A beach path

[Phoenix]

I have gone out several times now, chasing the full moon as it sets on the ocean just as the sun is coming up the other side of the world.
Seems to me that you can't ever get a decent shot of a moon setting over the ocean. Am I wrong?
Oh well, took photos of this path lined with moon flowers with the pink cloud streaked sky.
Decided it had enough line and contrast to try it in bw as well. What do you think?

Don't hold back now.
Beach path black and white hdr by Joanne, on Flickr

Beach path by Joanne, on Flickr

[Pete]

I like them both very much.

Pete

[Phoenix]

Thanks Pete.

[Isac]

Now here's the thing. #1 I love the light that you've got, it shows a great deal of detail in all elements. However the horizon is 1.2 degrees out. Also I noticed heaps of dust bunnies in the sky on the right hand side. What alarms me most of all is that someone has removed and absconded with the sign! Just for the hell of it, I'm going to post (soon) a really easy method to straighten horizons.
PS - the colours in #2 are fabulous.

[Phoenix]

Oh *sob*.. dust bunnies...went out and shot the moon this morning at f20 in pale light...dust bunnies... it's dreadful.
Tried cleaning it myself a year ago and made such a mess of it.
Took it to a professional who said they have never seen a dirtier sensor in their life!
Thank you for your most helpful and honest criticisms. :-)

[Isac]

You're welcome Jo. And thank you for taking it in the same spirit as it was intended.

[Alan]

Looks like whoever took the sign in #2 also removed the dust bunnies (or it could just be that my poor eyes can't see them), and corrected the horizon. Nice of them

I prefer #2 - nice colour and curve.

I like to make my B&W skies more dramatic - (I blame Charles), but soft and subtle is just as valid

Cheers

[Phoenix]

Thank the lord for the clone tool and the arbitrary rotation device.
I agree about the contrast in the clouds. I did try to make those clouds a little more dramatic.. but you know ... they just wanted to stay soft and mellow. A lot like me.
Maybe it is that the tones are too similar a shade in them? Perhaps if I'd deepened some of the colours in lightroom first?
I will have a play later.

[Alan]

I had a bit of a play if you are interested Jo

[Phoenix]

Always love seeing your take Alan.

[Phoenix]

I left the sign in but straightened (1.2 degrees) and removed 100 of the most noticeable dust bunnies in the BW.

[Pete]

I left the sign in but straightened (1.2 degrees) and removed 100 of the most noticeable dust bunnies in the BW.

I got rid of the dust bunnies by cleaning my screen. Although they do show up on the Mac. But seriously who cares. They are very nice shots, where did the sign go the leaning old sign looked in place and added to the story. IMO anyway.

[Phoenix]

Thanks for that Pete, in the BW version the sign isn't too bad, but the colour version its rather a bright colour that doesn't fit too well so I removed it.
Dust spots.. I do care.. My laptop is not so great, but when people are using large nice screens they do look ugly and detract from the overall quality.
Isac is rather brutal with me... and that's just the way I like it. :-)

[Isac]

MMMmmmmm me too!

[Pete]

What Isac said, I think!!!!

[Alan]

Here you go Jo Maybe a bit too dramatic? But shows what's possible (if you want drama)

[Phoenix]

Thank you for taking the time to show what you can do.