To Rock ... or not to Rock?

[Mad Aussie]

That's not really the question. ;)

After processing this one I'm completely torn as to whether it's been successful or not. It's an HDR but, as with many of my HDR's, I took the shots handheld (without tripod) and suffered a bit too much movement between frames. The end result is that the left of frame was a bit blurred.
I've applied some processing that has created an almost subtle 'zoom' effect but I can't decide if the image is really a keeper or not.

Thoughts please?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3506/3882890042_d8447e5f26_o.jpg

[jjeling]

MA, I love this image, I would love to see it without the HDR processing. The left part of the image does kind of ruin it. Im assuming the left side of the image is blown out which is why you chose the HDR route. I might try just aligning a couple images and cloning the sky in. It is cheating a little bit but it works sometimes. Either way, I like what was going on here, but you are right, the left side of the image kind of kills it. Still looks like a fun place to be.

[kat]

Maybe even trying a falst HDR. Nice image!

[Mad Aussie]

Thanks JJ and Kat


I might try just aligning a couple images and cloning the sky in. It is cheating a little bit but it works sometimes. Either way, I like what was going on here, but you are right, the left side of the image kind of kills it. Still looks like a fun place to be.
I did align where I could and then blended through sky from one of the images I used for the HDR. In the end it's the best result I could manage.

[Mad Aussie]

This is another view of the same spot JJ. This time I was under that rock ledge.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2578/3882911846_5b93e4682b_o.jpg

and a BW version I played with ...

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u104/Mad-Aussie/09%20photographyca/july-dec09/bw_MG_3440.jpg

[Mad Aussie]

Here's the original of the 1st shot you asked about JJ

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u104/Mad-Aussie/09%20photographyca/july-dec09/_MG_3438-2.jpg

[Mad Aussie]

I have this version also in which you can see Richy leaning against a rock in the background but in front of him, if you look closely, you can see Leanne and Chantelle kneeling down annoying a 'cluster' of starfish ... or perhaps it's a 'school' of starfish?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3502/3882410127_991c98d46a_o.jpg

[jjeling]

Love the 2nd and 3rd images here. These are something I would be hugely proud of. Good job here MA. Some really good eye candy here.

[Mad Aussie]

thankyou very much JJ

[jlabel]

I liked the second picture more, the first picture you have some odd bluish color cast

[Mad Aussie]

The HDR merge tends to put in a bluish cast where shadows were. I usually take time to remove it where I can.

[Photofun1970]

I love the zoom effect. It feels like you're being sucked into the frame.

[Marko]

Shot 1 and all it's variations is an exciting shot. Unfortunately I noticed the blur at left immediately; for me it reduces its quality.

Ist colour shot in post 5 rocks hard :highfive: I'm nitpicking here but to improve that shot even further, to my eye, the foreground rocks at bottom (leftish side) are a wee bit muddy and could use a slight contrast boost (perhaps they were overdodged?) and more sharpening. The hill in the background at left could also use a contrast boost and a sharpen.
Hope that helps - Marko

[Mad Aussie]

In the end I discarded this shot. It just never felt right. The zoom effect etc was appealing but it was what it was in the end.