Half Dome at Sunset

This photo was processed using Photoshop CS. Earlier version was processed using D30's RAW converter left a greenish yellow cast on the photo. For this version, I have tried to bring out some details in the foreground. All comments are welcome.

All comments are welcome. Thanks.

Wow those digitals really do have a lot of range this one would be next to impossible to take with film.

Great shot, Jay! Did you use the CS shadow/highlight on this?

Beautiful shot Jay!

Jay...definitely this is better from the previous version.I love the light!The composition, glowing half dome, to add to it all the boat!! Heavenly light ..! 7/7

Beautiful, Jay..... I feel as if I am looking at a calendar picture of very high quality. Excellent execution.... how long have you waited for this shot? It was made at perfect moment.....

you don't seriously expect anyone to fairly rate this? One look at it will drive anyone into fits of jealousy and envy! I would remove it as quickly as possible and save all of us from temptation.

 

Just kidding...it's Excellent! I remember seeing the earlier version last year and thinking how nice it was. This version exceeds that many fold. Regards.

Jay, Tough to believe that the original could be improved upon but you've done it. Best, LM.

Jay you've got this one nailed -- beautiful detail and lighting. Walter is right -- we're jealous.

Thanks you all for the rating and comments on my photos.

J. Montomery: I used Photoshop CS shadow and highlight filter as well as a custom design tonal adjustment action that allows me control shadows and highlights with more precision.

Brad: I had no idea someone was going to come canoeing down Merceed River. I waiting at the Sentinel Bridge to shoot Half Dome and the canoe just showed up. I did wait for the canoe to come to the brightest spot on the water before taking the shot.

Walter, David: Thanks for the comments. No need to be jealous...I was just lucky (I could pretend that I paid the people in the canoe if it makes you feel any better). ;-)

Great work Jay!! :)

a wonderful picture!

Jay, this is a beautiful image. What was the time

you took this shot? I have taken many shots from the same spot, but could not get such details and reflection. Congratulations.

Picture postcard, I want to go there!

JAY, it is the best!Pnina

A very nice take on a way too common shot of Half Dome. That bridge, from where this image was taken (Sentinel Bridge, if I remember correctly), is usually crowded with photographers at sundown vying for tripod space all taking the same, boring image. But you've captured a good additional element here that's made all the difference. Very nice.

My only critique would be that the shadows, while containing good details, seem a bit muddy to me. Perhaps a small + of contrast even at the cost of some of the shadow detail?

this one is incredible...the people paddled into your scene perfectly....so nice of them to cooperate...and I am admiting to some jealousy...give me a photo that I don't like...just once.

A beautifully taken and mastered image. . . perfect harmony of light and shadow.

Mr. Sircar: I took this shot a while ago and if I recall correctly, it was taken little after 7:00 PM. More importantly this shot was taken in spring (May) when the angle of the sun line up nicely with the treeline (and face of the Half Dome). It was a very wet spring and Merceed water level were very high making for a fast flowing river with lots of ripples in the water.

Richard: Thanks for the critique...I will try to explore that idea further to see if I can make any improvement.

Kristin: Thanks for the comments. I can send you a whole CD full of shots that are just awful!! ;-)

A highly original take on the often photographed half-dome. Everything works together quite well and the texture of the water is especially effective. Well done.

Is this a cover of canoeing magazine or what? Outside magazine? I would jump on trying to sell this image as a magazine cover. It's fantastic.

It certainly SHOULD be on the cover of a magazine. This is gorgeous!! Wonderful work!

Agree with all compliments above. The water movement is just unreal! Very nice, Jay. If anything at all, perhaps "level" the darkest value in the scene to get a true black. Well done.

Superb shot, much improved as compared to the previous version. Clever to expose for the lights that moment. Perfect, vivid colors and just the right amount of shadow detail. Nothing to improve, IMO. Congrats, Carsten