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Beneath a Steel Sky by =matt-h-mitchell:iconmatt-h-mitchell:

Categories Photography > Animals, Plants & Nature > Waterscapes

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©2009-2010 =matt-h-mitchell
:iconmatt-h-mitchell:

Artist's Comments

Inspired by the... err... "encouragement" :giggle: ...that I was receiving from my good mate `zetab, I jumped in the car and drove down to my Comfort Zone, Portwrinkle Beach. I'd thought about taking some photos at the lower beach for a while but because it was already after sun-down when I arrived, I decided to traipse out onto the rocks and follow the tide out a bit. There was still enough natural light for the rocks to catch so I decided to spend my time experimenting with long exposures.

This shot was quite early in the set and truthfully is the only one that I really liked; the problem was that the sky was burned and it was difficult to tell where the horizon met the sky. Because of that, I copied the sky off a slightly later shot onto this one. Hopefully the manipulation isn't too obvious. Besides that, I sharpened it up and added a bit of saturation but not much.

I'll be interested to know what my devious peers would have done to correct the problem of the burned sky. Ideally I should've taken a shorter exposure at the same spot but I didn't think to at the time - it would be a habit worth getting into cus then I could blend one onto the other.

Thank you in advance for your comments - I love to know what people think about my photos.

And to Zeta, I hope it was worth the wait?

Technical Info
Exposure time: 10 secs
Aperture: f/25
ISO Speed: ISO-200
Exposure program: Aperture priority
Tripod: Jessop's Special
Filters: Hoya CPL and UV

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:icondeb-e-ann:
*Deb-e-ann Jul 13, 2009, 2:51:05 PM
Well I really like it. It has an ice blue feel to it so it's cool as well as calming. Regarding the sky my personal opinion is it doesn't matter if it blends in. People try to make up too many rules regarding what a photo should or shouldn't do. At the end of the day it's what people will like. I recently saw a photo in a camera magazine and the professionals had commented how the things (whatever they were)that were sticking up out of the sea were drawing the eye to the sunset. What a load of bollocks!! If the shot had been taken from the other side then yes it would have. So you see Matt even professionals don't know what they are talking about.. just like me :laughing:

--
Take Care :)

My work is copyrighted ©2009 *Deb-e-ann. Therefore do not use for any purpose without my prior permission.
:iconfuzzy:
=fuzzy Jul 13, 2009, 3:27:26 PM
Great title and result. Good to see you posting again.
Sounds like you need a set of those Cokin ND grads.
:iconkaton241162:
=katon241162 Jul 14, 2009, 12:56:30 AM
You can try using a graduated ND filter in situations like this so that the sky doesn't burn out, but I don't see anything wrong with the blending in.

--
Moderator for the Photography-APN Group.

We often miss the small things in life as we rush through the day doing whatever we need to do to survive in this hectic world.
:iconjusteline:
*justeline Jul 14, 2009, 12:57:19 AM
This is a really wonderful composition Matt, I really like the detailed foreground and the cool tones!
The title is fantastic too, you a fan of the game too? I remember it came in floppies for God's shake :rofl:
So sorry I was too late in replying your mail but I see you resolved the problem just right! :icongdjobplz:

--
There are no victories in all our histories without love
:iconfiorello:
=FioReLLo Jul 14, 2009, 2:51:52 AM
I simply love it... the colors are fantastic... and the cold, melancholic atmosphere fits the image perfectly!

`zetab did a good job "motivating" you! :nod:

--
Those pretty, well disciplined, chaste girls who don't listen to others...
It's no wonder that they are eaten by wolves...
:iconzetab:
`zetab Jul 14, 2009, 4:16:36 AM
Oh dear me, I had to laugh at the whole "encouragement" thing! :lol: It's great that you actually got out and took some photos though Matt.

I can't remember exactly whether you have any ND grads or not. I think you have some NDs though? Of course, the grads would have worked well, but without them there are some things you can do in Photoshop. A few days ago I stumbled upon a video about gradients specifically to do with lack of ND grads [link] there's also [link] and last but not least, I'm not sure if you have CS4 or not, but the new Graduated filter looks pretty good! [link]

Personally I think the blending looks fine so I wouldn't worry about that at all :D Really like the icey tone this has to it and the atmosphere. It kinda perfectly matches the crispness and details of the shot. Lovely composition to go with it as well!

I like that you added some technical info at the bottom. Always nice to see that.

Last thing... it was definitely worth waiting for! If I have to bug you a little sometimes to get you to take shots like this then that's what I'll do :giggle: Nice one!

--
Zeta B.
Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.
:iconmatt-h-mitchell:
=matt-h-mitchell Jul 14, 2009, 11:08:20 AM
Thank you for posting such a terrific comment Deb. :glomp:

I agree that there's a lot of pretentiousness about what should and shouldn't work in a photograph, and ultimately it comes down to the question "faults aside, do you like it?"

I hope the general public's answer to this question is yes but it's enough for me to know that friends like you do. :hug:

--
It can't rain all the time... but in Cornwall it'll have a bloody good go!
:iconmatt-h-mitchell:
=matt-h-mitchell Jul 14, 2009, 11:10:04 AM
I've got a set and I took them with me, but because it was already after sun-down when I arrived there seemed little point in fitting them. I'll put it down to experience.

Thanks for the comment buddy.

--
It can't rain all the time... but in Cornwall it'll have a bloody good go!
:iconmatt-h-mitchell:
=matt-h-mitchell Jul 14, 2009, 11:21:52 AM
Thanks Malcolm, I appreciate the encouragement :thanks:

I'll make sure to take my Grads with me next time, even if I don't need to use them.

--
It can't rain all the time... but in Cornwall it'll have a bloody good go!
:iconmatt-h-mitchell:
=matt-h-mitchell Jul 14, 2009, 11:32:42 AM
Haha, I've had the title in mind for a few days now, and yes, I am a fan of the game. Joey rocks! Good news: you can download it - nothing floppy here! :boogie:

That's OK about the reply and thanks for the link, it was very interesting. Me being me, I couldn't wait and decided to try to figure something out by myself. :giggle: I think the way I got around the burned-out sky was a bit of a cheat tbh but I guess it enabled me to make use of a photo that wouldn't've otherwise made it onto dA.
I'm glad you like it Mary :iconsqueeeplz:

--
It can't rain all the time... but in Cornwall it'll have a bloody good go!
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Details

July 13, 2009
833 KB
113 KB
600×888

Statistics

40
56 [who?]
179 (2 today)
0 (0 today)

Camera Data

NIKON CORPORATION
NIKON D40
100/10 second
F/25.0
23 mm
200
Jul 9, 2009, 9:06:19 PM

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