May 2023 - Blockhouse Point Lighthouse, Prince Edward Island Canada
About the Image(s)
Canon EOS 5D MKII
Lens: 70-200mm
Shot at 70 mm at 1/30 sec, F/16, ISO 200, Aperture priority, spot metering
Software: Photomatix HDR software, Photoshop
This image is a composite of three images which I took in early October 2011 of the Blockhouse Point Lighthouse in Prince Edward Island Canada. My goal was to capture a night scene with the green light beam shinning on the water. I scouted the area the day before to know where I wanted to set up my tripod when arriving at 0500 the next day, in the dark on a windy morning. Unfortunately, at the time of my arrival at 0500, I had to wait for a cruise ship to pass which was in the path of the scene I was trying to capture, so by the time the ship had passed, I lost the light I wanted to shoot in. I took many sets of three bracketed images at different exposure settings, settling on -2, 0, and +1 and processed the bracketed set in HDR software. Then I further processed the final image in CS5 Photoshop. I’m not very skilled at using either software, and played around with different sets over the years trying to achieve an outcome I was excited about. I settled on this final image earlier this year which I’m pretty satisfied with now, but feel it is somewhat lacking and still does not “Pop”. I would appreciate feedback on what parts of the image (composition, color, exposure, processing technics, etc.) you think can be improved, and how to make the improvement. I now subscribe to Photoshop/light room classic, and I’m still learning how to use this software. I would consider feedback to re-process the image using this updated software.
This round’s discussion is now closed! 12 comments posted
Sylvia Williams
This is gorgeous! I would love to see the three images you put together - you certainly have more skill than me. Posted: 05/09/2023 19:08:49
Jim Overfield
Thank you for your kind words Sylvia. I certainly don't consider myself any more skilled than the next photographer, possibly less so than most. That's the primary reason for me to join this forum, a place of learning and receiving feedback from others that may help me improve. I had little time to learn post processing software while employed and now that I'm retired, I struggle to keep ahead of post processing software advancements. Positive comments are great, but any critique of my image will be even more appreciated. I'll see if I'm able to add the three images you requested. Thanks again. Posted: 05/09/2023 21:06:47
Jim Overfield
The exposure settings for the three images I chose were incorrectly noted in my comments above; they were actually -1.5, +1 and +2. Don't know if I was successful uploading my three images. Posted: 05/09/2023 21:26:22
Jim Overfield
Posted: 05/09/2023 21:26:54
Jim Overfield
Posted: 05/09/2023 21:27:10
Sabine Nehls
This is a well composed image. The lighthouse is in the strong point. The view goes from left directly to the main object. The morning mood is well captured, the image processing was successful. Great photo!
There is one thing I noticed. Since the light comes from behind, the front of the trees should be a little bit darker.
I made a small change to your image hope you don't mind my suggestion.
Posted: 05/15/2023 02:55:30
Jim Overfield
My apologies Sabine. I just returned from a 7 day, unplanned trip to the states and have some time now to respond to your comments. Thank you for your kind words. Over the past years, I have worked on images from a different set of three bracketed exposures and always emphasized the foreground. In doing so, I missed altogether any consideration of the light originating from the right side of the image. This is very helpful feedback and I'm looking forward to revisiting/reworking this image taking your comments into consideration. Thanks again. Posted: 05/23/2023 12:52:31
Sabine Nehls
Posted: 05/15/2023 02:57:35
Yvonne Cary Carter
This is a very inviting and vibrant photo. I'm not advanced enough technically to give you advice in that department. Looks like the composite added rich colors and detail. Thank you for sharing your technique. Beautiful landscape! Posted: 05/16/2023 09:22:32
Jim Overfield
Thank you Yvonne. I hope the details provided were helpful in some way to your work. Posted: 05/23/2023 12:16:56
Douglas Gerdts
I'm not at the place to comment on any of the technical aspects -- and am impressed that you scouted locations and were out at sunrise to get the shot.
I'm also a sucker for a lighthouse so you had me at that! Posted: 05/21/2023 08:40:45
Jim Overfield
Thanks Douglas, scouting saves valuable set-up time for me when arriving on the day of the shoot. Comments are welcome from anyone, regardless of their background/experience. Sometimes it's those comments made from a different perspective than my own that are the most insightful. Posted: 05/23/2023 12:31:31
