Scott Messer  


Cabo Arch by Scott Messer

May 2020 - Cabo Arch

May 2020 - Scott Messer

Original

About the Image(s)

Deion - The Cabo Arch is located at the tip of the Baja peninsula in Cabo San Lucas. I shot this image standing on a boat in fairly rough seas. I removed the parts of the boat with Photoshop and then replaced the sky in Luminar 4.2. I also added some birds with Luminar. I would like to know from the group if they think that I went too far in post by adding the birds. The rest of the post processing was completed in Lightroom.


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




Trey Foerster   Trey Foerster
The birds look natural to my eye. Sky and water look great but there are too many sea stacks even for a balance to the image. And what is the focal point - maybe that's why you inserted the birds? The rocks look sharp and detailed.   Posted: 05/04/2020 18:41:24



 
Thanks Trey. The focal point of the image is the arch and surrounding rocks. I guess I should have cropped better to make that more apparent.   Posted: 05/05/2020 09:50:16



R Gary Butler   R Gary Butler
(Group 4)
Scott, I believe that you have done a good job in Capture and Post with the Color of the scene, the DoF and the contrast. To my eye you have done a good job of matching a sky with a scape and getting consistent light direction. I feel that the birds are a good add to the picture. Great "post" work.

From my experience - and what I have read - viewers seem to prefer groups in odd numbers - so is there a way to get rid of the far left stack. Also I think that the breaking wave in the foreground is a distraction.

I have seen this scene shot from this angle and high tide many times. Did you consider a low tide shot with the beach exposed?   Posted: 05/07/2020 08:17:12
 
Gary we were at the mercy of the boat company so didn't really have an opportunity to shoot during low tide. Thanks for your comments.   Posted: 05/09/2020 09:43:14



Lou McLove   Lou McLove
(Groups 85 & 92)
I think you did a good job with this image. I like the addition of the birds and the sky, I think those additions really add a lot. I agree with the comment regarding the sea stacks. In my opinion I would crop out the two on the left, I think that composition would be stronger. All in all I think this is a breath taking image.   Posted: 05/08/2020 17:31:38



 
I do not think you went too far. i like what you have done. the birds add to the photo. i think if you didn't have them the photo would not be as impact-full. one thought would be to remove the bird closest to the rock, the one that has its wing toughing. i think it would open the photo up more and you wouldn't stop at the rock when you see it. your eye would travel up to the other bird. Very nice shoot!!!   Posted: 05/08/2020 21:38:31



Charles Walker   Charles Walker
Scott, I like what you did. Changing the sky and adding some birds may seem artificial, but photography has become a visual art, not merely a veridical recorder of visual information. Some may comment on whether or not the added elements are from a stock source or from the photographer's own private library. I agree with comments about possibly removing a couple birds close to the biggest rock.   Posted: 05/09/2020 09:21:54



 
Scott, this is easily one of the best shots I have seen of the Cabo sea stack. I think the birds and sky replacement does make this picture and has been done well. I did not even know Luminar has features like adding birds. This is my personal preference, I would try adding the birds to the left over the three stacks more than the center where it will enhance the picture while still not distracting from the arch. if that does not work well, then do remove the one bird that is touching the stone since the eye is immediately drawn to it.   Posted: 05/14/2020 17:34:44