Stockton Beach Landscapes (Lots of pictures)

[pippin88]

My first lot of pictures from the Stockton Beach excursion.
The day was great (despite some difficulties with the vehicles), and the weather was great for photography.

Click for a larger version, or click on the link for the others.
http://images.imagineant.com/gallery/st ... SC_6933web
http://images.imagineant.com/gallery/st ... SC_6958web
http://images.imagineant.com/gallery/st ... SC_6966web
http://images.imagineant.com/gallery/st ... SC_7011web












Comments appreciated.

[beetleboy]

3 and 4 - love em..all awesome though. I really like the treatment you've given the shots, brings out the drama in the sky(s)!

Liam =]

[Hlop]

Hi Nick,

Very good and dramatic landscapes! Is it just CPL filter or you have played with levels and curves?

[moggy]

Great shots, like the 'dramatic' skies and the lonely 'atmosphere' that they imply.

Bob.

[Alpha_7]

4 and 5 are my favourites, but a great selection of shots


Defintely something cool about footprints in sand, and when it's framed by such interesting clouds and sky.


Well done!

[pippin88]

Thanks for the comments.

I used a CPL and then in PP:
Twiddled exposure and heavily increased shadow contrast in Rawshooter.
Auto or manual adjustment of levels in PS7.
Then just resize and USM.

[stubbsy]

Nick

I've taken a while to comment on these as I wanted to give the shots a good look

One overriding feel is that these shots are all a little cold and could benefit from a slight elevation in colour temp for my tastes, but that aside, they work very well as a whole.

Image no 7011 is way in front of the others for me and you didn't even show it here! (I've embedded it below as it's too good not to share). Beautifully framed, lovely sweeping curves and so dramatic. The best of ALL the shots I've seen posted from this day from all of us (me included )

My pick of the shots shown here is #4 (7022), but I think you've overdone the PP as, for me, the sky is too unnatural an inky colour. The shot is dramatic enought to stand on it's own with more naturalistic colours.

Shot 6 (7154), OTOH the PP makes this one work - I think the bleak look adds impact to the shot. Particularly clever composition on this one too with the foreground lines nicely echoed in the matching horizontal lines in the background hillock.

Shot 7 (7063) - really nailed the use of the CP to bring up the sky on this one. Well done

Shot 9 (7131) - great use of the CP in this and another well composed shot. The sticks coming out of the sand really add visual hooks to keep me looking at this image and nicely balance the very dominant sky. This works much better than the grassier variant of the same shot that precedes it (7129)

Final shot (7152) - I think this is a great shot, but the impact is lessened considerably by being too dark. I think this could have more punch by some judicious curves adjustment to lighten the shot without losing the shadows in the footprints.

Image 7011 - my favourite - embedded below for the less inquisitive to enjoy!

[moggy]

Thanks for embedding that Peter, that IS a great shot.

Bob.

[pippin88]

Peter, thanks for taking the time to have a good look and post some very constructive thoughts.

I'll try to have another play with a few you've suggested (7022).

7063 is one of my favourite landscape shots that I've taken, and the CPL really helped.

I couldn't quite get 7152 to my satisfaction. I had trouble lightening the foreground while not blowing out the sky. I've not really played with curves, which might be just the thing. I might combine two versions of it, one exposed for the sky and the other for the sand.