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Alex Brouwer's picture

Folly Beach Sunset

Hey all, I'd love some critique on this shot, especially in regard to post processing. Thanks in advance!

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6 Comments

Hi Alex,
It's a bit of a challenge to understand the processing without seeing the raw file. That said the foreground blue cast seems intentional but not realistic. This is purely an opinion but the blue cast water adds- but the blue cast rocks distract. I would expect a slight blue in the rocks - this seems a bit to much.
Best...Mike

@Michael. Thoughts on this?

In addition to what was already said: I can't get rid of the feeling that horizon is not horizontal. Rotated for you a little bit:

I like the image! However Konstantin is right in that it isn't quite straight. Also the post in very muted, maybe thats the idea. If you told me this is how it came out of the camera I would believe you. I would have put some more yellow into the rocks (even more than the second edit) especially on the shells or seaweed? Id also pump up the sky! Thats my style tho.

The image is ok. I don't think it's gonna blow anyone away, but there is plenty of potential. In regards to post processing, I think everything that has been said is great advice. If you can, go back to this same spot and play with different compositions. My favorite thing to do when shooting rocky shores is to get my camera as low and close as possible to both the water and rocks. Go back when the clouds aren't blocking all the fantastic colors from the sun, but not when there aren't any clouds to capture that light. Just one last suggestion about post processing. The image is taken at sunset, which should give the image a warm tone. Your image has a cool tone, which gives the image an uneasy feeling. Try warming this image up, and maybe it might pop a little more.

Thank you all for the suggestions and taking the time to critique this! Here's an edit taking into account the suggestions y'all provided. This picture was taken much past sunset and the sky was transitioning into blue hour. I don't know how much closer I'd get here as I like the positioning of the lighthouse and I was already pretty low. Good stuff still though. I hope to be able to get back to this spot in May.