floris about cropping off a bit from the bottom.

Registered on November 2, 2009, 161 Posts, 2143 Comments

Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on August 1, 2013 at 6:47 PM

Very nicely done. Great light, too. I've been to El Matador a few times, but never spent any time in the caves. Does the photo make the cave look larger than it actually is?

Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments

Comment posted by Ted Gore on August 1, 2013 at 7:44 PM

Hey Rudy, I'm not really sure. There isn't much in here for scale reference, but you can stand in this cave completely upright, no problem. I think that tallest rock on the ground is probably about chest high.

Registered on April 25, 2013, 36 Posts, 149 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on August 1, 2013 at 10:11 PM

I could use your help! ( matt@commercialfineart.com )
By the way, you've nailed the light on this one. Love it.
I don't think I would crop it. One could take liberty and brush in softlight reflections into the lower third for more interest-just sayin'. (done with a delicate painters hand ;) )

Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments

Comment posted by Kane Engelbert on August 1, 2013 at 11:01 PM

Ted, I absolutely love this image. Super contrasty and emotional and the light has been harnessed VERY well with your blend. Splendid.

Registered on June 14, 2009, 63 Posts, 291 Comments

Comment posted by Ted Gore on August 2, 2013 at 1:35 AM

Thank you Kane!

Matt, can you explain 'softlight reflections'? Not sure what that is.

And I'll email you about mographics.

Registered on April 25, 2013, 36 Posts, 149 Comments

Comment posted by Kory Lidstrom on August 4, 2013 at 2:22 PM

I love the top two thirds, but the bottom is too much negative space for my tastes, Can you get it with some frothy water there?

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