This is a true HDRI from 4 RAW exposures, tone mapped in Photomatix Pro, exported to PM7
Almost no PP on the tone mapped image; a hint of levels, some dodging and burning lower left, dust cloning, plus the gulls.
Multiply layer created, gull selections hand-drawn in PS on this layer, painted with black brush at opacity 70% to create gull silhouettes.
Resize, USM, border, save for web.
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I like this for the extraordinary reflection, and how the sky lives on two levels here. I am inlined to believe I'll be scored down for having "painted" the sky into the water, but it's actually there in the original capture, it hasn't been manipulated at all beyond the tone mapping.
This is also an example of tone mapping that isn't glaringly obvious to the naked eye, and that pleases me :-)
I hope I don't get dinged for this being very similar to my previous blue ribbon (same location exactly) but the sky was so extraordinary and I had very little time to go elsewhere (this location is only minutes from my house), so what we see is what we get :-)
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Wow, thanks for all the lovely comments and a new personal best score for me. Merry Xmas to all!
Statistics
Place: 2 out of 123 Avg (all users): 7.7074 Avg (commenters): 9.2941 Avg (participants): 7.4265 Avg (non-participants): 7.8020 Views since voting: 23357 Views during voting: 613 Votes: 270 Comments: 110 Favorites: 92 (view)
Congratz on this winning image. I really love it. I love that bleak,barren, wintry wildness of the open country that this possesses in abundance. I looked at your portfolio and i really love your HDR work.
yes Robert, I see what you mean now. This is so good it must have stolen your interest from that other "outtake" shot. This photo seems to flow out towards you! must be those darn clouds again - great work. Those flying birds also adds life to the composition.
EDIT: I have just only noticed that you bagged a red ribbon with this photo (slaps self for not noticing earlier). Guess you don't really needed my comment to tell you how good this shot is! Congrats :)
Not sure if i'm stoked about the HDR (mostly the lighter tones in the cattails looks a bit off to me)...but nonetheless great landscape. You know how to catch em perfectly. I like it a lot. Wish I could get somethin like this.
I gave this a 10. I really love this shot. Dramatic sky and wonderful reflection. I never even thought you had painted in the reflection...it looked natural to me. I am jealous that this is only minutes away from your house. For me to get something like this I have to drive at least 45-60 minutes. You have inspired me to do HDR and tonemapping. Thanks for your help on PP.
Congratulations on your well deserved ribbon. Great image to keep on looking at... And it's really great that its adjustments/manipulation have been to a minimum.
Congrats on your red :o) Now you have all the colors on your front page, well done... This was one of my 10´s in this challenge, absolutely love this picture.... Happy holidays :o)
Bear!! Congratulations!! 7.7!!! I'm so not surprised. I was one of your 44 Tens!! Wow! This will be a WONDERFUL picture to have at the top of your profile for a long long time, won't it!
Didn´t vote in this challenge as usual when I enter but if I had, I would have instantly recognized this as your work Robert, I REALLY like this and glad it ribboned, congrats on that and your new personal best score, added this to my faves and would have given it a 10.
Well- - I gave this a 10, but had I known it was yours... ;-P
Congrats bear! Probably couldn't ask for a better finish since this gives you one of each! Also, this challenge had your name written all over it. Beautiful image, expertly processed, well-deserved ribbon for a highly deserving, accomplished professional. Merry Christmas, Robert!
Hey, I know this location! Great shot, great processing, congrats on the score and the ribbon. But what I want to know is how you got a dynamic (birds) with four shots to be so clean!
Congrats Robert! The three gulls, and especially the one in the slice of orange gives this photo the dynamism of "sky", not merely the stunning colors. Lovely capture.
Nice job Robert! Beautiful shot; congratulations on the ribbon. Looks good next to my tone-mapped shot on the Canon 10-22 page, but I'm mad at ya for kicking down my Bass Harbor Light a notch ;)
Wonder photograph and have to agree with you, the extraordinary reflection. Great job an a great example of HDRI. Man, you know how to take the picture and bring out the details. A well deserved ribbon with a score in the high 7's... Would of loved to have seen this hit an 8.
I see you have your DSLR back! And and new computer to use it with as well. Killer images to begin with, and PP is your own brand of digital delight. Big congrats on the red.
Robert, how wonderful to score so high in your own mileu, and such a spectacular image. I am often offended by HDR, because it doesn't "look right", it's not what light "does", and your superclean pic feels very natural. The birds really make it for me, so close to the horizon. Congrats on the ribbon in such brilliant competition.
Congrats Bear! :) One of my top picks for the challenge... glad to see the voters agreed with me on this one! I have to agree with you that I like how this isn't a glaringly obvious tone mapping. Wonderfully done and a well deserved ribbon!
Excellent composition and color. The sky is amazing...it's always interesting how the reflection is always so much more dynamic than the real thing. Great job!
Wow just beautiful. Not sure how much editing was done, but it doesn't look like much, just a great shot, love the reflections and colors. Beautiful work.
wonderful control of color managment. The amounts of blues are perfect for the amounts of orange giving to the sky and the reflection on the water the key for this photo. Nice, simple and a lot of knowledge about photography are shown here. Congrats
This is a stunningly well done shot. I think this will be on the front page. Well done and nicely porcessed. Would make a wonderful print for an office.
Robert-This is one of your best. I enjoy that it's more realistic than most. It has a peaceful, soothing winter feel and the three circling birds add that tender touch of warmth to it's cool, sweeping vastness. A great spot, I hope to see it in person one of these days. Cheers!
Bear? Either way, this is the best of the challenge. Very nice work in using the rule set, yet still preserving the integrity of the image and photography. This has to be a ribbon winner.
Winter Sunset
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