Dead Mans Chest (Click for Larger View)

I wanted to make the most of the sand patterns, so I switched to "live

view" and lowered the camera so it was only about 2" above the sand.

Due to the very close proximity I used F/22 in order to try and get a good

perception of dof.

 

I also made adjustments to the white balance, but not the hues in this

one.

 

Your thoughts and comments are always appreciated! Thank You!

Alf, this is awesome.  Your low-level perspective works and I love the patterns you have found in the sand. Nice composition, too. Cheers, bb

Hi, Alf! It is a beauty! I love the angle, and the pattern, and the "chest". Colours are mesmerising. Where is it (or I missed something?) ? Warm regards, Tamara

Hi Alf,

No doubt , a lot of  DOF along with a maximum amount of compromise.

The trade off, great depth of apparent focus (not true focus) and much loss of the image contents (details).

This certainly appeals to those that are picture viewers, not critical observers.

Now, aside from my technical review, I will say that this is a very nice aesthetics scene , one that would relax me in the dentists chair or in the doctors office.

Best Regards my friend, Mike

Alf- Wonderful photo.  Beautiful colors, and wonderful composition.  The patterns in the sand work so well into the scene..  Looking at this shot reminds me about why I carry that brute of a lens.  Congratulations, Phil

Alf,

Simple and very nice!

Regards always,

Jim j.

Compare with previous in this one sand in foreground is better seen,all texture,shapes in light look very good but I prefer the previous with those splendid clouds.

Hi there Alf! Personal opinion again. I tend to prefer this shot from your previous one. Better POV and DOF, much better light, better balanced colors. In this case the golden tones get the value they deserve because of the strong presence of blue, which is almost totally absent in the previous shot. The sand's texture and tones are amazing and there is a skillfully controlled brightness which reveals more detail. The "pirates" shot is rather dark. Overall I believe that the mood and storyline are better conveyed here! But, as I have previously mentioned, that's just my personal taste...Excellent result! My best compliments!

Another winning landscape ! The large view is really impressive . It would make an excellent print ! Bill

P.S. I've not been on P.net lately , will try to catch up in the coming weeks . Best wishes for 2014 .

Stonehenge in the sant.

Magestic!!!

Alf, you a right I really must visit this location it is stunning.

You have done it real justice with this shot. POV is great and the texture, pattern and warm glow on the sand is wonderful.

Jed

Such incredible texture and clarity.  The shapes in the sand with the highlight and shadows contrast the solid anchor of the structure in a way that's very pleasing to view.

Interesting image, the capture of the sand is skillful. The kissing shapes that are aligned with the sun work well. What is the origin of the title?

Regards, Tibi

Hi Alf, I think the light and POV in this one are a tad better. The sky is awesome with the gradations in color. It's a beautiful scene all around Alf. Take care my friend.

Best Always,

Holger

Hi Alf,

  Beautiful scene with wonderful POV , colors & lighting.  Take care, Patsy

Brill Alf

All The Best

Gary

Hi Alf

 

This image really grabbed my attention, even more so when viewed large!!

 

I know there is a technical side to photography, however, what matters most is what pleases my eyes.....and this stunningly detailed composed image certainly does that!!  

 

So if I'm merely a "picture viewer" that some would observe that the vast majority of viewers are here.... I would have to say this.... I prefer to look at a wonderfully pleasing image like this one, that evokes emotions within me, with whatever lens, settings etc that may have been used, than one that is boring, out of focus that could have been composed by a chimp, that has all the so called "technical" boxes ticked.  

 

I know what one I would want to hang on my wall too! ...... Absolutely stunning image Alf..... Keep them coming :)

 

Warmest regards 

 

Jacqueline

 

 

Hi Alf,

Thanks for continuing to post simple technical details and your reasoning.  I think most of us "pictures viewers" appreciate this info, even though we know that aesthetics are more important for this type of photography.

I viewed and compared this one to your "Pirates".  To me, the blue & gold colors of this look much better and more realistic.  The reflective lighting on the sand and extra foreground detail are appealing.  Too bad the sand doesn't appear as sharp as in "Pirates".  I know that sand is grainy(!), but here the grain appears fuzzy.  At first I thought perhaps the ISO had been increased but now realize it must be due to using f/22?  Any thoughts on this?  Did you try this one at f/5.6, and are the results better or worse?

Regards,

Jeff

 

Love it and thanks for info on how it was achieved. 

As usual this is superb, especially the unique sand patterns.  Speaking of the sand, I think it could be an image to itself.  What about an experimental crop with about half the sky and a corresponding loss on the right?  Just a thought it's excellent as is....  Mike

Another little-big masterpiece, my dear and clever friend!

Many Thanks for your positive feedback! 

 

It was the sand patterns that attracted me too, worth getting wet knee's for! : - ) 

 

Best Regards 

Alf 

 

TAMARA

 

Ahh yes, the "Chest" ........ok! This actually refers to the line in the song in the story "Treasure Island" by Scottish Author Robert Louis Stevenson.

It went something like this, you may remember: - 

 

Fifteen men on a dead man's chest, Yo Ho HO and a bottle of rum! 

 

Drink and the devil have done for the rest, Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of rum! 

 

Now the meaning of this was unclear and the author never gave an indication of what it mean't either, but there is an explanation and you will find it here if you copy this link into your browser : - 

 

http://www.longjohnsilvertrust.co.uk/deadmanschest.php

 

Glad you liked this one : - ) 

 

Warm Regards 

 

Alf 

 

MIKE P

 

Minimum Aperture Maximum viewing pleasure : - ) 

 

As far as I am concerned I welcome with open arms "Picture Viewers" Scientists, Artists and all groups or individuals that can contribute their views, be it good or bad!

But, if I was making my living as a  Landscape photographer and my hobby become a commercial enterprise , then I would be seeking the approval of "Picture Viewers" as a priority, as they would then become potential customers! 

And in this scenario an image that boasted "technical" perfection, would not sell if it looked like crap! And I would soon become the poorest technically correct landscape photographer of all time : - ) 

As for the view from the dentists chair, well maybe not if you assimilate the ribs of the boat with rotting stumps: - ) 

Good to hear from you Mike! 

 

Best Regards my friend! 

 

Alf Bailey 

 

PHIL 

 

Awesome lens isn't it!  Worth it's weight in quality one might say! 

 

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

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

JIM 

 

Simple works for me : - ) 

I am very pleased you enjoyed viewing it! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

RADU 

 

I know what you mean about the clouds in the previous version, they had not formed in this one. and when they did, the sand became so wet that a lot of the patterns disspeared! 

But hey, that photography for you! 

 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and kind words! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

YANNIS 

 

It is always good to get your views and suggestions, they are very much appreciated! 

 

I looked back on the previous image processing history and found that I had moved the slider in one one of the individual colour hues, this I think caused a good deal of the colour imbalance. 

 

Sincere Thanks for your analysis and thoughtful feedback! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

BILL S

 

Good to hear from you I do hope you are keeping well! 

I am never sure if I should print stuff, and what will look good.

Thank you for your kind words and positive feedback and my best wishes to you for 2014! 

 

Alf 

 

MICHAIL

 

"Stone Henge in the sand" 

A very good analogy! I like it. 

 

Thank you so much! 

 

Alf 

 

 

JED 

 

If you need any help finding it, leave me a message or email I'd be glad to help! 

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

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

DOMINICK 

 

Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback. 

 

I tried to use the part of the wreck (which I think was the rudder point of the boat) to block out the harshest of the suns rays, and I think it worked to some extent.

 Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

TIBI 

 

Many Thanks for your thoughts, I never thought of them as "kissing shapes" but you have a good eye! 

The title relates to the story "Treasure Island" and the poem / song that was relayed within. 

There is a full explanation in my reply to "Tamara" above, along with an interesting link that provides a bit more information. 

Cheers Tibi! 

 

Alf 

 

HOLGER 

 

I agree with you, the lower perspective seems to work better, and the sand had more texture at this point, it became more saturated with the incoming tide a bit later and lost its form to some extent.

Many Thanks for thoughtful feedback my friend! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

PATSY 

 

Worth getting wet knee's for : - ) Getting down in the sand was no problem.......getting back up was another story! 

 

Many Thanks & Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

GARY 

 

Thank you so much for your interest and kind words! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

JACQUELINE 

 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and reasoning regarding this shot, much appreciated! 

I think that any image that "moves" the viewer can be safely regarded as successful to some degree.  And yes I fully agree with you, the aesthetics and the result are what matter, why else would I trudge down a beach for miles, then rest on my knees in inches of saturated sand  to get the perspective right if it didn't : - ) 

The camera doesn't matter, the settings don't matter, the cost of the equipment doesn't matter.......it is only ever the "result" that matters.

 

Warmest Regards 

 

Alf 

 

JEFF 

 

It is me that should thank you for continuing to add a good deal of analysis and question to each image and so Thank You! 

After your comments, I went back over the processing history of the "Pirates" image and found that I had moved one of the "hue" sliders on the individual colours, I think it was the yellow one!  After I made adjustments back to the 0, it did indeed look more natural.

Of course I didn't make the same mistake with this one, and it just goes to show that a comment can make one re-examine ones work and make improvements! 

A couple of things relating to the sand.  As I got further away from the image, the sand became increasing saturated as it was closer to the water, I'm not sure if that would have made a difference. But it could be that it is a result of the F/22. 

I did try this at F/ 5.6 not quite as low to the ground, but the immediate foreground suffered with a noticeable amount of blur. 

The ISO when I checked was at 140, and I remember doing this to try and combat the fairly direct sunlight.

 

Thanks again Jeff!

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

WAYNE 

 

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words, much appreciated! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

MIKE M

 

I hear what you are saying about the sand, good idea,  I might give that a try!  

I did think about an abstract idea, might go all "arty" and give that a go too : - ) 

 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions Mike, much appreciated! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

MAURIZIO

 

Thank you so much for your most encouraging words! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

A beautiful scene with  amazing warm colors and light and full of  details, photographed from an interesting POV. Compliments and best regards.

Hi Alf,

I expected your level of  response my friend.

I am writing you personally.

Best Regards, Mike

Thank you so much for your thoughts and kind words, much appreciated! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

MIKE 

 

Thank you my friend! 

 

Don't tell me my "levels of response" are becoming as predictable as your comments!  tut tut!  that will never do! 

I tell you what ........we can make a deal I'll be more original if you do!

: - ) 

I have replied to you personally too! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf