The Image: This is Lizard Head Rock whick I entered in the Best of 2006 challenge. Went back there at 5:45am this morning to get some shots and got some nice stuff as the sun was coming up.
Used a slow shutter speed for movement (1/3 sec) and a small aperture (F20) for crispness and depth of field. I wish you could see the detail in the full size image. The blown out highlights from the sun on the left bother me, but nothing much I could do about that.
The Edit: Grayscale, Duotone, RGB, Levels, USM, D&B not in that order. Used Noise Ninja over the sky. I really worked the image using sharpening and d and b. Got the most I could out of it to increase the textures and contrasts between the sharpness and the softness.
The Prediction: Over 6????
Post: Well, thanks everyone! A personal best and a BLUE ribbon to start the year with...wonderful!
My last ribbon of the 8 I won in 2007 was on September 2, 2007. I thought I would never breakthrough. From November 20th to January 6th I have placed in the top 10 seven times, with two fourths, two sixths, a seventh in there. So this is a really pleasing result.
Here is an outtake image:
And here is another:
Just a little funny story about this image: When I got to the beach at twilight, I was alone on this huge expanse of sand and sea, no one in sight and just the sound of the waves. I ran towards the rock as fast as I could as I wanted to get some great light, and as I came to a rock ledge, there were about 6 very suspicious guys with backpacks sitting on the rocks waiting for something or someone. I thought: I am a gonna here. These guys are going to clean me up and throw me into the sea. I think they were illegal abalone divers.
I said a nervous 'Hi' and they watched me walk past them all the way to Lizard Head Rock. I was nervous the whole time, but eventually the early morning walkers and their dogs started arriving. Phew!
I had ALL my gear with me in my bag. Next time, I don't think I will go alone. I will drag someone out of bed as my protector...Sarah, my 16 year old daughter... :)
Statistics
Place: 1 out of 188 Avg (all users): 7.7683 Avg (commenters): 8.5000 Avg (participants): 7.4928 Avg (non-participants): 7.9684 Views since voting: 19854 Views during voting: 362 Votes: 164 Comments: 109 Favorites: 74 (view)
NEW SHERPET 'JEWEL' AWARDS TO THIS AWESOME IMAGE IS ONE OF THREE THAT I AM GIVING MY SHERPET 'JEWEL' AWARD OF EXCELLENCE DUE THE THE TALENT AND AWESOME PHOTOGRAPHY FROM THIS PHOTOGRAPHER... FROM SHEZ...
Congatulations...it was the obvious blue. Just perfect. I like your story. I bring a little can of pepper spray with me when shooting in lonely or frightening places - unless my 6'2" husband is with me - especially if he's in his tutu (then I KNOW no one will mess with me)! **** Back again. Just noticed this is a new PB for ya. Double congrats!!
Well done Enzo, a well deserved personal best for an amazing image. I have been looking to capture something in this spirit, I am thinking more and more of getting that 10-20 lens :o)
I loved the photo during the challenge (gave you a seven). It wasn't my pick to win, mainly because I felt that the contrast portion had a lot to do with the post processing (dodge/burn). Still you can not deny the beauty of the photo. Incidentally I would have given it a higher rating in FS.
Also, on a side note, I especially like your first outtake, even more so than your entry.
Absolutely stunning image, Enzo. If Nick Brandt took landscape/seascapes - he'd wish for the book cover to look something like this. Straight into my fav's.
Congrats Enzo
being a Melbourneite and a frequent peninsula visitor i must admit i havent been there
i might have to drop in on Friday when i'm down that way
congrats again on the blue ribbon
Love the tones and composition of the shot. Like how you've burnt the bottom part of the shot, have mixed thoughts about the top right part though. But it comes together quite nicely. Top10 fave.
8 - Wow, excellent use of contrast all through the image. Looks like a beast arising from the sea. Really like the shoreline. Tones are very nice. Good qualities in this image make me almost not notice (or care) the horizon (just a personal thing). Guessing the gradient upper right is color in the sky.
Outstanding photograph. This to me is a masterclass in texture and lighting! Everything from the sharpness of the foreground sand to the details of the rock look amazing, with light and texture changes all over the place. This is one of those photos I wish I'd taken :) The only thing I think that could improve this photo would have been a more interesting sky, but hey, just being nitpicky.
Ooh da looly, I'll look for this on the homepage.
Edges look a bit over vignetted to me, but maybe that's just my opinion. At the same time that I like the editing, I don't like it. I like it because it draws me into the image and has a great tonal value and emotional impact. But I don't like it because it looks unreal. The edges really that dark? The sand really that bright just right there? The lighting on the surf really like bright on one side and faded on the other? Really?
Nitpick: the title could be a lot simpler imho. Something like "Lizard Rock" or "Between" would have sufficed.
Another nitpick, rock looks oversharpened. All that being said, I love how this image turned out, and I'm sure the rest of DPC will as well. And that's why I say I look forward to seeing in in the top 3. I hope to join you there, but I guess we'll see.
Between a Sharp Rock and a Soft Place: Lizard Head Rock, Rye
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