The sea recovers much better than the shore. Michael left great disaster and heartbreak behind, but it also left a grace note of worthy photographic opportunity, This is just off the North end of Tybee Island, Georgia. For me, black and white sets the tone and mood perfectly. There were breaking swells and blowing spume as far as the eye could see. The Brown Pelicans were having a field day fishing in the surf close to shore.
What technical feedback would you like if any?
Anything that comes to mind
What artistic feedback would you like if any?
I thought b/w worked here better than color (there wasn’t much anyway). Can you think of any way the b/w could be improved
Any pertinent technical details:
Camera Info: Nikon D750, HH, braced on walkway railing
Lens: VR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G
Focal Length: 300mm
Focus Mode: AF-C
AF-Area Mode: Group Area AF
VR: ON
Aperture: f/14
Shutter Speed: 1/320s
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Exposure Comp.: +2.3EV (I forgot to check it!)
Metering: Matrix
ISO Sensitivity: ISO 1000
Full frame
PP in LR/PS CC 2018, Silver Efex Pro, Camera Raw filter, TK sharpen for web @ 40%
You may only download this image to demonstrate post-processing techniques.
Phil, the drama is palpable with the pelican a fine addition that adds nicely to the story. I think b&w is perfect. The foreground action is great. The spume in the lower half looks a bit over sharpened to me and there’s a subtle ring of darkness around the pelican (best seen in the larger version) that look like a burning-in artifact. (Yes, that bit of darkness could be real and it’s just me looking for processing issues…)
Phil, what you wrote really set the stage for the my response to your image. In the wake of such fury by mother nature, yes great destruction and heartbreak… Not only does the sea recover… the pelican really tells the story for me in that, “It’s just another day” for the pelican; cruising along like he’s done every day of his life, oblivious to all that just swept through…
Technically, good choice with the b&w; the power and mood come through well. The only nitpick I have are all the dust bunnies! Sensor needs a good cleaning!
This is a really nice storytelling photograph, Phil. I think the composition works well and that the processing is headed in the right direction. You could consider brightening the whites and adding contrast in the water. I took a look at the histogram and the lighter tones are quite a ways from the right edge of the histogram. A levels adjustment - for example, moving in the white point to the left and moving the midpoint to the right - could help make the water look less grey by adding contrast. You could also consider darkening the top of the frame to help keep the viewers eye focused on the most interesting parts - the water and the pelican.
Real nice job on the repost. The contrast is much improved and the image has a lot more pop to it. This is a very enjoyable scene, and the pelican really makes it special.
