Darcy Quimby  

Sunset Reflection by Darcy Quimby

July 2024 - Sunset Reflection

July 2024 - Darcy Quimby

Original

About the Image(s)

I was looking forward to some grand sunset images this summer. I did not realize how many foggy and non cloudless evenings there are in Oregon. That said I am using one of the few images I've taken.

Title Sunset Reflection
Camera Canon R7 Lens Canon RF 24mm-240mm
f8 1/40 ISO 400 58mm Hand held

We are summering in Brookings Oregon. Since I've been here there have not been many cloudy sunsets. The night I took this image there were clouds and quite a few people also enjoying a rare sunset.

I was caught when I saw a reflection in a tide pool. IMO the clouds and reflection softened the sun. In the original I underexposed so in ACR I upped the exposure, contrast, shadows and whites. lowered blacks. I then dehazed used point color for plums and browns. In PS I dodged the sand to make it a tad lighter.

I am looking for advice on the sand. To me it just doesn't seem to be setting right. Please let me know what you think.

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

Dawn Gulino
Hi Darcy, to me, the star of the show is the reflection as you've pointed out and the logs in front and the top are distractions to my eye they way they've been framed. I'd like to see a bit more on the top or more log. I also see what you mean by the sand, it looks a bit too green to me? I also like the reflection color in the original.

Hope you don't mind, I wanted to see what it would look like with making a few adjustments, let me know your thoughts.   Posted: 07/05/2024 03:29:26
Comment Image
Darcy Quimby   Darcy Quimby
Dawn
I like the way you cropped it. The verdict about the reflection IMO I think the reflection in the original is too dark. Thank you for making the updates.   Posted: 07/16/2024 00:01:16
Neil Bellenie
Darcy, this is a great picture, especially given he original is relatively unpromising. The colors in the reflection are rich and absorbing. I especially like the orange sunlight reflecting from the patch of water toward the top of the picture. The juxtaposition of the bright orange and subdued reds of the 2 areas of water makes compelling viewing.   Posted: 07/16/2024 04:16:26
Darcy Quimby   Darcy Quimby
Neil
Thank you. I was drawn to the reflection and I took notes on how this made me feel.   Posted: 07/16/2024 18:37:34
Paul Smith   Paul Smith
I must agree, first with Dawn ( Star of the Show comment), then with Neil (colors are rich and absorbing)! Do you have/use De-noise and Sharpener s/w. The more you show of the reflection pool, the better the image becomes.   Posted: 07/17/2024 22:16:08
Darcy Quimby   Darcy Quimby
Paul
Thank you   Posted: 07/22/2024 00:26:59
Ed O’Rourke   Ed O’Rourke
Welcome to the Oregon Coast Darcy, our clouds and fog are something that you just have to get used to, and really take advantage on our clear days. With that said I think you did a great job with a simple subject. I regularly walk by scenes like this without paying much attention but you have highlighted what I'm missing.
As with the others I like what you have done with the reflection along how you've worked the colors to bring out the different tones in the pond. To me you are using strong colors however they blend together nice and softly, which give me a more comfortable feeling.

I'm not sure what the driftwood on the bottom of the image adds and therefore if it is needed in your image.   Posted: 07/22/2024 14:00:00
Darcy Quimby   Darcy Quimby
Ed
Thank you for the feedback. The more I look at the driftwood and the advice I've gotten. I do not know why I left it. My thought was as an anchor.   Posted: 07/22/2024 20:40:27