Mid Afternoon: Taken an hour or so before my earlier post of 'Late Afternoon' (which sort of makes sense!). The sky was quite dark but the break was on its way and could be seen on the...

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Taken an hour or so before my earlier post of 'Late Afternoon' (which sort of makes sense!). The sky was quite dark but the break was on its way and could be seen on the horizon in increasing quantity. I thought the boat looked bent to the task of making port asap despite the imminent change offered in the sky. Your opinions appreciated. By the way, I have used some split toning to enhance the feel of this image - do you use the technique at all?

(Download)

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

Great catch and composition, the boat leaning in. The overall feel I get from the way you've handled the tones and colors is one of quiet.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Every time I read R.G.'s references to split toning, I intend to check it out in PS Elements, and then I don't. So I've opened a Google search page and will get back to you on that

What I like most about this photo is the varied distance of the wave breaks from the right side of the frame. Very dynamic feel, yet the overall scene is understated and gentle. I like it a lot.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

artBob wrote:

Great catch and composition, the boat leaning in. The overall feel I get from the way you've handled the tones and colors is one of quiet.

It was quiet Bob - apart from the waves of course and the wind! A grey afternoon with the promise of better things to come, which they did eventually. Thanks for commenting.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Linda From Maine wrote:

Every time I read R.G.'s references to split toning, I intend to check it out in PS Elements, and then I don't. So I've opened a Google search page and will get back to you on that

What I like most about this photo is the varied distance of the wave breaks from the right side of the frame. Very dynamic feel, yet the overall scene is understated and gentle. I like it a lot.

Worth looking into Linda. A lot of modern video and film pp utilises split toning.
I reckoned the wave ‘steps’ add depth. Thanks for commenting.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

magnetoman wrote:

Taken an hour or so before my earlier post of 'Late Afternoon' (which sort of makes sense!). The sky was quite dark but the break was on its way and could be seen on the horizon in increasing quantity. I thought the boat looked bent to the task of making port asap despite the imminent change offered in the sky. Your opinions appreciated. By the way, I have used some split toning to enhance the feel of this image - do you use the technique at all?

I like the progression of waves breaking from the left breaking wider as they come closer.

And i have to ask if the sailboat is sitting on the horizon what is that other thing to it’s right...also appearing to be on the horizon...a buoy? Or is it a larger ship viewed head-on that is actually more than 7 miles distant (beyond the horizon) with some of its hull hidden? if it is just a buoy at the horizon, it would seem to be an unusually large one.
A puzzlement!

Dave

R.G. Loc: Scotland

You seem to have got a handle on the most important aspect of split toning, which is that it needs a light hand. If the shot looks coloured in any way (by that I mean deliberately altered colour-wise in a noticeable way), then it's overdone. I wouldn't have known that you'd used split toning if you hadn't told us. If this was my edit, the only thing I'd do differently is lighten the dark foreground water a bit. And maybe clone out the buoy.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Uuglypher wrote:

I like the progression of waves breaking from the left breaking wider as they come closer.

And i have to ask if the sailboat is sitting on the horizon what is that other thing to it’s right...also appearing to be on the horizon...a buoy? Or is it a larger ship viewed head-on that is actually more than 7 miles distant (beyond the horizon) with some of its hull hidden? if it is just a buoy at the horizon, it would seem to be an unusually large one.
A puzzlement!

Dave

Hi Dave,
It’s a buoy, marking the sea-lane or channel. A mile or two right lies the former naval base of Portland Harbour. We see quite a few Challenger class boats along this stretch and this may be one - but my boating knowledge is limited to what’s written on the side and in this instance it’s too far away!
Thanks for you interest in this one.
Dave.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Wonderful impact on the viewer! Almost should be a painting.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

UTMike wrote:

Wonderful impact on the viewer! Almost should be a painting.

Glad you get it Mike, and thanks for commenting, it’s always appreciated.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

R.G. wrote:

You seem to have got a handle on the most important aspect of split toning, which is that it needs a light hand. If the shot looks coloured in any way (by that I mean deliberately altered colour-wise in a noticeable way), then it's overdone. I wouldn't have known that you'd used split toning if you hadn't told us. If this was my edit, the only thing I'd do differently is lighten the dark foreground water a bit. And maybe clone out the buoy.

Sorry for the late response RG, I missed your post somehow. I agree that split toning needs to be subtle in most instances. It took me a while to appreciate its value. Once it had been explained to me I began to see it in a lot of video work - not a genre I’m into, but one that can’t be avoided - the recent TV series ‘Strangers’ is a good example of heavy use.
I think the buoy is part of the scene for me - less essential for viewers I guess, and I know you’re not a fan of dark foregrounds as you’ve mentioned this before in my posts - I see it as a framing, or stopping, technique used in both photo and painted art. Of course that’s no reason to like it! Thanks for your comments, they always make me think a bit deeper.

wayne barnett Loc: Grants Pass, Oregon

Great shot. I like the progression of the waves. The ship in the background is almost an afterthought. It would be even more interesting if the shot was moved down a bit to get more of the water in the foreground. Just suggestions for future consideration.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I like this shot a lot. It's simple, yet complicated. The download is a MUST, as it really brings out the colour.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

wayne barnett wrote:

Great shot. I like the progression of the waves. The ship in the background is almost an afterthought. It would be even more interesting if the shot was moved down a bit to get more of the water in the foreground. Just suggestions for future consideration.

Thanks Wayne. I wouldn’t object to more sea - as long as I don’t have to give up sky! It’s somewhere I visit quite regularly so plenty of scope for another go at it.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

AzPicLady wrote:

I like this shot a lot. It's simple, yet complicated. The download is a MUST, as it really brings out the colour.

Glad you like it APL. It is as you describe I think - open to interpretation!