Bedtime Story (Click for larger view)

Shooting at F4 would indeed produce a better image for for enlargement purposes. But perhaps not as good to look at.

I could indeed have used exposure compensation in order to avoid blown highlights, and indeed yes I did just that. If you look at the exif data I used -1.3 as well as choosing f8.  Using - exposure compensation has an effect of darkening the entire image, and although I have reclaimed detail from the shadow areas here, I did not have to do so extensively. If I had used F4 as you suggested I think the extra exposure compensation I would have to employ would inevitabley have caused extensive loss of detail in the shadow areas. Now whilst I can appreciate that most of the detail could be retrieved I usually find that it has a somewhat bleached appearance and doesn't look as good.

For most of the time on this session I actually used F5.6, it was only when I faced the sun directly did I think it was necessary to use f8.

Another way around the problem would have been to bracket 3 shots at F4 or F 5.6 and blend them in processing. But at 72 MB per RAW file I try and avoid bracketing.

To summarise "what it did not capture" at F8 in this instance is hardly cause for concern for me, as it seems to have captured enough detail to print what it did capture at a very large size, certainly large enough for anything I would require.  In fact I'd go as far as to say that for aesthetic purposes, it seems irrelevant.  Though certainly for scientific purposes I can appreciate your views.

Many Thanks for your views and explanations Mike!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

LARRY

 

Lol yeah it could be percieved as a second job, but much more preferable than my first job!

I am very fortunate in as much as, to find places like this I only have to travel for 20 minutes!

The "tie down" you mention is a large chain that dissapears under the sand, but I liked the way it kind of pointed towards the sun.

I took several shots of different boats on this evening, and in different light, but I kept coming back to this one, but I guess boats are just like people, some are just more photogenic than others.

Sincere thanks for your thoughtful feedback Larry!

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

 

RAYMOND

 

It might look a bit lonely without the boat, but I know what you mean, the sunset was lovely!

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

 

Alf

 

MUSEEB

 

The diagonal position was planned for previously, I had taken quite a few images with a side on view, and they didn't look quite as interesting. Also the proximity of the sun and the boat was a factor I had to consider in the composition.

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and kind words Museeb.

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

WOLFGANG

 

There is an up side to living on a relatively small island, and that is that every location is never more than 4 - 5 hours away maximum. But this one was only 20 minutes and most of the ones I visit are within 1 - 2 hours. So we have sea, mountains,, forests, farmland and moorland all within easy reach, no deserts but hey! we can't have everything : - )

The down side is that its hard to avoid people, and you have to wait for them all to go home : - )

These I try to avoid too much processing, it takes too much time and you end up with something that you didn't really photograph. With this one I used minimal sharpening, a small amount of shadow reclaim in Lightroom and a small amount of vibrance.

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and kind words, much appreciated!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

JACQUELINE

 

I am really glad you like this one.  

Subjects of a nautical nature are always like a magnet to me, I am drawn to them!

I am very honoured that you consider this a favourite!

 

Many Thanks for your most encouraging words and thoughtful feedback!

 

Warm Regards

 

Alf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What can I say, Alf?

...In "Texas speak" it just kicks ass...

Good Morning Alf,

  A great shot IMHO, time of day gives us these wonderful warm colors. Perfect composition, naturally. I enjoy the amount of detail in the shadows and whatever one must do to get them one must do. To me its another in a long line of images that I have enjoyed looking at from you. Take care, my friend.

Best Always,

Holger

A beautiful spot of work you have here, so many elements are so well arranged in the image.  I do enjoy how all your primary subject matter here, has a tendency to aim toward the setting sun.  I will concur, you do seem quite fortunate in your living arrangements, to be so close to such varied and rich subject matter.  Thank you for sharing your work with us.  Best regards...

 

-Dave

Alf, Excellent image and wonderful composition. I love the ripples in the mud as if gives texture and has a way to draw the eye into the image.Great sky and reflection. The bost if the final touch to a great image. Best Regards, Sherry

Pure beauty!!

Good to hear from you my friend!

Sincere Thanks for your very positive feedback!

I was recently showing a friend around your flower website and to use Liverpool terminology she was "Gobsmacked"! at the sheer beauty of the contents.......I think you now have another fan!

Cheers!

 

Alf

 

HOLGER

 

Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback, much appreciated!

There are usually a number of ways to take a photograph, and apply the necessary PP work, and both are equally important, its just calculating and predicting the results that is perhaps the difficult bit, but regularly checking histograms after each shot is definately a habit worth forming that will act as a valuable source of exposure information.

 

Cheers Holger!

 

Warm Regards

 

Alf

 

 

DAVE

 

Thank you so much for your thoughts and invaluable feedback!

I usually walk around a subject first (trying to avoid making footprints in this case) looking through the viewfinder to evaluate the best composition, and this perspective lined up all the lements and seemed to be the most interesting.

I am indeed fortunate, but I never take any of it for granted.  Its a strange phenomenon, but like a lot of photographers I have spoken to, I can't remember seeing anything quite so vividly before I first picked up a camera and looked at things through a viewfinder.

Cheers Dave!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

 

SHERRY

 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughtful feedback, very much appreciated!

 

Best time of day.....and dawn too of course! I was going to wait a bit longer until the sun dipped below the horizon, but the tide started coming in at a very fast pace, and I didn't fancy being stuck out there in the dark.

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

ALBERTO

 

Thank you so much!

 

Alf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ok Alf, I am moving where you live! Twenty minutes away? Trust me, you wouldn't find anything like this twenty minutes away from where I live! Still, there are some nice things around (like golden foothills) but not like this - I really miss living near the ocean. This is a lovely scene you have captured with gorgeous light and color. It must be all you can do to refrain from taking that boat out for an adventure! I am curious about something; why are there so many boats accessible like this in the UK? I have never seen a sight like this in the US, at least not on the west coast in California or Washington. Lovely image, very well done. Thank you for sharing. :)

This image is nothing short of exceptional.  It tells a story of frustration, tragedy, and loss.  Yet the abandoned vessel being almost fully visible, listing slightly to port, within such a hauntingly beautiful environment also communicates to us that the bounties of our world are where we find them.

My best always,

michael

Again, I am late to the party and appropriately feel like "Alex in Wonderland" - that is the male version.

In some ways it does remind me of one of your other images where the 'ground' magically reflected the light of the sky.

Suffice to say: "great shot".

 

Nice work balancing the tones and colors here, preserving the brightness of the sunset without losing the clarity of detail in the grounded boat. Shooting into the light source always makes things more difficult but you handled this admirably. Here's hoping the tide comes in again for this land-locked denizen of the sea.

I may want to express my feelings too that this image is aesthetically and technically excellent. Managing the sunset was superb, bringing out the details in the sand ripples in the foreground is difficult to achieve yet you were successful. On top of that the ship could not have been placed more adequately in the composition than what you did. Lastly, I take a look at the picture as if I am there myself enjoying the beauty of the sunset and the whole scene so naturally. My sincere congratulations, Alf.  -  Lester

Hi Alf, this is a beautiful scene in which one can be for so long  contemplating all details it has on it, sand, colors, beautiful sunset, and the ship in a perfect position to make it a great capture. Very well done!!!

Best regards,

LuDa

I am so very fortunate to have such a vast array of places within easy reach.  There is even a boat museum (which I haven't photographed yet) about 15 minutes walk away from our house. I love water of any kind, rivers, sea lakes, and I can only imagine how much you miss being near the ocean!

 

I have been out on fishing boats before, but it isn't a freindly environment for expensive cameras. The salt spray could cause some lasting damage.

 

 

As for the amount of boats like this in the UK. I guess its traditional, so many tiny villages have thier own fishing fleet. They maybe only fishing for shrimps or lobsters, but the fishing industry in the uk goes back in history to the beginning of time!  The boats also last a long time, they are traditionally built, and because people get thier livelihoods from them, they tend to be well maintained.

Sincere Thanks for your interest and positive feedback Trisha.

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

MICHAEL

 

Thank you so much for your thoughts and positive feedback.

It is always gratifying to know when an image has captured a viewers imagination, you bring a story to life with your words.

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

TONY

 

Many Thanks for your observations and thoughtful feedback!

Wet sand and the light that the patterns can reflect can make for a strong foreground. I learned that very early on (5 years ago) when I posted the very first image of "Perch Rock" lighthouse on PN.  I guess some lessons stick with you..

Cheers Tony!

 

Alf

 

JACK

 

Its always a bit of a tricky one when shooting into the sun. In this case I took about 3 shots previously, then viewed the histogram each time and made small adjustments to the aperture and exposure compensation, until I got a fairly dark image, but one where most of the detail was still visible, and the brighter parts not overexposed.  The little bank of cloud helped too.

The tide was coming in as I was taking this shot, and at quite an alarming speed over the flat estuary, I could feel the sand softening beneath my feet, and decided to make a hasty exit.

Sincere Thanks for your interest and thoughtful feedback!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

LESTER

It was a bit tricky, but then it is always trial and error when it comes to sunsets. The light never seems to have exactly the same intensity as previous.

It is most gratifying to read that you enjoyed this Lester and your positive feedback is much appreciated!

Many Thanks & Best Regards

 

Alf

 

LUISA

 

Thank you so much for your interest and thoughtful feedback.

It is most gratifying to read that you found the details so appealing.

These old boats have a lot of character and I never get tired of photographing them.

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Okay, I'm lazy; I didn't read the other comments, but I also didn't want to be influenced by them.  I love, first of all, the proportion of the boat to the rest of the composition and the placement.  It's tilted into darkness, abandonment -- stuck in that "puddle"  and looking into the light.  Is it that tunnel of light we "all" see as we prepare to leave this "cruel!!!" world?  Eh.. it's something beautiful to sail into.  I love the textures of the sand and can almost feel it against the arch of my feet -- aching a little, the chill slime and occasional shell ouch!  I feel relaxed looking at this but not complacent

Bingo! Nicely done.

Anyone who understands and has an appreciation of art will immediately agree that your composition and technical work is spot on with this shot.

Outstanding composition and post processing!

I know what you mean about reading others comments, sometimes I think its best to risk repetition through choice, rather than than feel obliged to agree with previous comments.

 

Proportion, is a very important element, and I am guessing that you notice these things because of your love of drawing. 

Its a great notion to imagine we set sail fro this world to the next looking at that light and being drawn inexorably closer, like moths to a flame.

Its always a great pleasure to read your thoughts and observations

As usual your delivery is descriptive beyond doubt, poetic without rhymme and poignant without patronisation.

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

 

Alf

 

STEVE

 

Many Thanks, those words from such an accomplished photographer are very heartwarming to read!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

GRIGORY

 

 

Many Thanks for your interest and positive feedback, much appreciated!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

 

 

 

Took me a minute just to scroll down :)

Now I'm tired.

Great.

Congrats !

You are so lucky to have such beautiful unique scenes in your vicinity! Congratulations for this shot, achievable within 20 minutes driving! I became more jealous when clicked it to view it larger. WOW! Nice details, colors and light management all around the scene. Im curious specially knowing was it one shot or result of three or something resulting such balanced and even light. Any technique, it is awesome and very unique. Bravo.

Hamid.

I never tire of  your comments : - )

 

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

 

Alf

 

HAMID

 

Many Thanks for your thoughtful feedback, very much appreciated!

 

I am indeed very fortunate Hamid, I could take you to a dozen places within 20 minutes of where I live that all offer great photo opportunities. And within 2 hours there are hundreds of places!  There are some advantages oof living on a relatively small island : - )

The image is a the result of a single shot. I try to avoid bracketing shots these days, with the D800 the 72 MB files would soon eat up my hard drive space.

I tried 2 shots previously, looked at the resulting histograms and made adjustments to the aperture and exposure compensation.  I also waited for the sun to dip just behind that little bank of cloud. The resulting third shot  (this one)  was originally a little bit dark, but the details were easilly recoverable in Lightroom.

Cheers Hamid!

 

Alf

 

 

 

 

 

You know Alf, I have taken a few days to comment on this one, mainly because I could not find anything 'wise' to say. I finally figured out it is not a bad thing. I like the image, for what it is. You caught some lovely light at that magic time of day, good light in the shadowed areas of the fishing boat, lovely reflections on the water that is left behind. I really like the title. This image I find is beautiful to contemplate. It also brings back memories of my Dad when we were under 12 years of age. Every night that he could, he would come upstairs to my brothers room. I would flop on the end of one of the beds, and Dad would continue and ADVENTURE STORY that he had started nights before. They were wonderful stories that took our imaginations to far off places where young people like us could said on tall ships, find hidden treasures in the Pyramids etc. We were only limited by our imaginations. Dad told wonderful stories and I always said he should write books. This image makes me think of those stories, and makes me wonder just who uses this fishing vessel, and what stories he could tell.

 

thanks so much for posting, it is truly lovely, Gail

Hi Alf,

It really takes a lot of time to read the numerous comments you received on this posting. But it takes only a blink of a second to take in the beauty of this picture. Forget about cropping, forget about changing aperture. Your picture is very sharp and the DOF is excellent. I really appreciate the ripples and the ship, which brings a sad or moody feeling into the picture. Composition is perfect and the lighting is beautiful. Bracketing? I don't think it would have much effect, because you already cover details in the darker parts of the picture. It gives me such a pleasure to watch this scenery. Congratulations and thank you for sharing. Best regards Per.

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and ffedback, very much appreciated.

Instinct and gut feelings are equally as important, if not more so than the "wisdom" that we read about.  I tend to remind myself now and again just why I take photographs. And that is because I want as many people as possible to experience and enjoy what I have seen and experienced.  And although PN is made up of mostly photographers of all varieties that kindly offer views and advice, it is refreshing to hear just simply why an image is found to be appealing.

I enjoyed reading about your father and the stories he told, that is a wonderful childhood memory to cherish.

I didn't get any bedtime stories, but at school I was fortunate enough to encounter a very skilled English Literature teacher by the name of Mr Naylor. He was a brilliant story teller, and although I generally detested school and everything it stood for, I was hooked on the stories of |Mr Naylor and actually looked forward to the next lesson, to find out what happened, and consequently my love of reading was born.

You are so right we are indeed limited only by our imaginations, and therefore I will leave you to fill in the gaps about who owns this vessel and the voyages it has made.

Thanks again Gail!

 

Alf

 

PER

 

Yes, I agree. Maybe the old adage of "a picture speaks a thousand words" could be applied.

I am so glad that you experienced a mood / atmosphere when looking at this, its always really gratifying to read when an image connects with someone.

As for the apertures, bracketing and cropping, there is always more than one way of getting to where we want to go, I listen to all and then do it the best way I can.

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback, its a great compliment coming from a photographer that I am totally in awe of.

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

 

 

 

the sunset lighting looks so real-time, Alf, throughout the whole picture... so balanced. it's your magic. sand and boat details, dof. mesmerizing as it would be were we really there. title makes me feel the scene too. beautiful, my friend. ;-} dp