Low Country Sunset

Any thoughts or comments are greatly appreciated!

This is a crop of "Sunset Glow" (credit to David Clapp for pushing the idea, and Vincent Tylor for seconding David's motion). I'd love to hear some comparisons and what people like and don't like about each composition, especially since I will be returning to reshoot this scene. There is a long conversation thread attached to Sunset Glow that is very educational and also applies largely to this shot. Thanks for the help!

 

Very nice photo Tyler, I love these colors!

Quick question for the post-processing masters:

 

1. Can I white balance only the shrimp boat so that it looks white (which it is) instead of the green hue that is has from the dock light?

 

2. Do you think this would enhance the photo or look unnatural? In real life the boat does appear whiter at this time of night, although it is not "snow white" like it is in the daytime.

 

Thanks!

I like the comp and colors on their own and the glow from the lightbulb (i would guess) puts this over the top. Well seen.

Yes you can localize the white balance of any object in PS. Use layer masks. If you think that the shrimp boat is really true white than it's rather simple to make it white. Start by creating a levels adjustment layer. In levels, choose the white eye dropper and click on the portion of the boat you believe should be white. This will turn the existing color you clicked on to white but it's also going to give you some weird results to the rest of the image. That's why you use an adjustment layer or layer mask. So, if your mask is black, just paint with white over the portion of the boat you want to reveal your levels changes. If you masks is white, paint over the rest of the image except for the portion of the boat you want to keep. Does that make sense to you Tyler? Hope this helps.

Steven--Thanks for the comments...I really appreciate them!

 

Will--What you said makes perfect sense. Thanks for the detailed explanation. I'm trying to focus on studying for my medical boards (which are in 10 days) right now but I will definitely refer back to your post and give it a try after that when I embark upon my PS training a little more intensely.

 

I know you can't put everything on the ratings average (I've done trials of posting the same image twice and they don't always resemble each other) but judging from the ratings it seems most people prefer the wider landscape version of this shot. I was actually kind of leaning towards liking this vertical composition a little better. Although, I must say that I see them as "different" and not "competing" compositions. This composition highlights the shrimp boat and puts it more "in your face" while the landscape version ("Sunset Glow") gives the feeling of a vast open space with the boat ready to head out to sea in the morning.

 

Thanks for the thoughts so far--any further comments, especially comparisons or suggestions for improving my captures of this scene for future shoots, are always appreciated!

Well chosen crop that place emphasis on the boat against the beautiful sunset glow as bg. The dim-lit fg is a good contrast wit the bg.

Ratings don't mean squat. Ratings have turned into luck more so than a reliable way to measure a photo. Marc Adamus even refuses to have his new photos rated because of the BS that goes on here. Personally, I like this crop better. If I get a chance I will upload the boat as white later tonight. Good luck on your medical board.

Cherlyn--Thanks for your comments...I value your input and appreciate you leaving it!

 

Will--I second what you are saying about ratings. I think they give you a decent general idea (especially if you get a lot) but there is a LARGE standard deviation in the averages you would get posting the same picture 10 times. If you get a chance to whiten the boat and don't mind doing so I'd love to see it. But, please don't feel obligated at all--you have already done far more than your fair share to help me with this photo and many, many others!

You decide if you like it better Tyler.

a very pleasing image tyler, super feeling of tranquility.

Thanks for all the comments...I do appreciate them tremendously and as soon as I get my medical boards over with in a couple weeks, I'll be certain to make more time to return the favor(s).

 

Will--You certainly did a good job altering the shot...I do honestly appreciate you doing that for me. I've been looking at the first one so long now that the version you did looks "off" when the truth is it is much closer to reality. You're the expert on these things--which one do you prefer? You don't have to do this, but I think ideal may be somewhere between the two images. The pasty snow white really sticks out (although again, I may just have to get used to it since I've looked at the original 100 times) but I think if I tone down the white just a tiny bit (make it "off white" or add a touch of grey) it may be perfect. My version is definitely a bit on the greenish side. I'd love to hear what your thoughts and preferences are--you are very objective and intelligent when it comes to advanced post processing to create realistic images. Thanks again for doing that--I owe you again!

 

If anyone else has an opinion on the boat color/white balance, I'd LOVE to hear it as well!

I really don't know which I prefer. I like both, I guess.

Way to be decisive there, Will! I'm teasing...I'm torn too. The more I look at them though, the more your version is growing on me. I do think that yours is closer to reality, which is the way I usual lean for editing. Thanks again for doing that for me--I appreciate it!