January 17, 2012 — Sonoma County Coast, California
Returning with new eyes to a shot taken eight years ago. I’ve just competed a series of webinars by Bruce Percy. He describes himself as a black and white photographer working in color. His sensitivity to tonal balance is inspirational and very instructive.
This shot is pretty much the same as the way I left it the last time I worked on it almost three years ago, but with minor tonal adjustments to a part of the picture that had always bothered me. Bruce’s patient guidance in tonal balance helped me to see why it had bothered me and led the way to my adjusting it to my liking.
Now that it bothers me no more, I can show it to you.
(Canon 40D; Canon EF 70–300mm f/4.5–5.6 DO IS USM Zoom. RAW processing in DxO Photo Pro. Final editing in Adobe Photoshop.)
AMAGA Photography Blog 
Beautiful! What a striking high key.
Obviously, high expectations are the key to everything.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate your play on words between high-key and high expectations being the key.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Inspired by you, Steve. You have opened my eyes in this regard and It’s a playful way of improving my English.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. It’s what I do. I know somebody else who does it too.
LikeLike
Ah, those were Dana‘s words. It’s early in the morning and I’m so punchy I forgot who said what. That’s an excellent play on words, Dina!
LikeLike
Thank you very much. If you’re going to have expectations, why not make them high? 😉
LikeLike
Now inquiring minds want to know what it was in the earlier version(s) that displeased you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The large cloud on the right just above the horizon was a bit too dark and out of balance with the rest of the picture.
LikeLike
I wonder why it would bother you… but glad it no longer does… VERY glad! 😉
[Happy June!]
LikeLiked by 1 person
The large cloud above the horizon on the right was tonally out of proportion with the rest of the picture.
LikeLike
…but no longer is! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t see anything that bothers me in this image. It’s beautiful. Or am I missing something?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Ken. No, I fixed what was bothering me so it doesn’t bother me anymore.
LikeLike
You captured the beauty in the subtlety, Michael. That sliver of light…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much. Stay tuned.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just like a watercolor wash, not a look that happens often in photography, not really. I didn’t read other comments so sorry if I repeat what others might have said. Lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s the first time that has come up in the comments. But do remember that most of my artistic influence comes from painting, not photography.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Altogether wonderful in words and photo – you paint with all of the tools…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am not sure a slightly darker cloud would have kept this on the shelf for years for me, but it does appear very evenly balanced and pleasing to the eye. It is the artist who is the final judge, not those folks in shows with opinions for example, and your satisfaction with the final outcome says that you have spoken clearly through your vision. It certainly is easy on the eyes and I very much enjoy the slight sheen on the horizon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. On this one, especially, balance was extremely important to me. I find that if even a small part of the image is an irritation it just doesn’t work for me.
LikeLike