Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Taken late afternoon/early evening which I found was the best time for this type of shot at Calatagan harbour. No tripod available so trusty ol' Pentax fixed to Mrs Billy's head with discarded fishing line. The time was also convenient as the quay side bar The Blue Bliss Emporium closes for its staff siesta time. The bar of course became famous when it landed Sticky Vicky and the Softspots as its permanent entertainment act. This was soon after Vicky retired from entertaining US troops in ports around the world after unsavory rumors emerged about a certain admiral and a packet of frozen fish fingers.
Now Vicky can be seen three times a night with the Soft Spots umpah band backing up her solo renditions of sea shanties all played on the trombone whilst using her feet to play a tambourine and castanets.

For your consideration

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jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Apparently Mrs. Billy stood very still. I like your photo. The evening sky sets a nice mood, the bright colors of the fishing boat set off the otherwise bland-looking scene, and the composition is just right, I think.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Once again you found yourself facing the sun and shooting the shadow side of things. I can appreciate the difficulty in getting a usable exposure, especially since the movement of the boat would rule out bracketing. However, I think there are still some correctable flaws in an otherwise good shot. For instance, the haze would be barely noticeable if it was more consistent, but its inconsistencies make it look unnatural. And the same thing applies to the haze's inconsistent colouring. You're probably going to say that your processing was minimal and what you see is for the most part what was there, but there's something about the inconsistencies that create an unconvincing look.

I mentioned the haze in your last harbour shot, and I'm still having the same problem here. The golden haze looks fine, but the blue stuff looks out of place - it just doesn't look natural, and I suspect that the shot would be better if it was at least reduced a bit. Sometimes cameras don't do reality any favours and a bit of PP is needed to do justice to the scene.

On a more positive note, excellent subject and a great sky.

TheeGambler Loc: The green pastures of Northeast Texas

What a story-teller! Your photography skills are only exceeded by the ability to weave a tail... Ha!
Really like this one, and it has another beautiful sky! Shimmering is a good word to use.. It is even kind of fun to say.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Aw c'mon Billy, please get out there and take some pictures of these terrific boats and harbor at REAL sunrise and REAL sunset. This one was taken 10 minutes after your "In Praise of Morning Light", same scene and same boats with same sky except what that extra 10 minutes did in that late morning light and with the movement of the boats. Tell us your funny stories but don't make us tired of these boats by stretching our imaginations so far. It's still a nice image, all 3 of them are nice images, no matter when you claim they were taken, no need for all the tricks. Just snap the photo, then process it to meet the scene itself, it is SO much easier!

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Thank you for dropping by John Always appreciated

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Good morning R.G. Ya know we never used to talk about Haze and the Adobe included De Haze and we have another buzz word all of a sudden. Original Jpeg straight out of camera is included for min although my original here was processed as always from the RAW. I really cannot see blue haze my friend and certainly did nothing to alter it.
Thank you as always for taking the time to view and comment.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Would ya ol' pal Billy tell a tale? Only the truth spoken on my pages lol. Glad as always you could drop by

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Aw min this was a real sunset. It was actually the "normal" exposure shot of a bracketed set but could control the sky I found without needing the other two shots. Probably taken around 5pm. It was three years ago so memory a bit rusty. This was a forgotten file of images lurking on my PC.
Original Jpeg straight out of camera included and you will see not too many tricks used at all unless a colored filter on the shimmering bit is a trick too far? My original posted image was of course processed from the Raw file.
You know min sometimes just taking the snap and processing is just too damn easy so a little play is needed to keep me interested. All I really do is make nice images. Not over bothered sometimes about reality. John Cooper Clarke one of my fav poets wrote " I've seen the world I did'nt like it. Whats in it for me?"
Indulge an old man!!!!

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minniev Loc: MIssissippi

No indulgence here when you're playing games on us. All four of the boat pictures from the three different posts carry exif data that show they were taken less than 10 minutes apart, between 10:30 and 10:45 AM. Now granted, you may have your camera's clock set a little or a lot off, I've done that before, but it is not possible for one of these shots to be morning and one to be sunset, as they are named, they are the same set with the same boat and the same sky. I agree there are no extremes of PP doing anything in particular here, mostly brightening/darkening and some minor stuff. And the shots ARE nice. But I'd still like to see what a real sunrise and real sunset looked like with those great boats and that nice water. And tinkering with time of day would be more interesting if you'd just tell us when a shot was really taken, show us the original and show us the one where you emulated light at a different time of day, explain your steps, and let people decide if they want to try something similar. I bet you'd have some people giving it a go. Teach us how to DO something, don't just try to trick us. You have a lot of knowledge that others can benefit from, share it...

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

min I aint going to swear on Mrs Billy's life so just take it from me all were shot at around 5pm. Im keen on this snapping lark but that does not extend to getting out of bed early to catch a sunrise. As for time setting on a camera I do not think I ever do that. Use a Nikon now and I would guess time on that bears no relation to the real time. Ill check when I get home
So to anybody who want to know how this one was processed. Opened Raw file in Camera Raw then open the shadows play with contrast to get the boat looking OK. Into Photoshop duplicate the layer and a Multiply blend mode added with a layer mask to brush the sea and boat back to how it was when transferred from Camera Raw. Multiply filter adjusted with opacity until sky has some drama and color without looking unnatural. Then a Warming Color filter added to get some color into the sparkling sea again with a layer mask to paint in the effect where you want it.
Any bit of red or yellow in a sky will be enhanced with a Multiply blend mode. Lifts a boring picture out of the ordinary very often. For real drama try Color burn or Linear Burn. Always use a a layer mask and paint in the effect where you want it and do not forget opacity can always be altered.
There we are min. All explained I hope in simple terms. Remember I do not blow my own trumpet just point out decent picture making is easy with a few rudimentary PP skills. Do not think you will hear ol' Billy mentioning how clever he is. My results are just decent. Not good enough to get National Geographic knocking on my door which puts me in the same league as the Hogs who try and tell us how clever they are and think they are good photographers.
So ya got your bit of a tutorial therefore I look forward to you not being so hard on Billy. He is but a humble snapper.
I think its well known now I will help anyone I can with the small bit of knowledge I possess.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

It is not as well known as you think. I know it but others may not. And when you advertise pictures as having been shot at times of day that are misleading, emulating other times of day via post processing, it can easily confuse those who are early in the learning curve. Just be honest, please, explain things simply like you did here, and help folks learn. A silly story is good for a grin but faking times of day without explaining what you are doing is not helpful. And those boats are worth some extra trips, including real morning light.

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

Hang on, Billy, I must be a bit slow. What was that after "Opened Raw file in Camera Raw then"........?

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

Mrs. Billy did a fine job! My wife stands the same duty quite often when the tripod is in the car. She has done sterling duty throughout the USA and Western Europe. The image is a good one and the added comments about Sticky Vicki and the Admiral are interesting.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

I wish everyone was as "slow" as you. The place would be a hoot!