Mike Patterson  


Sunset Surf by Mike Patterson

May 2020 - Sunset Surf

May 2020 - Mike Patterson

Original

About the Image(s)

This was taken at Point Lobos, California, along the Big Sur Coast in March. We were there for several days just before the Great Lockdown. After spending a day walking along the shore and watching the waves, we waited until the sun started to set. I loved the way the fading light shined through the water droplets from the waves. Shot with a Canon 7D, Sigma 100-600 mm lens at 388 mm, F8 at 1/800 second. Used a low ISO of 100. Minor adjustments in Lightroom.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
6 comments posted




Joseph J Zaia   Joseph J Zaia
Nice seascape and one with nice memories I am sure. The unfortunate thing of this scene is that we hardly have any separation between the splash and the background water. Even hand held, I think that a slower shutter speed would have given the splash some motion and some separation from the background. Perhaps Marti of someone else knows a way of toning down the background only, to separate the two. Not sure if a little Levels treatment on the water only helps, but it is kind of what I mean.   Posted: 05/04/2020 18:07:58
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Jerry Biddlecom   Jerry Biddlecom
There's a nice rule of thirds here with the rocks, the crashing surf, and the open water in the background. Nice golden sunset tones as well. I think Joe is correct in pointing out the way the wave blends too much into the background water. I wonder if more detail could be brought out from the rocks. A good dynamic image.   Posted: 05/10/2020 08:35:15



Al Swanson   Al Swanson
I have to agree that the surf does not look as dramatic as it must have felt in real life. The colors to blend to closely. Highlighting and bringing out the foreground colors and textures may have improved the image. However the risk is that the foreground then would become the subject. This is a tough shot to post process.   Posted: 05/10/2020 13:54:34



Marti Buckely   Marti Buckely
I feel the lighting is what hurts this image in that the golden cast is on everything. If the water could be made a little cooler (bluish) then the wave would perhaps stand out more? I agree with Al - it's a tough one to post process. You gave it a good try.   Posted: 05/10/2020 14:30:04



Kaylyn Franks   Kaylyn Franks
I will tell you a little secret that will allow the colors to be adjusted separately. Tony Kuyper has developed TK7 Actions with a luminosity mask that has a color picker. It does an amazing job and I think could solve the color separation.   Posted: 05/12/2020 10:59:08



Peggy Reeder   Peggy Reeder
I agree with Marti that a little cooler tone would help. The splash needs to be a bit whiter to separate from the background. Joe suggests a slower shutter. I was wondering about a faster shutter! Nice action shot and great time of day to be shooting.   Posted: 05/16/2020 16:58:29