Bob Legg
May 2020 - Sunset "WOW!" image
Original 1
Original 2
About the Image(s)
Image was taken down in St Augstine Beach FL in Feb of 2018. It was my last night and it was cloudy (First Image enclosed also). Just to prove the adage that if you leave your location before sunset is over you will see this in your rearview mirror. Fortunately I did not leave and had plenty of opportunity to shoot many versions as the sunset progressed.
"Sunset NOT Wow" image was 9 minutes after my first image and then 14 minutes and 33 images before "Sunset WOW” reached what I think was the peak. Titled “St Augustine Beach WOW Sunset”. And Yes I shot another 20 images before calling it quits. 20 minutes after the sun had set. ISO of 560, f11, 1/90 sec -.5 ev at 16mm on my Nikon 16-35mm lens on D750. Processed in Luminar using Sky and Structure Filters.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
10 comments posted
Bob, I LOVE your sunset WOW picture, especially the sky! Your adage is correct - leave too early and it is in your review mirror! My only problem is my eyes can't decide what pier to go to and rest on. They keep going back and forth. I like the pier on the right the best as it is the original, and I see your need to have something in the great expanse on the left.
The section of impact for me is the pier on the right and a crop before the pier on the left. That brings that amazing section of sunset up close and personal and the pier on the right (see below). The reflection of the sky in the water just has a larger impact on me. But either way it is an amazing shot and having the sequence of sky events is really neat as well. Posted: 05/06/2020 08:50:18
The section of impact for me is the pier on the right and a crop before the pier on the left. That brings that amazing section of sunset up close and personal and the pier on the right (see below). The reflection of the sky in the water just has a larger impact on me. But either way it is an amazing shot and having the sequence of sky events is really neat as well. Posted: 05/06/2020 08:50:18
(Group 41)
Bob, I agree with Jeri that there is too much in the original and my attention oscillates between the two piers. The original sunset is lovely and I am particularly drawn to the reflections in the foreground. There is much to be said for the old adage 'Less is More' and the image above with the single pier is a winner. You did well to record 53 images during this session. The problem I find is that they look good at the time but others look better later, and it is often difficult to decide which one is the best. Posted: 05/08/2020 11:28:44
I can see this a puzzle! It would drive the puzzle worker crazy, but I would love to give it a try :-)
Posted: 05/06/2020 08:51:44
Posted: 05/06/2020 08:51:44
(Group 41)
Jeri, Talking of puzzles, I made the mistake recently of starting a jigsaw. It is 1,000 pieces of Waterloo Station 1848-1948. The jigsaw has a top half (1848) and a bottom half (1948) where the artist has made subtle changes to the people in both halves. To say it is a challenge is an understatement! It is about 90% finished and I shall breath a sigh of relief when it is finally done. I might even take a pickie.
Posted: 05/08/2020 11:36:54
Posted: 05/08/2020 11:36:54
(Groups 36 & 67)
I love the drama of this sunset. This sky is amazing.
However, I'm going to go with the crop that Jeri submitted. I feel the twin piers, while acting as leading lines and still taking some of the power away from the sunset. Te single pier puts more focus on the sunset.But that is just my humble opinion----it is your image. Posted: 05/08/2020 16:02:26
However, I'm going to go with the crop that Jeri submitted. I feel the twin piers, while acting as leading lines and still taking some of the power away from the sunset. Te single pier puts more focus on the sunset.But that is just my humble opinion----it is your image. Posted: 05/08/2020 16:02:26
Bob: I LOVE colorful sunsets. There is great drama in the sky. Here in Taos we have many dramatic sunsets. Have collected a whole bunch of them in a folder for use of sky replacement possibilities. I personally like the TWO piers They direct my eyes to the main part of the dramatic sky and its reflection in the water. Posted: 05/08/2020 17:19:19
I love the WoW sunset. It is just beautiful. I love how all the clouds create leading lines to the center of the sunset. I actually like the two piers. I would just have straightened them. they are leaning in because of the wide angle lens used. I would have cropped a bit differently as well giving more space to the wonderful sky. The last thing I would have adjusted just a little is the brightness. It is a spectacular shot!! Congratulations! Posted: 05/09/2020 01:52:09
(Groups 29 & 80)
Thank you to everyone for your comments and suggestions. I do appreciate them. I've tried another image and cropped, wide angle lens transform and taken out the left pier to eliminate the conflicting merger etc. I know not every one with think its better, but we're all trying to learn and I thought this way might be helpful to us all.
With so many images to pick from and none of them absolutely perfect we will try this version. What do you think? Posted: 05/09/2020 18:20:43
With so many images to pick from and none of them absolutely perfect we will try this version. What do you think? Posted: 05/09/2020 18:20:43
(Groups 36 & 67)
I, for one, like this image. The sky and the colors are really dominate.
As this is, I feel the the pier begins to look like an after thought in the image. I used one of the crop modes in Lightroom that can be found by typing the letter "O" (not zero) as a guide. I felt by eliminating some of the sky from the left the image was more balanced .
Next: I also belong to a Nature2 Study Group in which we have a "professional" reviewer. One of the things he stresses is the in a scene like this the water is darker than the sky. So while I was cropping this image I used the graduated filter and dragged it up from the bottom of the from and then adjusted the exposure. It is attached below. What do yu think of the tone of the water. I think it does bring out the sky more.
Posted: 05/17/2020 14:02:39
As this is, I feel the the pier begins to look like an after thought in the image. I used one of the crop modes in Lightroom that can be found by typing the letter "O" (not zero) as a guide. I felt by eliminating some of the sky from the left the image was more balanced .
Next: I also belong to a Nature2 Study Group in which we have a "professional" reviewer. One of the things he stresses is the in a scene like this the water is darker than the sky. So while I was cropping this image I used the graduated filter and dragged it up from the bottom of the from and then adjusted the exposure. It is attached below. What do yu think of the tone of the water. I think it does bring out the sky more.
Posted: 05/17/2020 14:02:39
(Groups 3 & 18)
Just looking at your photos and the Before and after photos,emphasizes the importance of having patience when contemplating a sunset or some similar nature event. We had that happen at Point Rleyes lighthouse a few years back. It was a camera club field trip and we ended the day overlooking the lighthouse. The sky did not look promising, and the call for dinner was stronger for all of us except for one stalwart member. So as we trudged too far away to make a run back, the sky turns really beautiful and the one member got the shot.
Your have a great leading line of the pier and although you divided the photo almost half and half between the sky and sea, it still works for me. I do like Bob's last version, where all the color is retained and some of the black area down below is removed. Lucky you to have stayed the course. Posted: 05/15/2020 13:28:55
Your have a great leading line of the pier and although you divided the photo almost half and half between the sky and sea, it still works for me. I do like Bob's last version, where all the color is retained and some of the black area down below is removed. Lucky you to have stayed the course. Posted: 05/15/2020 13:28:55