Dawn & the lighthouse

[Didereaux]

Not really a lighthouse, just a replica at one of the parks. But photogenic!

 

[Didereaux]

bump because of the outage

 

[ZombiesniperJr]

Nice shots

 

[SquarePeg]

For me, the first shot has too much dark nothingness between the nice water reflections and the pretty sky. Also the tower seems to be leaning a bit. The second one is a pretty silhouette with great sky but again too much undefined darkness with the bushes.

 

[Didereaux]

For me, the first shot has too much dark nothingness between the nice water reflections and the pretty sky. Also the tower seems to be leaning a bit. The second one is a pretty silhouette with great sky but again too much undefined darkness with the bushes.

Although I see your point. all that dark nothingness actually existed. I was trying, and I think I came close to getting the exposure correct for accurate representation at those moments. Artificially lightening those bushes/trees makes it look ...well, artificial. Which it is .
The cropping is not ideal on either. The top one is more or less locked in because of the placement of the lighthouse and the rays of the rising sun. I moved around a lot to get shot with them closer, but all of them placed the highest bushes/trees in front of the lighthouse and cut most of it off. The second, when I go to print it will have about 15% off top and left which should improve that light dark balance considerably.

I have every intention of watching the ephemeris for a better sunrise angle and re-shooting that scene...maybe several times...it is a very peaceful place at dawn

thanks for the input.

 

[Ambient Lightscapes]

For me, the first shot has too much dark nothingness between the nice water reflections and the pretty sky. Also the tower seems to be leaning a bit. The second one is a pretty silhouette with great sky but again too much undefined darkness with the bushes.

Although I see your point. all that dark nothingness actually existed. I was trying, and I think I came close to getting the exposure correct for accurate representation at those moments. Artificially lightening those bushes/trees makes it look ...well, artificial.

Human eyes have a greater dynamic range than today's camera sensors. Personally, I always like to see details in the shadows and in the highlights. I don't think it has to look artificial. Perhaps, we tend to think that the standard dynamic range of film/digital sensor is natural. I would say that the dynamic range of human eyes is more natural. Sometimes 'the correct exposure' doesn't exist. Full-frame sensors made by Sony (Nikon uses them too) have a great dynamic range, but in cases like this, I prefer to bracket the exposures, and if I cannot lift the shadows in Lightroom in one RAW file, I blend two exposures in PS and use mask opacity slider to achieve a 'natural look'.

 

[Didereaux]

For me, the first shot has too much dark nothingness between the nice water reflections and the pretty sky. Also the tower seems to be leaning a bit. The second one is a pretty silhouette with great sky but again too much undefined darkness with the bushes.

Although I see your point. all that dark nothingness actually existed. I was trying, and I think I came close to getting the exposure correct for accurate representation at those moments. Artificially lightening those bushes/trees makes it look ...well, artificial.

Human eyes have a greater dynamic range than today's camera sensors. Personally, I always like to see details in the shadows and in the highlights. I don't think it has to look artificial. Perhaps, we tend to think that the standard dynamic range of film/digital sensor is natural. I would say that the dynamic range of human eyes is more natural. Sometimes 'the correct exposure' doesn't exist. Full-frame sensors made by Sony (Nikon uses them too) have a great dynamic range, but in cases like this, I prefer to bracket the exposures, and if I cannot lift the shadows in Lightroom in one RAW file, I blend two exposures in PS and use mask opacity slider to achieve a 'natural look'.

I believe that is what I tried to say. This photos dynamic range is adjusted to what my eyes saw!. not what the camera software says is correct.

 

[kcbrecks]

I do like the first one Didereaux. For me just the right balance between the actual and the reflection and the crepuscular rays on the right are a good contrast to the lighthouse. I can't say I have ever seen a lighthouse quite like that, it is more like and ornamental summer house. If the image was any lighter it would be just another picture, I think the lateness of the hour makes it a bit special.

 

[Didereaux]

I do like the first one Didereaux. For me just the right balance between the actual and the reflection and the crepuscular rays on the right are a good contrast to the lighthouse. I can't say I have ever seen a lighthouse quite like that, it is more like and ornamental summer house. If the image was any lighter it would be just another picture, I think the lateness of the hour makes it a bit special.

Thank you!