Adrian Schaub
July 2024 - Beachball
Original
About the Image(s)
We have been in Marbella (Spain), where I tried to capture these two guys playing ball on the beach. The challenge was to have their full bodies in front of the bright background of the water, the ball visible and ideally a seagull flying by – all at the same time. I took around a dozen pictures until I got this one. I would have preferred if the ball would have been better isolated, but as I claim authenticity for my pictures I have refrained from copying it to elsewhere.
I did change it to BW in LR, increased the contrast, shadows and whites and decreased highlights and blacks. I moderately (around 20) added texture, clarity and dehaze. Further I added a Linear Gradient on top to darken the sky and a linear gradient on below with heave increase of texture and clarity (around 70) to give the sand more structure.
Hasselblad X2D, XCD 65, ISO 400, f 16 1/1500 sec
This round’s discussion is now closed!
7 comments posted
What you tried to do was challenging due to the light. My eye goes to the bright horizon first and then to your two lads on the beach and it probably should be to the lads first.
My thought was to adjust the light outside of the beachfront, probably sacrificing the gull in the process. I placed a radial gradient over the beach, feather at 60%, inverted it and reduced the exposure. I did a crop on the left and tops of the frame.
Regards
Emil Posted: 07/04/2024 16:37:45
I often preach to others to focus on one topic only and realize that I didnt stick to my own advice here because I couldnt resist the temptation of the seagull. I like your version substantially better. Since interacting with you I have learned to use and appreciate the radial gradient :-)
Br, Adrian Posted: 07/05/2024 10:06:48
I often preach to others to focus on one topic only and realize that I didnt stick to my own advice here because I couldnt resist the temptation of the seagull. I like your version substantially better. Since interacting with you I have learned to use and appreciate the radial gradient :-)
Br, Adrian Posted: 07/05/2024 15:16:21
I do like the seagull but agree that it distracts the viewer from the silhouetted people. My mantra is that we have to use all tools available to direct the viewer to the subject and hold them there, so removing the seagull enhances that goal. But I love the scene and drama captured in the image. Posted: 07/17/2024 16:19:09
The photograph is a testament to the resolution of the Hasselblad, your skill at seeing the scene, and Emil's ability to enhance even the best images.
Posted: 07/17/2024 17:13:52
Great shot and editing, I really like it.
Emil's idea improved it by a lot.
All the best.
Sincerely,
Israel Posted: 07/24/2024 14:34:45