Cliff and the Shadows: It's probably obvious to most that we need light coming from the right direction to get good shots. In some cases that may mean going at the right time of year...

R.G. Loc: Scotland

It's probably obvious to most that we need light coming from the right direction to get good shots. In some cases that may mean going at the right time of year or perhaps just waiting for the right time of day. That's true in general, but it's especially true where cliffs are concerned.

I thought I'd post a couple of shots that show the difference between shooting cliffs at the right and the wrong time of day.

(The only factor I'm trying to demonstrate is the negative effect of the deep shadow on the cliff face in #1. I'm not trying to compare any other factors. Not only is the lighting different between the shots, the weather's slightly different and the sea is different due to the tide being different. #2 is not an attempt to present a perfect capture of the scene, but it's sufficient for the purposes of making the comparison).

(Apologies to those who were expecting the pop group

).
.

#1 - Sun behind the cliff. Cliff face in shadows.

(Download)

#2 - Sun coming from the side (same spot, lower tide).

(Download)

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

I would almost argue that the first photo makes for a more dramatic portrayal of the scene. Given that our eye would be seeing everything in the shadow area just fine, but which the camera has lost in the shadows. I think that lifting the shadows in post processing, gives one a pretty realistic view of what was actually seen. Of course that can be easily overdone, resulting in an unnatural look.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Great illustration of your point!

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Good illustration, R.G.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

fergmark wrote:

I would almost argue that the first photo makes for a more dramatic portrayal of the scene. Given that our eye would be seeing everything in the shadow area just fine, but which the camera has lost in the shadows. I think that lifting the shadows in post processing, gives one a pretty realistic view of what was actually seen. Of course that can be easily overdone, resulting in an unnatural look.

Thanks for your comments, Mark. I agree that shadows can be dramatic, but they can also be overdone. In that shot they result in a large, impenetrable and detail-free area that I suspect most would say is too much. Apart from that it's a cliff's face that gives it its character (rugged, precipitous), so it would seem to be a loss if it was excessively obscured. As you point out, PP can lift shadows, but only to a point, and it's a struggle getting it to look natural or even just believable, and noise can be a problem.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

yssirk123 wrote:

Great illustration of your point!

Thank you Bill and John.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

R.G. wrote:

It's probably obvious to most that we need light c... (show quote)

To my eye, I think you opened the shadows a tad too much.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

traderjohn wrote:

To my eye, I think you opened the shadows a tad too much.

This thread isn't about opening the shadows.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

R.G. wrote:

This thread isn't about opening the shadows.

LOL

R.G. Loc: Scotland

traderjohn wrote:

To my eye, I think you opened the shadows a tad too much.

To iterate what was said clearly in the opening post, this thread is about avoiding shadows at the time of capture. It has nothing to do with PP.

You described the discussion in my last thread as "chatter". If that's what you think of this thread, there's nothing stopping you from going elsewhere.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

R.G. wrote:

To iterate what was said clearly in the opening post, this thread is about avoiding shadows at the time of capture. It has nothing to do with PP.

You described the discussion in my last thread as "chatter". If that's what you think of this thread, there's nothing stopping you from going elsewhere.

That was then this is now. To be quite honest I don't remember our last get together surely not enough to quote a word. I think you elevate ..anal, to new heights.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

traderjohn wrote:

....I don't remember our last get together surely not enough to quote a word.....

I remember it quite clearly because I got tired of having to deal with your off-topic and frequently insulting comments. Your fondness of insults indicates a type of ignorance that I'd rather not have to deal with. If it smells of troll and sounds like troll....

traderjohn Loc: New York City

R.G. wrote:

I remember it quite clearly because I got tired of having to deal with your off-topic and frequently insulting comments. Your fondness of insults indicates a type of ignorance that I'd rather not have to deal with. If it smells of troll and sounds like troll....

I'm glad I left such an impression....again I will refer you to ...anal. So sad to have something like that as a memory.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

traderjohn wrote:

....So sad to have something like that as a memory.

From what I've heard about you, I'm not alone.

bertloomis Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

I wonder if both of these would be better in horizontal format?