storm clouds at the beach

[holmbridge]

Another from the trip to the beach.....I think this is better for the monochrome treatment
any advice on b&w processing welcome..this was simple remove colour, select sky & sort levels, select beach & sort levels.

Canon EOS 30D
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length22 mm
Exposure Time1/640 sec
Aperturef/11
ISO Equivalent200

Andy

[Hugh]

Hi Andy,

I think the lighting is quite harsh and looks like it is coming in from the left hand side. This has caused this side of the frame to be much lighter than the right hand side whioch makes it look a bit unbalanced. I think you need to do some more work making it a bit more even.

Hugh

[holmbridge]

Thanks for the feedback Hugh, beter to be critiqued than totally ignored.

i will look into an edit along your lines

Andy

[Hugh]

Hi Andy,

I look forward to seeing the re-edit.

Hugh

[Alun]

Sorry, Andy. I didn't getaround to commenting on this one, as it deserves. For me the line of posts leads me out of the image and towards the harsh light Hugh referred to. The rhs is far more pleasing exposure wise but I think, on balance, a shot from further right with the first post less central in the frame , may have worked well. I fully appreciate that the shot would then be contra jour but that might have worked well in b&w if you exposed for the sky. Quibbles aside, it's still a good shot.
Alun

[holmbridge]

Can't do much about the direction of the posts in this image but an edit with the highlights toned down and some of the LHS lost as per the suggestion. New layer, edit for the highlights then erased the top layer to show the correctly exposed dark tones below..flattened and sharpened.

I saw the posts walking into the centre of the image rather than leading you away...maybe you wanted to leave?

The second image has the posts running the other way which may be of a more pleaasing aspect, I have edited the strong contrial out as per Ffion's suggestion in another thread ( "scratches" takes you back to the good old film days)

Andy

[rob lloyd]

I think the balance is better as a vertical. Those dark clouds take all the attention at first and the more delicate approach in this one is more attractive to me. Rob

[holmbridge]

Thanks..I think it was what Alun was suggesting in his post...so that's two votes for.

Was almost tempted to do an HDR....... but can't quite do that can I.......why spend all that money on a sharp L lens then processes it to be soft and blurred with distinct colour casts...can't see the point myself

Andy

[Hugh]

Hi Andy,

Those edits are a huge improvement and have produced much better tonality. The second image is my favourite of the 2 re=posts.

Hugh