Need comments on photo

[kimmer]

I'm not looking for praise here (although I never turn it down), but I really need comments/opinions -- especially if you can view this via a PC/win or Linux. Is this too dark? Can you see the reflection in the lower portion? What does the left center look like to you? Just a blob, or can you distinguish anything? Any other comments, helpful tips, etc? THANKS!

This is the larger version (900x675):
http://spatulagraphics.com/images/sunset-1218_900.jpg

Smaller version of same photo (640x480):
http://spatulagraphics.com/images/sunset-1218640.jpg

[jchuzi]

On my system, I can see a reflection in the left center that looks like water. Overall, the composition suits my taste but if you are using Photoshop and want to lighten those areas, try the Shadow and Highlight adjustment. CS5 also has some curve presets that might do the trick.

[chriskleeman]

Hey Kim,

I think it's just a shade too dark, as the definition in the darker areas is a bit murky. I'm looking at it on my MBP, Matte Screen.

I'll go look in the big monitor on the DA and edit this post accordingly.

IAW Jon, I do very much like the composition!

Chris

[gunug]

I liked it as well; although cranking the gamma on it a little brighter really seemed to make it pop!  I have an old Photoshop installed on my iMAC here at work but only use Irfanview on the PC.

[Xairbusdriver]

Just Google something like Mac vs PC Gamma and take a few hours to check the 5,000,000+ results. Note that most of the results will be over 5 to 7 years old. It's not a new problem, I think it has been discussed (although mostly 'cussed') here several times. Note that some years ago, Apple changed the default Gamma setting from 1.8 to 2.2 (the Windows/PC standard), if your monitor is still at 1.8 the darkness will be even greater/dramatic.

Of course, Gamma is only one variable and there is little you can do to control the calibration of the several billion monitors/OSs/eyeballs that might be viewing your images. Even if you ask Santa for an expensive calibration package for your Mac, you still won't be able to fix the problem once you let your image leave your monitor. How's that for a 'lump of coal' for your Christmas stocking?!    

OTOH, you could buy a few thousand Pantone color samples and mail those to anyone who complains. Then tell them to calibrate their monitors to a few specific color samples...

[kimmer]

Thanks for ALL the comments. Much appreciated. I'm playing with newly found ISO settings on my camera and because I have my monitor set a bit odd from most folks, thought I'd like some feedback on this one.

The scene itself was about as dark as the photo. The shots taken with "auto" setting didn't even show the definition that this photo does. I kept ramping up the ISO setting and was pleased with this one (even the darkness). This is the first time I've really been able to capture a sunset. I'm dangerous now.

QUOTE

On my system, I can see a reflection in the left center that looks like water.

Definitely water. The tide was incoming and it was roaring at times and it washed over the basalt rocks and some stayed behind. Probably great tidal pools in there, but I've never climbed down to check as it's a fairly dangerous spot.

[jcarter]

Its an interesting photo, do take the time to mess around with it with PS, its fun, and you will see what is there hiding. Water and more.
I love PS and always love to take a dark photo like this and have fun with it.
Apply some filters too, thats always even more fun.
Jane

[Paddy]

I played around with it a bit in Lightroom - basically just enhancing what is there (applied vibrance, clarity, upped the red, orange, yellow and blue a little), applied a little sharpening (realizing that this is a lower quality jpeg than you would be working on, Kim) cropped a little to get closer to rule of thirds (horizon should be around 1/3 or 2/3, not in the middle) - can't do too much or you lose too much of the foreground. Did paint out the bit of wall in the lower left corner which is distracting.

Here's the result - not a radical change. My monitor is calibrated (I have an Eye-One) and the gamma is 2.2.

http://paddyduncan.com/files/Kimsunset.jpg

The foreground detail seems more obvious in Lightroom than in the online version...weird.

[kimmer]

^I'd like to see what you came up, but I get a "404" error.

[Highmac]

QUOTE(kimmer @ Dec 22 2011, 05:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

^I'd like to see what you came up, but I get a "404" error.

Me too

[Jack W]

QUOTE(kimmer @ Dec 22 2011, 12:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

^I'd like to see what you came up, but I get a "404" error.

QUOTE(Highmac @ Dec 22 2011, 04:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE(kimmer @ Dec 22 2011, 05:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

^I'd like to see what you came up, but I get a "404" error.

Me too

Ditto  Ditto

[jcarter]

MeeToo, though I did get to pointovue, which is beautiful!  What a lovely place to vacation, Ive been around those islands a lot many many years ago.
Jane

[Paddy]

Argh. The "K" was upper case, not lower case! That's what you get for typing, rather than copying and pasting! Fixed the link. Here it is again,

http://paddyduncan.com/files/Kimsunset.jpg

I played around some more and this time lightened up the foreground even more to see what it looks like online.

http://paddyduncan.com/files/Kimsunset2.jpg

But that made the sky lose a lot of its punch, so then I edited it with my Color Efex Pro 3 filter set and applied a neutral density filter. It's probably a little overboard on the clouds now, but here it is:

http://paddyduncan.com/files/Kimsunset3.jpg

A little less messing with the sky: http://paddyduncan.com/files/Kimsunset4.jpg

Of course, with Color Efex Pro, you can do some pretty wild things too - but I'd better get on with the Christmas wrapping, instead of having fun in Lightroom!!

BTW - if your camera is capable of shooting in RAW, always use that! It gives you the most latitude for playing around afterwards. And also make sure your edits are done on TIFFs or PSDs, not JPEGs. JPEG is a "lossy" format - every time you save, more data is lost through the compression algorithm. TIFF and PSD are non-lossy.

And if you like to play around with your photos, I can't recommend Nik's Colo rEfex Pro software highly enough: http://www.niksoftware.com/colorefexpro/us...ro%2Fmain.shtml - I use it for all sorts of things, from B&W conversion to adjusting shots taken with flash. (Would make a very nice Christmas present for a desperate last minute shopper, as it's downloadable!!!)

[jcarter]

Yes that is a neat photo, the second one is sort of like what I got with PS. I LOVE Lightroom, but havent bought it yet, just used the trial version.

[Xairbusdriver]

The key thought here, however, is that what you see on your Mac may not be what anyone else sees on their Windows machine. Did you check your Gamma setting in the Display->Color->Calibrate (last screen)? Probably wouldn't hurt to use the Calibration functions even though they are pretty basic. At least they are free and you've already got them. And it will get the best on the monitor, environmental (lighting) conditions and eyes you have. It's kind of the bottom of the 'food chain.' Get that set and work your way up. Mainly, keep taking pictures!!!