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Avila Beach, California

© Merna L. Nobile

Avila Beach, California

Uploaded: July 01, 2010

Description

"Where Fun Meets the Sun." Located along the blue Pacific, equal distance between Los Angels and San Francisco.
Settings: f/18.0 1/500 ISO800
Camera: Nikon D-700
Overcast Day

CATEGORY: Travel & Place
CRITIQUE PLEASE

Exif: F Number: 18, Exposure Bias Value: 3.00, ExposureTime: 2/1000 seconds, Flash: did not fire., ISO: 800, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 130.00 mm, Model: NIKON D700

Comments

Carla Capra Anderson July 01, 2010

Oh Merna, this is beautiful. The sky, clouds, sea, waves, pier and reflection all combined to perfection.
Thanks for sharing,
Carla #1284036

MELODIE C. ROBERTS July 01, 2010

Very Nice Merna!! #8728867

Michelle Alton July 01, 2010

An awesome capture, Merna. #8728878

Merna L. Nobile July 03, 2010

Hi Carla: I am finally happy with one of my images, thanks to all the encouragement that you have
shown me. Your are a great photo buddy. Merna
#8732109

Merna L. Nobile July 03, 2010

Hello Melodie and Michelle: Thank you both for your kind remarks. I always enjoy hearing from you. Merna #8732110

Robert Jensen July 03, 2010

I haven't seen this pier before, but your image sure makes me want to go visit it - beautiful. #8732177

Patti Coblentz July 04, 2010

Beautiful colors and light with a wonderful sense of motion, Merna!

Patti #8734119

Gail Vitikacs level-classic July 04, 2010

This is one awesome capture!!! Love it! #8734154

Merna L. Nobile July 04, 2010

Thank you Patricia and Gail for your kind words. I am always happy to hear from you. Merna #8734261

Mary L. Lemley July 06, 2010

I just love this and ALSO the STARFISH!!! You have SO many beauties, Merna. Do you use a macro lense??? #8739024

Maxine C. Schnitzer July 07, 2010

Beautiful seascape here, Merna. The color of the sky together with the green of the water and the textures of the pier make for a visually powerful image. Well done! #8740062

Merna L. Nobile July 08, 2010

Hi Mary: Thank you for taking the time to leave me a very comment. Merna #8742887

Merna L. Nobile July 08, 2010

Hi Maxine: Thank you for the really nice comment. I have been enjoying all of your wonderful images in the club gallery. Thank you for being a WEYG member. Merna #8742890

Rich Helmer July 12, 2010

Awesome shot!!!! Very cool!!!! #8753499

john forrant level-classic August 16, 2010

Can't see much if anything to change and neither could the Editors. Maybe a touch ore of the reflection but that is really nit-picking #8840370

Merna L. Nobile August 16, 2010

Hi John: It is always nice to hear from you. I like the image quite a bit, but it must lack something. Maybe too much beach, too many pilings. Thanks for your time, Merna #8840706

john forrant level-classic August 16, 2010

Why do you think it is lacking? Because it only got an Editor's Pick? Do not forget there are something like 18,000 pics to compete against> I thiught I had a few that were exceptional but did not get past first round. The main thing is if YOU are happy with it. #8840731

Merna L. Nobile August 16, 2010

Thank you very much John. I guess I expect too much sometimes. You give good advice. Merna #8840789

Kim Andelkovic August 16, 2010

Merna I love it just the way it is I wouldn't change a thing......its a great image and congrats on the EP :-) #8840898

Patti Coblentz August 16, 2010

It is beautiful, Merna...keep re-submitting! #8840906

Merna L. Nobile August 16, 2010

Thank you Kim, I just thought maybe I had missed something. Thank you very much for your time. Merna #8840918

Merna L. Nobile August 16, 2010

Hi Patricia: Do you think that I should cut the length of the pier off and make it closer to the wave? Merna #8840922

Kim Andelkovic August 16, 2010

Merna did you take a portrait version of this cause the reflection of the pier on the sand would look awesome as well......also is the pier really looks like its just about to fall over at the end cause I'd be afraid to walk on it....lol if you wanted this image to go further maybe change the name of the tile to bent over pier of some funny name you might grab their attention.....just a thought :-) #8840924

Merna L. Nobile August 16, 2010

Thanks Kim: The pier is built in an off-set style, why I don't know. Maybe because it is in California. ha ha
Thank you for the portrait idea, will give it a try, and it could use another name. Your the best, Merna #8840940

Maxine C. Schnitzer August 16, 2010

You know Merna, I love this image and said so when you first posted it. Sometimes I just don't get what the judges are looking for. They seem to award Finalists to some of my images that are my least favorite and those that I'm really proud of don't get past Editors Pick. I agree with John. What matters most is how you feel about the image. But also take a look at how many positive comments you recieved from the BP community on this one! I LOVE it! #8841056

Merna L. Nobile August 16, 2010

Thank you so much, Maxine: Your are right about all this, I can sleep well now! Merna #8841075

Phyllis A. Houghton August 16, 2010

Merna,
This photo is great. Focus is tops with the growth on the pilings close enough to touch, POV is great, putting you close to the water, you caught the wave just right, and the colors are great. I love the green water and blue sky. This photo is great the way it is. The reflection is good too and I would also suggest getting more of it in the photo if the opportunity arises. However, if you do that you could loose some other aspects, like a feeling of being close. So take several and submit two, if you are in Avila Beach again. It was easy to critique because it is good. #8841625

Merna L. Nobile August 16, 2010

Thank you Phyllis, you are very kind to take the time to comment. I guess, to tell the truth, I was just a little disappointed that it did not do that well. I think I was being a little selfish. I really like this image, and that is probably why I have been asking the questions of all of you. I am fine with, now, thanks to you and some other members. My best to you, Merna #8841649

Millie A. Talarico level-classic October 10, 2010

Beautiful perspective, lovely colors, fantastic oceanside capture,Merna!! #8958126

Merna L. Nobile October 10, 2010

Thank you for your kind words, as you can tell by the past comments, I needed to know where I went wrong. But, I like it, so that is a good thing. Merna #8958146

Irene Colling level-classic October 13, 2010

Great image Merna. Your POV is excellent with very dynamic leading lines and the exposure is perfect.

#8965095

Joannie Bertucci level-classic October 13, 2010

Sometimes we can be too critical of our own work! I for one would give anything to have an amazing, well thought out image in my gallery! The composition, details, exposure, colors, lighting...everyting is exceptional to me! #8965111

Merna L. Nobile October 13, 2010

Hi Irene: Thank you for making a supportive comment about my image of the Avila Pier. Avila Beach is near Pismo Beach, California, one of my very favorite places. Merna #8965139

Merna L. Nobile October 13, 2010

Thank you Joannie: I have been an admirer of your work for a long time. I am so honored to be included in your club. Merna #8965153

Lyn Darlington December 03, 2010

Merna this is a great image your eye is immediately drawn along the line into the scene,the colours contrast beautifully and it is sharp. It's a great composition! #9077509

Merna L. Nobile December 03, 2010

Hi Lyn: Thank you for commenting on this image as it is one of my favorites. The day that I took it, I felt that I had taken a step forward in my constant quest to make a beautiful picture. Of course, I am not consistent, and that is why I keep doing this. Merna #9078390

Dale Hardin July 01, 2011

Merna, this is one of my favorite areas to visit also. Shell Beach, Morro Bay, Avila Beach, Cambria. The entire area is a great place to visit and take images.

I really like this for the wonderful perspective you've captured. As mentioned, excellent exposure and perfect comp.

I see you asked for critiques so have a couple very small suggestions to offer. The first is my old Nemesis, level horizons. This one is tilted about 5 degrees but is easily corrected. When you do so it will require using the distort tool to correct the vertical plane of the pilings in the far left.

You will also have to crop slightly but not enough to alter your fine composition. Here's another thing you might try. Apply a selective screen blend of about 50% just to the breaking wave. This will give it more of a back lit look. An addition of a high pass filter using the soft light blend would work well also. Not much, just about 0.8 would be enough.

Congratulations on a very fine image that truly reflects the area. #9500321

Irene Colling level-classic July 02, 2011

Merna, I agree with Dale. There is a slight tilt to your photo. Not a lot but just enough to be noticable. #9501638

Merna L. Nobile July 02, 2011

BINGO! Thank you Dale and Irene, now I have the answer I have been looking for since the first time that I entered the photo in to competition. I see it now, and will attempt to make the changes that you both have mentioned.
I really like this feature in the club, and we are here to learn as well as seeking praise. It might take me a while, but I will get it fixed. Thanks for your time and expertise. Merna
#9501947

Laura Greene July 03, 2011

Merna, Congratulations on your excellent, and well thought out photo. I love your unique composition and natural colors. I can't wait to see this after the suggestions with the backlight on the wave and straightening the horizon. #9504409

Merna L. Nobile July 05, 2011

Hi Laura: I am going to start on it very soon, and can't to show it to you. Maybe I will soon be proud to enter it. Thanks for your support. Merna #9508554

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