b top gun

On the ferry from Valdez to Whittier via Prince William Sound...it was definitely a high contrast day and voyage...a great day to be out on the water. I darkened this image some in post in order to bring out the subtle contrast in the sky. Most everything about this shot was a challenge. The clouds got my attention initially, then the patterns on the water. Gotta have some clouds to give character to an otherwise blah sky.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The mountains and clouds make a breathtaking, striking image.

The foreground has a textured look that, for me, distracts from the rest. As a separate image, the water patterns and textures are quite fascinating.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

I might disagree, I think the water adds interest. My quick and dirty ps edit is attached.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

One of the joys of courteous conversation on a photo forum is reading viewpoints from others, perhaps seeing something in a different way because of that conversation, and learning a bit too

Your lightening of the foreground balances the composition nicely, though the texture still bothers me because it competes for attention with mountains and clouds. Does the OP like your edit?

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

I may have overlightened the foreground. What is most bothersome to me (and it can be fixed) is the very bright reflection of the clouds in the calm water right at the base of the mountains left of center.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

I like the original best. The subdued water texture doesn't bother me in the least. I find the water texture in the second one jarring and I gave up on the picture immediately except what is that white rectangle?

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

As I said "Quick and Dirty" edit. Probably a selection error as I only spent 5-6 minutes on this image. HTH

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

As I thought a selection problem. How about completely hiding the water and focus on the mountains and sky. This makes it a panoramic image.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

I don't like it having seen the first one

b top gun

A while ago I posted an image in this section; the image was of the Alaska Range photographed from the Cantwell area, not far from the entrance to Denali Nat Pk. Someone took it upon themselves to "improve" the image by using PS and its dehazing tool. Not a good idea...because...the Alaska Range makes its own weather and at 40 miles distance there was a lot of atmosphere between myself, my Z8 and the highest peak on the North America continent. I have a print of that image, the print is 40" wide x 22" high, every time I walk by I pause for a moment...I was there; I took the shot. My copilot/navigator for the trip, when she walks past her copy of the print she has the same feeling...she was there...all that matters.

This post...y'all have no idea what y'all are really looking at because the image has been decolorized. There is so much subtlety in the original color rendering. Back lit and side lit clouds; clouds casting shadows on the sound; the sun filtering thru some of the clouds and casting a purple iridescent hue on certain sections of the water; snow covered peaks; and pockets of glaciers. I spent the greater part of that cruise on the bow deck of the ferry so I could get uncluttered vistas as we made our way to Whittier. One moment from that cruise frozen in time forever. (I posted the black and white here only because the color file is a mere 34mb in size.) I composed this shot partly because of the water conditions and what was happening at the time.

This cruise made me feel good for deciding to get a Nikon Z8 for my first trip to Alaska. There is a photo op around every curve and corner in Alaska. My old friend and I put over 1700 miles on our rental vehicle and that did not include almost 12 hours on the water of both Prince William Sound and Resurrection Bay/Kenai Fjord Nat Pk.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

What file size does your 34mb become if you resize pixel width to 2048? Chg_Canon frequently shares a link to his topic on best sizes for web; it's worth reading.

Viewers are using anything from a phone to a high res monitor. None of those devices are going to come close to the impact of a high quality 40" print mounted and displayed on a wall.

If we have "no idea" what we're viewing, how can we appreciate your photo on the yellow pages of UHH? I understand your frustration, but this is the reality of the internet: your personal, awe-inspiring, life-changing experiences are rarely going to fully translate to an electronic screen.

DanF Loc: Wichita, KS

I like this. If I were editing I would darken the sky for contrast with clouds, and lighten the highlights in the water, just the large round shapes, as someone did but without the adding texture or lightening the water itself. Since this is a forum, you get my two cents

jack schade Loc: La Pine Oregon

jack

SENSORLOUPE

I liked the first one

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

Interesting cloud shapes.