Laguna sunset revisited [Contest Finalists June 2010]
Uploaded: June 08, 2010 08:54:13
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
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. #8679214Rod Partington June 08, 2010
Wow! Vivid colors Dale!Dale Hardin June 08, 2010
Thanks a lot Rod. #8679855Dale 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. #8688642Jeff 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? #8688651Anthony 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... #8688762Dale 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.. #8689048Teresa 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!!!) #8689289Michael 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. #8689905Rita 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 #8689973Rita K. Connell June 11, 2010
maybe you can give us a tutorial on this new process.hint...hint!!! #8689977Dale 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. :~) #8690364Debbie 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! :~) #8696908Jeff E Jensen July 12, 2010
Congratulations on the well-deserved finalist my friend! #8751388Debbie 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! #8751527Anthony L. Mancuso July 12, 2010
Congrats Dale! #8751590Michael Kelly July 12, 2010
Awesome Dale - a big congratulations! #8752127Dale Hardin July 12, 2010
Thank you my friends. I truly appreciate the wonderful comments, help and encouragement. #8752750Kathleen Nealon July 12, 2010
Stunning. Congrats! #8752805Aimee C. Eisaman July 12, 2010
Congrats Dale a serene scene so inviting to a finalist! But wait....it's missing something....LOL :~) #8753656Jeff 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. #8753659Dale Hardin July 12, 2010
Kathe, Aimee and Jeff, thanks so much. LOL Yeah Jeff, I'm still working on it! :o) #8754689Susan M. Reynolds July 12, 2010
Knew this was destined for greatness - Kudos on your Finalist! #8755188Jeana Clark July 12, 2010
~J~ #8755252
Teresa H. Hunt July 12, 2010
Congrats on your Finalist!! #8755455Patti Coblentz July 12, 2010
Beautiful Dale..congratulations on your finalist! #8755590Rita K. Connell July 13, 2010
congratulation Dale #8756398Dale 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. #8758076Nancyj E. Hovey July 14, 2010
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N SDale Hardin July 14, 2010
Thank you Nancy. Loved your gallery and was very impressed with the great POV you had with "FeatherBED" Excellent shot. #8762359Merna L. Nobile July 16, 2010
BEAUTIFUL! Congratulations on your Finalist Award for June, 2010. Merna #8768974Dale 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. #8769580Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
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