Karen Sharpe
October 2024 - Patterns in the Sand
About the Image(s)
This landscape was taken in the morning near low tide on Wharariki Beach on the south island of New Zealand. I was obviously trying to capture the cool patterns in the sand as well as the arch in the rocks while avoiding the tourists that were wandering about. I’d love some input on how I could have improved this.
Nikon D7500 Nikkor 18-140 lens at 48mm ISO500 f16 (in an attempt to get everything in focus) 1/320.
I brightened shadows and toned down the bright sky and brought up the vibrance a tad. This was around the time I was switching to shooting in raw and I don’t remember if this was raw or JPEG initially.
12 comments posted
Karen,
I like to take a systematic approach to reviewing an image, so here's my take.
Things I like about this shot:
--The vertical composition really suits the scene. I feel the foreground gently directs my eye from the bottom of the frame to the two formations at the top. You have placed your horizon at the junction of the upper 1/3s without making it too precise (boring). I also feel you made a good choice with the amount of sky you kept.
--I love the structure of the sand, and how nothing jumps out at me as a foot print, despite the people you say were there.
--I feel you included just enough water to make it clear we're on a beach, but not enough to make it a significant compositional element.
What I think could be improved if possible:
--I'd like to see the two rocks not merge. In my mind's eye, I picture moving to your left, just enough to separate the formations so each stands alone. If that can't be done, then perhaps moving to the right to make it clear the choice was deliberate. The problem with the latter idea is that (as shown here) your light is fairly flat on the rocks and there is not enough visual separation between them, so if they overlapped more they would be harder to see as two separate structures.
--I would prefer to see a little more contrast in the scene, especially the sky.
I played with it a bit is CR. For the sky, I took down the blacks, nudged the whites to the right and the Highlights to the left. Then I moved the Temperature slider left a bit.
For the rocks, I increased the exposure slightly then boosted your shadows a little more.
For the samd, I moved the temperature slider to the right, to warm it slightly, then I took DOWN the shadows to increase the structure in the sand.
Finally, in PS, I opened Adjustments >> Curves >> Linear Contrast. I considered sharpening the whole thing in Topaz but kind of forgot before I saved it, so you can work on that yourself. You might want to sharpen only the rocks. Or not.
I hope this helps!
Lillian Posted: 10/09/2024 18:34:17
I like to take a systematic approach to reviewing an image, so here's my take.
Things I like about this shot:
--The vertical composition really suits the scene. I feel the foreground gently directs my eye from the bottom of the frame to the two formations at the top. You have placed your horizon at the junction of the upper 1/3s without making it too precise (boring). I also feel you made a good choice with the amount of sky you kept.
--I love the structure of the sand, and how nothing jumps out at me as a foot print, despite the people you say were there.
--I feel you included just enough water to make it clear we're on a beach, but not enough to make it a significant compositional element.
What I think could be improved if possible:
--I'd like to see the two rocks not merge. In my mind's eye, I picture moving to your left, just enough to separate the formations so each stands alone. If that can't be done, then perhaps moving to the right to make it clear the choice was deliberate. The problem with the latter idea is that (as shown here) your light is fairly flat on the rocks and there is not enough visual separation between them, so if they overlapped more they would be harder to see as two separate structures.
--I would prefer to see a little more contrast in the scene, especially the sky.
I played with it a bit is CR. For the sky, I took down the blacks, nudged the whites to the right and the Highlights to the left. Then I moved the Temperature slider left a bit.
For the rocks, I increased the exposure slightly then boosted your shadows a little more.
For the samd, I moved the temperature slider to the right, to warm it slightly, then I took DOWN the shadows to increase the structure in the sand.
Finally, in PS, I opened Adjustments >> Curves >> Linear Contrast. I considered sharpening the whole thing in Topaz but kind of forgot before I saved it, so you can work on that yourself. You might want to sharpen only the rocks. Or not.
I hope this helps!
Lillian Posted: 10/09/2024 18:34:17
Thank you for the detailed reply and suggestions. I really like what you've done with the sky and the warmth really changes the feel of the picture. Posted: 10/10/2024 16:08:09
You were capturing the cool patterns in the sand as well as the arch. I simply cropped the photo to 2/3rds sand and 1/3 arch/sky to emphasize your intent. The image was imported into LR. I also used lens correction to remove color aberration and enable lens profile. I went to color grading and set blending at 38 for a bit of punch in the midtones. I raised the overall luminance and contrast.
If I were concerned about getting everything in focus, I would focus bracket or stack hand held. In this photo the foreground sand does best tack sharp. So just three images for foreground, middle and back. Assemble in pano mode.
I like this image and you captured it at the right height above the sand. Posted: 10/10/2024 03:31:03
If I were concerned about getting everything in focus, I would focus bracket or stack hand held. In this photo the foreground sand does best tack sharp. So just three images for foreground, middle and back. Assemble in pano mode.
I like this image and you captured it at the right height above the sand. Posted: 10/10/2024 03:31:03
Thank you again for your insight and suggestions. As I am limited to editing on a phone, do you know of any software that will allow me to stack on an iPhone? It's just not something I've attempted yet Posted: 10/10/2024 16:09:01
I imagine that Lightroom (LR) has the pano ability. This will work to stack images. I use the pano mode in LR Classic on a regular basis.
If you have the Adobe Photography plan you already have paid for the software. The LR will work on your phone, tablet and computer. Posted: 10/10/2024 23:59:59
If you have the Adobe Photography plan you already have paid for the software. The LR will work on your phone, tablet and computer. Posted: 10/10/2024 23:59:59
(Group 4)
Richard and Karen, the Pano ability stitches the images, does not stack them. Posted: 10/11/2024 10:03:02
Sorry to create confusion…
Select photos in LR and select edit in PS open as layers in PS and blend layers… Posted: 10/11/2024 23:51:11
Select photos in LR and select edit in PS open as layers in PS and blend layers… Posted: 10/11/2024 23:51:11
Thank you again for your insight and suggestions. As I am limited to editing on a phone, do you know of any software that will allow me to stack on an iPhone? It's just not something I've attempted yet Posted: 10/10/2024 22:39:34
I think you just bought the OM1 Mark2 which has built in focus stacking...good luck!
Posted: 10/13/2024 03:15:48
Posted: 10/13/2024 03:15:48
Good point. I haven't played with it yet. I'm in the US for two more weeks and then hopefully I can get out and take some new pictures. Posted: 10/13/2024 10:15:53
Hi Karen, great image - New Zealand has so many mesmerizing sites. I agree with Lillian on preferring an image where the 2 structures are more separate. I also feel I would like a bit more contrast in the image - Richard's efforts are in that direction. Posted: 10/12/2024 15:35:49
I really like the pattern. The image has 3 distinct points of visual interest, the sand, the structure and the sky. The light sky helps the colors in the structure show. But a closer crop of the sand may make the image more impactful. Posted: 10/13/2024 18:09:51