Sunrise from White Rock, BC

[kevin99989]

The mountain was isolated, and:
- contrast was increased 60%
- clarity was increased 60%

Overall saturation increased 50%

Does the image look "fake", or contrived? There's a certain beauty in it, but at the same time, I don't want it to look "plastic". What do you think?

[Matt K.]

Ya may have overdone it a wee bit there, laddie. The saturation kills it for me. Find the sky way too yellow/orange. See what happens when you do the desaturation thingy, I think you may like it. The mood is one of solace, and the bright sky opposes this, methinks.

[Mad Aussie]

It looks like it was a great scene with those layers of cloud and that mountain sitting there but I have to agree, the unnatural looking yellow doesn't work for me either.

[kevin99989]

yeah - i thought so. I was trying to go for a warm, almost fiery mood to this morning shot, but it look a bit unnatural, surreal for sure - i'll create another one soon - thanks for the input!

[kevin99989]

ok - new one!

[thoughton]

2nd version looks much more realistic to me as well. The first one is pleasant, but as you say a bit artificial looking. I think it's not just the saturation, but the lack of similar colours reflected in the sea, or in the light on the mountain, that make it look somehow not quite right.

Love the mountain and fog though. I'd perhaps trim a bit of the OOF sea off the bottom.