Inspiring Photo: Laguna sunset revisited #10269188

Laguna sunset revisited

Uploaded: June 08, 2010 08:54:13

Description

Applied gradient map technique to sunset image.

Shutter speed: 1/400.00 F-stop: 16.0
ISO speed: 400

Exif: F Number: 16, Exposure Bias Value: -1.30, ExposureTime: 1/400 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 400, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 26.70 mm, Model: DSC-R1

Comments

Jeana Clark June 08, 2010

This is beautiful Dale!! The colors are gorgeous!!! Fantastic comp!!!!
~J~ #1276758

Dale Hardin June 08, 2010
thank you Jeana. This the result of a new technique I was trying out. Still haven't got it right but will continue to work on it. #8679214

Rod Partington June 08, 2010
Wow! Vivid colors Dale!
Beautiful image here. Well done! #8679665

Dale Hardin June 08, 2010
Thanks a lot Rod. #8679855

Dale Hardin June 11, 2010
for the Phellos club, this is a redo of a previously posted image. I tried a new technique involving the gradient map. #8688642

Jeff E Jensen June 11, 2010
So, you said that you haven't perfected it yet. This looks pretty good, what are you still working on? #8688651

Anthony L. Mancuso June 11, 2010
I'm wondering that myself Dale, and would like to see a side by side comparison of the changes if you would be so kind... #8688762

Dale Hardin June 11, 2010
Thanks for the interest Jeff and Tony. I knew that with gradient maps if you select different colors on your basic swatches you can create a duo tone effect quite easily.
But I decided to instead use the gradient map and make my own colored gradient and balance them as it suited me. Since this is basically a silhouette, I selected the black areas with a soft edge and then applied my gradient map to the image.
This of course, added some unwanted color to the black areas but since I'd selected them on another layer I just placed them back on top. The problem I'm having is getting the proper balance of colors and being able to place them where I wish and to have varied opacities. Lots of layers would do it I suppose, but haven't gone there yet.
But with simple images like this, it worked out fairly well. Will keep at it. #8688984

Anthony L. Mancuso June 11, 2010
Wow! What a difference the edits made...I am totally lost when it comes to gradient maps though, so I wouldn't be able to pull something like this off.. #8689048

Teresa H. Hunt June 11, 2010
Dale this is stunning! I love the colors in the water!
I'm figuring out graidents a little bit. I can use them to create a B&W, and on a mask when I want something to change gradually. But I would never know how to do something like this!! #8689152

Susan M. Reynolds June 11, 2010
Absolutely stunning Dale. I'm clueless when it comes to gradients and just about everything else. I can't believe how much I forgot about what I used to know both regarding my camera and Photoshop after all the dang classes I paid for. It seems harder to re-learn it and retain it than it was to learn it the first time around, but looking at how beautiful this edit came out makes me want to keep trying. Lovely (as usual!!!) #8689289

Michael Kelly June 11, 2010
A great edit on an already fine shot. Really pulls in the sunset feel with those reds. I think your posted version looks good Dale. I am not sure I would mess with it much more though I constantly go back to mine and try new things I am a poor one to say leave it as is. #8689905

Rita K. Connell June 11, 2010
what a stunning picture Dale I love this process. I really like what it did to the tones on this. I really like it I have no suggestion I like the way it is. nice job #8689973

Rita K. Connell June 11, 2010
maybe you can give us a tutorial on this new process.hint...hint!!! #8689977

Dale Hardin June 11, 2010
You guys are all so supportive. Love you all. thanks so much.
And Rita, no need to hint, I'll see if I can duplicate what I did. I've sent a few tutorials but wish there were some way to post for everyone without having to send individual emails. Any ideas? I tried a free web site once but it didn't work out.
#8690044

Aimee C. Eisaman June 12, 2010
What no birds flying off into the distance??? LOL Thanks so much for showing the comparison. I think the work you did on it is definitely an improvement. I like how romantic it made it. I could even see a couple in silhouette walking down by the surf hand in hand. Don't get me wrong it is lovely as is...I just could see so many possibilites with this one. :~) #8690364

Debbie E. Payne June 12, 2010
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it, Dale! Just gorgeous. Yes, we'd love to learn your technique. Maybe it could be done by making a group email address with all of our emails in it and just sent it out once to the group as an attachment. That would be awesome. Is it time to do our emails over again. I had them all once upon a time.
This image is so striking - it looks like the kind of color that you would see in an active volcano. #8691204

Aimee C. Eisaman June 15, 2010
Had no doubt we'd see this one in the EP thread Dale! Way to go! :~) #8696908

Jeff E Jensen July 12, 2010
Congratulations on the well-deserved finalist my friend! #8751388

Debbie E. Payne July 12, 2010
Just wonderful, Dale! Glad to see this gold image with silver under it. Gold could be yet to come, though! #8751527

Anthony L. Mancuso July 12, 2010
Congrats Dale! #8751590

Michael Kelly July 12, 2010
Awesome Dale - a big congratulations! #8752127

Dale Hardin July 12, 2010
Thank you my friends. I truly appreciate the wonderful comments, help and encouragement. #8752750

Kathleen Nealon July 12, 2010
Stunning. Congrats! #8752805

Aimee C. Eisaman July 12, 2010
Congrats Dale a serene scene so inviting to a finalist! But wait....it's missing something....LOL :~) #8753656

Jeff E Jensen July 12, 2010
So, I just read back through the comments on this image. Dale, I think it is funny that you stated early on in this thread that you hadn't perfected this technique and were still experimenting. #8753659

Dale Hardin July 12, 2010
Kathe, Aimee and Jeff, thanks so much. LOL Yeah Jeff, I'm still working on it! :o) #8754689

Susan M. Reynolds July 12, 2010
Knew this was destined for greatness - Kudos on your Finalist! #8755188

Jeana Clark July 12, 2010

Wonderfully composed Dale with fantastic light, details and color!
Happy to see this one again!!!
Congratulations for
this outstanding Finalist!!!
~J~ #8755252

Teresa H. Hunt July 12, 2010
Congrats on your Finalist!! #8755455

Patti Coblentz July 12, 2010
Beautiful Dale..congratulations on your finalist! #8755590

Rita K. Connell July 13, 2010
congratulation Dale #8756398

Dale Hardin July 13, 2010
A huge thanks to Susan, Jeana, Teresa, Patricia, and Rita. You've all made my day brighter with your kind comments. #8758076

Nancyj E. Hovey July 14, 2010
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S
on your very deserving FINALIST! 8o) #8761661

Dale Hardin July 14, 2010
Thank you Nancy. Loved your gallery and was very impressed with the great POV you had with "FeatherBED" Excellent shot. #8762359

Merna L. Nobile July 16, 2010
BEAUTIFUL! Congratulations on your Finalist Award for June, 2010. Merna #8768974

Dale Hardin July 17, 2010
Thank you Merna. Loved your gallery and especially around my favorite areas on the central coast. "Avila Beach" was a good example. Also loved the church in Palo Alto. Hope to get back up to Cambria and Morro Bay again soon. #8769580

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