Hi! I'm new to Fstoppers and joined to get better at landscapes. I feel like I've reached a plateau and the more I edit an image the worst it gets. Would really love some feedback and insights into how to get the image to that next level. This image has been focus and exposure stacked to get the rocks in focus and to show the detail. I've done some colour adjustments to it and applied CEP's pro contrast. Finally a curves adjustment in LAB mode. Thank you!
Maybe try to use ND and GND filters.
Hi Marco, Thanks for that. Believe it or not I did use ND and GND filters for this shot. I might have overprocessed the effect out. I'll try to work it back in. Thank you!
For this particular photo, at least for me, it comes down to composition. I think the processing is fine, but it's only as good as the subject it's enhancing. This particular composition seems a little unbalanced to me.
I hope that helps!
Thanks Jordan, I will try and work on that. Cheers mate!
Hi Adiasek,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
The best thing you've said is that 'the more you edit the worse it gets'. That's truth right there and points to you wanting the original shot to be better than it is. You're applying too much effort to processing instead of getting a great shot to start with.
Processing should be used only to 'finish off' an already great photo in my mind. You can't use it to make a poor image good or a good image great. It all has to come from good work in the field - great light and a winning composition.
The good news is that all you need to do to overcome that is get out as often as possible. Over time you WILL find those moments that blow you away, and you'll work through and discard the compositions and techniques that don't work for you, and hone in on those that do. Practice by going repeatedly to familiar places.
When you find that amaze-balls moment and get a photo of it you'll find you hardly need to do anything processing wise to make it work.
As for this image, it's not as interesting a subject as some of your other coastal shots - it's just a rocky beach. Find an interesting 'thing', get close and use it as a really strong compositional element. Think and feel about shape, line and light.
These two shots I thought were your best where you've done that really well.
https://fstoppers.com/photo/306871
https://fstoppers.com/photo/313103
You've got a good eye and technical skills - just go practice!
Hi David,
Thank you for taking the time to write such detailed feedback, even to take the trouble to view my profile to provide this. You are right, with Rhenemia, it didn't take much processing at all as the light and the tide was just perfect that day. I guess I was going down the path that post processing could create magic I didn't get in a scene, I guess I need someone to remind me that great photography comes with patience, and the core of a great photo comes from a great shot. Thanks for the encouragement I will keep trying! Thank you!
I agree with much of what has been said already. Excellent technical photos and the processing seems fine. I think its a composition issue more than anything else. It looks like you wanted to follow the standard compositional 'rule' of having some foreground/midground/background intertest with the rocks and I think, in this case, it actually detracts from the photo. There is so much amazing stuff going on with the sky - which you have captured with your technical photography and processing skills - the phot needs to be all about that. I wonder how this would have looked if it had just been water, horizon, and sky. Maybe if your cameral position had either been further out or to the left, into the water. Then the picture would have been ALL about the amazing colors you captured.
These things are all a matter of tase, however. I agree with the comments about the rest of your posts. Seems like you're doing great and need to be out there taking more great photos.
I suffer from the same issues. My friend thinks I should let the subject breathe a bit more by leaving less space on the left. I think that’s what Jordan is thinking when he says it may need more balance.