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This is the last of the images I'll be posting from my recent trip to the UK: another shot of this rig/structure, currently sitting in the middle of the beach at Thornton Cleveleys (a couple of the miles up the coast from Blackpool). I'm not sure what purpose it serves, but it's positioned where the Riverdance was stranded in February 2008. From what I can remember there was a sewerage outlet somewhere nearby, so it may be that the rig is being used to make repairs to that structure. Anyway, whatever it is, I don't imagine it will be there forever, so I'm glad I had the chance to photograph it when I was back.

In terms of the shot itself: the thing I like about this one is the very large depth of field, which probably wouldn't have been possible with my DSLR, at least not without upping the ISO to allow me to use a much smaller aperture. As with my previous shot though, I think a square crop would probably have produced a better composition, but I quite like the more open feel at 3x2.

[update: I've posted a square crop version here]

If you're interested, the original 4x3 version is here:

    .../archives/untitled_0090.php

As you can see, I concentrated on bringing out the details in the clouds, and increasing the brightness and contrast in the foreground pebbles - both of which were achieved by using a variety of masked Curves. If you're interested in learning more about the techniques I used with this image, the most relevant tutorials are linked below:

    Landscapes: creating dramatic skies
    Toning colour images

captured
camera
aperture
shutter speed
shooting mode
exposure bias
metering mode
ISO
flash
image quality
RAW converter
cropped?
1.12pm on 4/9/09
Ricoh GR Digital III
f/4.4
1/400
aperture priority
+1/3
evaluative
64
no
RAW
ACR
3x2
 
3x2 + beachcombing
comment by shooter at 06:56 AM (GMT) on 9 September, 2009

You will no doubt have created a sudden rush for the ricoh compact given the quality of the last few posts, I guess you like the similarities between the rig and the outstretched metal work, a lovely shot, although it appears you included the upper part of the metal work in the cloud curves as it seems to have no detail...

comment by djn1 at 06:59 AM (GMT) on 9 September, 2009

shooter: it's a good camera, so I have no hesitations in recommending it. As for the metal work: it was masked, but there's very little detail in the original either.

comment by Catalin at 07:28 AM (GMT) on 9 September, 2009

I really think the square crop works a lot better. The 3x2 one just seems to be a bit too center-heavy. The details in the rocks are really good...

comment by Alex D at 12:23 PM (GMT) on 9 September, 2009

I like this image, but I think it could have been stronger if the metal piece on the beach was composed farther left in the frame, so that the rig is to the right of it.

The metal is leaning away from the rig, which gives the composition this open and detached feeling.

Then again, I wasn't there, so composition comments may not be warranted.

comment by Carlos Garcia at 01:34 PM (GMT) on 9 September, 2009

Ahhhhh... the beach again.

Wonder what that piece of... metal?... is attached to? Maybe it's the drain plug of the planet.

Love the muted colors and feel.

C.

comment by BoB at 01:37 PM (GMT) on 9 September, 2009

I like this composition with the twisted pale in the center of the frame

comment by Dan Kaufman at 02:21 PM (GMT) on 9 September, 2009

I like the pebbles. the color palette.

comment by Dan at 03:43 PM (GMT) on 9 September, 2009

Very nice shot David! The depth is huge, yet you still capture so much detail in the tiny pebbles on the beach. As always amazing work. I definately need to check out your tutorials so I can borrow some of your post processing mastery!

comment by Roberta at 10:19 PM (GMT) on 9 September, 2009

I love the almost painterly feel this has. A beautiful image.

comment by Chris at 04:12 AM (GMT) on 10 September, 2009

I really have enjoyed these three beach images. I really liked the choice of color toning and how you brought out the level of detail from each one. I would have to say of the three, this one is my least favorite. Perhaps I would like it more if the twisted pole was captured differently. My opinion, it seems that the pole should not have passed the horizon and so far into the clouds. Thanks again for introducing us to the new camera and for giving your beach photo fans some more of your beach images.

comment by Olivier Jules at 06:59 PM (GMT) on 10 September, 2009

very nice shot

comment by djn1 at 07:06 AM (GMT) on 13 September, 2009

Thanks everyone :)

comment by silfver at 03:18 PM (GMT) on 14 September, 2009

Hey Dave. Don't take this the wrong way. But this to me is a really bad photo. Usually when I'm looking at your pictures you make me feel something. Most often they make me smile, which is a very good thing. But this is... I mean. It just feels very flat. And the iron in the foreground feels misplaced. Even if you removed the bar it would still - in my opinion - be a bad photo. There's no meaning, feeling or thoughts behind this. This photo gets 1 sec of attention before i click it away. Only this time I felt like give you a comment about it.

I know you can a lot better.

/Daniel

comment by Marcel at 08:13 AM (GMT) on 15 September, 2009

Beautiful

comment by Markus Spring at 06:09 PM (GMT) on 19 September, 2009

For me this works. The light and reflection on the stones, the overall light tones contrasting with the technicality of the subjects, the bent iron, old and unused, against the straight rig. Yes, definitely working for me.