Curves on the Oregon Coast

Image Critiques Landscape Critiques
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Curves%20Large
Curves%20Large2048Ă—1047 2.61 MB
I recently returned from a 5 day photo trip with some good friends and our last evening we were blessed with some incredible light on the Oregon Coast and some gorgeous wind swept sand features. I spent quite a bit of time focused on the patterns and perspectives of these areas and would love any feedback.

ig @danhawkphotography

You may only download this image to demonstrate post-processing techniques.
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At first I noted the OOF background dune, but the more I look at it the more I like it. While we’re accustomed to seeing dune shots in focus from our toes to Mars, there’s a neat result in dropping the back one OOF. It provides a “setting” for the foreground dune while also emphasizing the great textures and light. Thanks for the demo, and I think I’ll be trying it myself on future dune treks.

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Hi Dan,

It looks like you found some great shapes and patterns.

I’d give some more space on top of the top dune so that the Main curve isn’t so close to the top of frame - free transform tool can help here.

It looks like There is a portion in the upper right corner which is over exposed and has lost detail. Bracketing would have helped here

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Dan the trip was absolutely FANTASTIC! Love this shot and here are the things I would consider:

  1. Add a bit more space to the top. That dune comes in real close and I would like to see it have more breathing room. I would see if you can get as much as you have on the right side spacing for the dune. If you cannot due to shot constraints, consider cropping IN the right side so the overall image has a bit more balance?

  2. I agree with the other user regarding the overexposed area. You could try dropping a grad and then rangemasking to only drop the exposure on that little spot? Brush could work too.

  3. LOVE the DoF and that not everything is in focus!!

  4. I may consider dropping the contrast a bit as well :slight_smile:

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I like the shapes and textures here, Dan, but I agree about lowering the contrast because for me the bright area at the top draws me away from all the other great things going on. I don’t know if adding space to the top would help, unless the light area was darkened quite a bit. I like that the background is slightly oof. And I like the dark area. Nice to know that the Oregon coast can provide this kind of setting for a great dune image.

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Beautiful light and curvy scene. I like the bright area, it is an unusual and provoking component. The whole scene, with the OOF in the back, is very abstract and the bright light plays nicely with that concept. Works for me.

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