*Challenge 24-Snappy's landscapes*

[snapapple]

Waterscape, Landscape and Cityscape in shadows
San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10259356-M.jpg
Taken 10/10/04 at 4:45 in the afternoon

Cloudscape No. 1 - Mt. Miguel
taken 10/21/04
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10259358-M.jpg

Cloudscape No. 2 - Mt. Helix in the valley
taken 10/21/04
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10259360-M.jpg

[FreeUps]

Snappy, I really like that first one. The angle of the bridge is nice. The boats wake and the bird add a nice touch as well. Its a user, but I think you got better for us! Do you have access to this location again? I wan't to see where that bridge is coming from. A little wider perhaps?

The last two dont really do much for me. The clouds are nice, but there's not enough to it for me. Perhaps wider. Maybe you could even try a vertical camera position to isolate Mt. Miguel. Dunno, just throwing out whatever comes to mind.

Nice nice!
Marshall

*edit* btw I really like the colors on #1

[judyfuess]

Wow!! the First one is great!!

[snapapple]

Snappy, I really like that first one. The angle of the bridge is nice. The boats wake and the bird add a nice touch as well. Its a user, but I think you got better for us! Do you have access to this location again? I wan't to see where that bridge is coming from. A little wider perhaps?

The last two dont really do much for me. The clouds are nice, but there's not enough to it for me. Perhaps wider. Maybe you could even try a vertical camera position to isolate Mt. Miguel. Dunno, just throwing out whatever comes to mind.

Nice nice!
Marshall
*edit* btw I really like the colors on #1

Sorry, I can't get back there for a while. It's in San Francisco and I'm in San Diego. I really could not get any more of the bridge on the right side of the image. There was another pier with buildings on it on my right. There was no access to that pier for me or I would have gone there. But I did try a crop. I want to show the shadows of the tall buildings in the water, so I cropped the sky and the left side. I think that brings the bridge a little closer. What do you think?

http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10261380-M.jpg
SF/Oakland Bay Bridge and Treasure Island from Port of San Francisco
Taken 10/10/04

[wxwax]

Lovely first shot, Snapster. Me, I would try cropping out a bit of the water, which would bring the bridge closer to the lower third of the image. I wouldn't touch the sky, it's really interesting.

Something like this, maybe?

http://wxwax.smugmug.com/photos/10263705-L.jpg

[miketaylor01]

I like the first one best of he three. Great perspective. I think a crop along the lines of what sid posted does alot for the composition of the photo and would try something like this. Works alot better for me. Great shot though.:thumb

[Bodwick]

I've been reading the posts re the time shots are taken for the challenges. As I lost my vote on 22 I thought I'd point out that 24 runs from monday, October 18th at 12:00:01 a.m. nyc time, through monday, November 1st at noon nyc time.

So if your right that your bridge shot was taken on 10/10/2004...................:cry

Sry.....


But wxwax is right about cropping off the water....


Bod.

[pathfinder]

I've been reading the posts re the time shots are taken for the challenges. As I lost my vote on 22 I thought I'd point out that 24 runs from monday, October 18th at 12:00:01 a.m. nyc time, through monday, November 1st at noon nyc time.

So if your right that your bridge shot was taken on 10/10/2004...................:cry

Sry.....


But wxwax is right about cropping off the water....


Bod.


Actually because of concerns about leaf fallage, Andy said he would accept images from October 10 and after for the landscape challenge. :1drink

You can see the thread for yourself here ...
http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=30648&postcount=1

[ish]

http://wxwax.smugmug.com/photos/10263705-S.jpg[/QUOTE]


I like this crop quite a bit!

I love that city. I wanted to live there out of college a few years back but I could NOT find a job so I couldn't afford it. But if you need an assistant and have a cheap room for rent... <smirk>

Thanks for sharind Snappy. :)

[snapapple]

Lovely first shot, Snapster. Me, I would try cropping out a bit of the water, which would bring the bridge closer to the lower third of the image. I wouldn't touch the sky, it's really interesting.

Something like this, maybe?


Thanks Sid,
I guess I was too caught up in shadows of the buildings in the foreground. They are really not as interesting as the sky, as you say. I had thought of cropping right at the tail of the boat wake myself. It makes a nice lead in line for the image. So I took your advice. Thanks.
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10311604-M.jpg
Taken 10/10/04 at 4:45pm

[snapapple]

This is a picture of the San Diego Skyline taken from Coronado Island yesterday just as the sun was setting. There is some sunlight glinting off the buildings, but not very much. Comments?

http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10313969-M.jpg

[ginger_55]

It looks really good, Snappy. I thought the bird was bothering me the other day, but I was turned upside down, it must have been the water, smile, as I love the bird now.

If it were my photo, I would take see if a little burning with the thing set on 7 or so would delineate the water line from the city. That is such an unusual pretty color there, I think it is an asset in that it really is pretty and might be blurring the line between land and water.

As I said, I would only check it out with the opacity set at 7, I just did something with it set at 7, that is why I say that. I had it at 11 and it was too dark which is amazing to me.

It is a lovely picture as are the others. The others remind me of that other one you entered once. I like them especially the last one. But they aren't a bridge, bird, city, etc. Smile.

I saw you were on. I have been on somewhere all day, too tired to do anything else. Just now I found some photos I took that afternoon that I had forgotten about. I love them. So I have the one I have promised not to touch and the other two...........both of which come from a favorite place of mine. I can believe I forgot the fisherman as I had others of him that I played with. But I can't believe I didn't at least try to get the field of weeds and wildflowers with the house and the sea. I couldn't get down real close to the flowers without losing the ocean all together, I guess I just did so much that day............

I am exhausted, so is the computer, I can tell, but it is holding up much better. And tomorrow we get more memory installed.

g

[FreeUps]

Snappy, I think Sid hit the nail on the head with that crop. It's really got my attention now. We have a chellenger!

I really also like the SD skyline. I'm kinda torn, but I think I would still stick with the bridge w/ crop.

[Andy]

i don't get to comment on all the challenge possible entries ... it's great to see the spirit of community going on here.

:clap to all of you for helping, keep it up! :deal

[aero-nut]

This is a picture of the San Diego Skyline taken from Coronado Island yesterday just as the sun was setting. There is some sunlight glinting off the buildings, but not very much. Comments?


Nice skyline! I like the color that the setting sun gives to the surfaces of the buildings. The color seems to jump out at you.

[digismile]

I like the skyline except for the crane. Easy fix if you want.

I played golf several years ago, I think at Coronado Island, but I don't remember this skyline! Cities change fast ...

Good shot,
Brad

This is a picture of the San Diego Skyline taken from Coronado Island yesterday just as the sun was setting. There is some sunlight glinting off the buildings, but not very much. Comments?
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10313969-S.jpg

[snapapple]

I like the skyline except for the crane. Easy fix if you want.

I played golf several years ago, I think at Coronado Island, but I don't remember this skyline! Cities change fast ...

Good shot,
Brad

There are a lot of new buildings downtown. This is not the classic view of it though. This is kind of from the south end. The most distinctive buildings are hidden. The convention center is on the right but the lights are too bright. They blow out and ruin the picture. You know, I may take a stab at destroying that crane.:D Thanks for the ideas.
Here's another possibility.This is the Coronado bridge. Which is on the very south end of downtown.
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10319573-M.jpg

[RocketMan]

the San Diego Syline is my fav. yet lovely sense of expansiveness that a land or city scape brings to mind.

Great detail and colors, deffinately gives one the sense of an evening event.

RM

[ginger_55]

I like the skyline except for the crane. Easy fix if you want.

I played golf several years ago, I think at Coronado Island, but I don't remember this skyline! Cities change fast ...

Good shot,
Brad
Why does everyone want to get rid of the "cranes"? Seems like there is one in every cityscape. I never see it until someone mentions that we need to get rid of the crane.

Now out on a boat with the crane the subject, that is different, smile.

Snappy, I guess you need to clone that crane out of there post haste.

For some reason I find this crane thing funny. Never noticed them before. Probably weren't there with crane removal being the first thing done to a city.

ginger

Snappy, I like that photo, too. :clap

[snapapple]

Why does everyone want to get rid of the "cranes"? Seems like there is one in every cityscape. I never see it until someone mentions that we need to get rid of the crane.

Now out on a boat with the crane the subject, that is different, smile.

Snappy, I guess you need to clone that crane out of there post haste.

For some reason I find this crane thing funny. Never noticed them before. Probably weren't there with crane removal being the first thing done to a city.

ginger

Snappy, I like that photo, too. :clap

It is funny about that crane. I saw it there, but it never bothered me at all until someone pointed it out. I guess I'm just used to cranes. Like I said, most of those buildings are new. You should see the north end of town, so many new condo building going up! One day I counted 12 cranes just from where I was sitting in my car. :rofl Actually, this one is down so low that it looks quite natural, kind of like a flag pole or something similar, just an addition to the roofline. :wink

Guess no one liked the Coronado Bridge? That bridge is hard to photograph from the ground. It's so long! And it curves too. I guess it's not a bad photo, just not the best of the bunch. It's hard to beat San Francisco for skylines and bridges.

[ginger_55]

[QUOTE=snapapple
Guess no one liked the Coronado Bridge? That bridge is hard to photograph from the ground. It's so long! And it curves too. I guess it's not a bad photo, just not the best of the bunch. It's hard to beat San Francisco for skylines and bridges.[/QUOTE]

I liked the bridge, couldn't decide, then started focusing on that horrendous crane sticking out like you said, a flag pole in a large city.:rofl

I loved the colors in the bridge, and it is different. I just could not decide.

g (I liked the composition, too. On the right, I think I was not sure about the bridge not going all the way across. Wonder why andy returned the fish eye lens, I would love one. He could have given it to you, too. With these bridges, we need wide, lol. Can't always be shootin' cranes.:D )

[snapapple]

[QUOTE=snapapple
Guess no one liked the Coronado Bridge? That bridge is hard to photograph from the ground. It's so long! And it curves too. I guess it's not a bad photo, just not the best of the bunch. It's hard to beat San Francisco for skylines and bridges.

I liked the bridge, couldn't decide, then started focusing on that horrendous crane sticking out like you said, a flag pole in a large city.:rofl

I loved the colors in the bridge, and it is different. I just could not decide.

g (I liked the composition, too. On the right, I think I was not sure about the bridge not going all the way across. Wonder why andy returned the fish eye lens, I would love one. He could have given it to you, too. With these bridges, we need wide, lol. Can't always be shootin' cranes.:D )


Yeah my lens is not wide enough for these bridges. Darn! I shot most of these at full wide on my camera. That's an equivalent of 35 mm. Best I could do. I need to get back at the beginning of that bridge somehow and take it from the end going into the middle of the image. Unfortunately, it was getting too dark and I did not have time to get back to the car and drive down there before it got too dark.

[snapapple]

This is my favorite cityscape of San Diego. I liked it just as it came out of the camera except for the bright lights on the Convention Center. The city is always talking about how they want everyone to put those yellow lights and direct them down to lessen the "light polution" and then they go and put these huge white lights on their own Convention Center. I was afraid it was a lost cause, but I developed it twice; one light and one dark, then layered the two. I think it works pretty well. What do you think?

This is the original as it came from the camera.
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10368888-M.jpg

This is the final version.
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10374107-M.jpg

[ginger_55]

I don't know.

ginger

Great except for those city lights. We have those things, too. They are on sometimes when I come over the bridges. I never thought about how they would photograph. There oughta be a law!

I really don't know.

I was out shooting, just kept going ............ with Bill, he stayed with me. I did not do a good job of a sunset, was not in the right place. Then of course it got dark, no tripod. AAAAGGGHHHHH I never in a million years would have guessed we would end up shooting at all to say the least of at night.

We had his van, work van, I can't keep my tripod in there. I just pick up my camera case with my purse anymore, but I didn't think I could talk him into more than a few minutes................. and we just got home. Sunset is 6:30.
We were at breach inlet. Dolphin, couldn't catch the darn mammal, love seeing them, though.

ginger (I really don't know. Seems like there should be a bandaid we could put over stuff like that. Bright light areas, I mean.) :scratch

[judyfuess]

I like this one better, the lights are not as intense ... great shit :clap

http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10371669-M.jpg

[lynnma]

This is my favorite cityscape of San Diego. I liked it just as it came out of the camera except for the bright lights on the Convention Center. The city is always talking about how they want everyone to put those yellow lights and direct them down to lessen the "light polution" and then they go and put these huge white lights on their own Convention Center. I was afraid it was a lost cause, but I developed it twice; one light and one dark, then layered the two. I think it works pretty well. What do you think?

This is the original as it came from the camera.


This is the final version.
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10374107-S.jpg

I really like this shot snap.. I guess you have to tone the lights down a smidge but I think it's very dramatic indeed... looking forward to seeing it full size...:clap :clap

[cletus]

http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10368888-S.jpg Snap,

Would it be possible for you to reshoot this??? If so, make sure to bring a tripod, take one shot exposed normally, and imediately take another shot underexposed by about 2 stops. Then you could use Photoshop (or paintshop, etc...) to combine the two images. You would use the normal exposure for most of the image but then you could use the underexposued version to get rid of the overwhelming lights.

[snapapple]

http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10374107-S.jpg

I really like this shot snap.. I guess you have to tone the lights down a smidge but I think it's very dramatic indeed... looking forward to seeing it full size...:clap :clap

Thanks lynn,
The lights are my problem. I've already layered a dark and a light version to get this. I don't know what else to do. Maybe Andy can help. It's my favorite shot, but those lights just kill it.:cry

[snapapple]

These are the best so far.
The Bay Bridge
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10378902-M.jpg

San Diego Skyline
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10377186-M.jpg

San Diego Skyline with Convention Center
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10374107-M.jpg

Can anyone help me with how to dim those lights. I shot this in RAW. I developed two versions and layered them, but this is the best I could do. Any suggestions?

[snapapple]

Snap,

Would it be possible for you to reshoot this??? If so, make sure to bring a tripod, take one shot exposed normally, and imediately take another shot underexposed by about 2 stops. Then you could use Photoshop (or paintshop, etc...) to combine the two images. You would use the normal exposure for most of the image but then you could use the underexposued version to get rid of the overwhelming lights.

Thanks Cletus,
I could try to go over there tomorrow evening. It looked miserable out tonight so I didn't go. It drizzled off and on all day and was very grey, but then there was a great sunset. Who knew? I have to leave early to get there by sunset.
It's supposed to rain tomorrow. Have to wait and see. Is it OK to touch the camera to change the setting to an underexposure? I'm assuming if everything is screwed down tight on the tripod, it won't move. I didn't realize I had to actually shoot it stopped down 2 stops. I exposed my RAW image twice, with one darker. But, I see that didn't do it. I'll try to do this again if I can get over there on a clear evening. Thanks loads for the tip. :bow

[lynnma]

These are the best so far.
The Bay Bridge


San Diego Skyline


San Diego Skyline with Convention Center


Can anyone help me with how to dim those lights. I shot this in RAW. I developed two versions and layered them, but this is the best I could do. Any suggestions?snappy this is a beautiful shot....
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10377186-M.jpg

[cletus]

Is it OK to touch the camera to change the setting to an underexposure? I'm assuming if everything is screwed down tight on the tripod, it won't move. :nod

I didn't realize I had to actually shoot it stopped down 2 stops. I exposed my RAW image twice, with one darker. But, I see that didn't do it. I'll try to do this again if I can get over there on a clear evening. Thanks loads for the tip. Yep... RAW mode helps, but sometimes there is too much difference between light and dark in an image for the camera sensor to deal with.

Some tips for your reshoot:



If you're comfortable using your camera's meter in manual mode, that's probably the simple way to go. Just pick the aperature you want, adjust the shutter speed until the meter says you've got a proper exposure and take your first shot. Next set the shutter speed two stops faster and take your second shot.
If you're not comfortable with manual mode, just shoot in aperature priority. Shoot one shot with no exposure adjustment, and the second shot with two stops underexposure.
Here (http://ab0wa.smugmug.com/photos/3050888-L.jpg) is an image that I used this technique on.

[snapapple]

snappy this is a beautiful shot....
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10377186-S.jpg

Thanks Lynn,
I like that too. Just found it. If I don't get the lights improved, there are still two to chose from.

[snapapple]

Here's another try at this. I started over and darkened the second exposure down as far as it would go. Then I did some burning etc. I'm still going to try to reshoot if the weather cooperates, but how does this look for now?

http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10393326-M.jpg

[snapapple]

Another landscape/waterscape in Coronado
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10395272-M.jpg

[ginger_55]

I like the lavender photo right above this.

ginger (It is later now.........don't have to do anything tomorrow, not that I know of.)

What am I going to do with all those photos, geez. I have wanted marsh shots like that since I moved here 20 yrs ago. Now I have all these new shots, people won't notice, Lynn who told me not to touch the other photo that I have entered, she will not be here, and I won't know what to do. Maybe I am just tired. Sure glad the sun did come out, hope it stays out.

Oh, the lights, nope still doesn't work. Are they on every night? Can you crop that part out? Someone should invent patches we could put over stuff like that.

g again

[snapapple]

First I tried some levels and curves to brighten up this one. I think this is an improvement.
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10419325-M.jpg

Next, I found a shot of the city that I took before the convention center lights came on. The other buildings have some lights.

http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10418887-M.jpg

This is a different crop of the above shot. I'm getting so tired of looking at these skylines that I can't tell if the rocks in the foreground add or detract. I'm inclined to favor the first shot. Any ideas on this.
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10418889-M.jpg

[ginger_55]

I can't tell either, Snappy. And I am in some kind of weird mood, my advice would not be rational. Such as heavier blur on your water, you know "smooth the waters" a bit. The only problem is in the reflections, so I was thinking if you copied the bldgs and put them upside down.


The idea of just before those lights come on is great. I was wondering where you were standing to take those photos, figured that it must be dry land.

I think that without the reflections, I like the top shot best. It is a very good shot anyway, IMO. Or, I know how we just love to go back and retake a photo, but what about a time of day when there are reflections there?

I have never known a body of water that did not reflect what I wanted at a time of day, just trying to think of when that is? Maybe the water needs to be calmer, don't know.

See, I am really weird. Maybe it was staying up later last night.

This is edited in, I just saw that there is the beginning of reflections........ maybe it is a choice between the convention lights and faint reflections.

ginger

[snapapple]

I can't tell either, Snappy. And I am in some kind of weird mood, my advice would not be rational. Such as heavier blur on your water, you know "smooth the waters" a bit. The only problem is in the reflections, so I was thinking if you copied the bldgs and put them upside down.

The idea of just before those lights come on is great. I was wondering where you were standing to take those photos, figured that it must be dry land.

I think that without the reflections, I like the top shot best. It is a very good shot anyway, IMO. Or, I know how we just love to go back and retake a photo, but what about a time of day when there are reflections there?

I have never known a body of water that did not reflect what I wanted at a time of day, just trying to think of when that is? Maybe the water needs to be calmer, don't know.

See, I am really weird. Maybe it was staying up later last night.

This is edited in, I just saw that there is the beginning of reflections........ maybe it is a choice between the convention lights and faint reflections.

ginger

That's right, Ginger. The best reflections are in that shot when it's much darker. The lights reflect pretty well there, but the convention center ruined the shot. The water is rarely still here. It's not a bay. It's open to the sea except for Coronado Island where I am standing. The ferry goes across from downtown to that dock that you see in the picture. My question is, do you like it with or without the rocks in the foreground? Oh, funny you should say to calm the waters. I already did. I put in "motion blur" with the line horizontal. I tried other blurs, but they look too fake to me. This one smoothed it out but left some lines.

[snapapple]

Another landscape/waterscape in Coronado
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10395272-M.jpg

Looking back at this, I decided it was way too dark. I curved it up a bit. Like it much better now.

http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10420629-M.jpg

[miketaylor01]

Ok ive changed my mind... I like the one with the boat the best.. This latest reincarnation of it. I liked the bay bridge shot better at first but this one jumped out at me this time when I loaded this thread. Youve got alot of great shots here. Keep it up..

[ginger_55]

I like the dock, too. I like it light and dark.

It seems to be a choice between sky and rocks. I like the sky more than the rocks.

I hope someone else comes on. So we can varied opinions, I mean.

g

[ginger_55]

Ok ive changed my mind... I like the one with the boat the best.. This latest reincarnation of it. I liked the bay bridge shot better at first but this one jumped out at me this time when I loaded this thread. Youve got alot of great shots here. Keep it up..
Yes, looking back that boat shot is more intimate. Closer feel to the bldgs.
And they are in great focus.

g

[snapapple]

OK Ginger, what do you think?
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10425531-L.jpg

[ginger_55]

BAAHHHAAAAAHhaahhaaa! HA!

I was on the phone with my daughter when I saw that, I couldn't post, I have to hold the phone when I talk.

Now the second I got off the phone I am back. You know, I kind of like it, in a Star Wars way. It has a definite Sci Fi look about it. I am not a Sci Fi fan, but art can be interesting on all levels.

(How long did it take you to do that?)

The problem is, I think the judges are going to be serious about this challenge and won't be in the same wacky mood I am in. So, just me, I would not enter that, even though I suggested it, well, I told you I was not talking with sanity today.

As a landscape it doesn't do it, as something else, another category, it might fit, then I would really like it. I can't do that stuff. I have CS and all these books, you do all this stuff I can't do.

I got Elements 2 when I got my camera, just came with it, since I already had it, I never used it. I put it on my daughter's computer when I was up there. I used it, too, left the pictures I took of her and her family on her hard drive, put the ones I wanted to make sure I had on smugmug and on Shutterfly.

I would imagine that I will be up later, if you want to come on and say something I will be around.

I am having a difficult time making a choice, too. I asked my husband. He liked a sunset that I put on my comments page this afternoon, and he liked the original entry I had. Between the two, he liked the sunset best. I am confused. I don't remember what has been said about sunsets. I don't think they have done all that well. I did not put that shot up last night because it is busy. The other shot is busy, too.

Would you please go over to my comments page and look at those two. The one I have been working on all along, before yesterday, and also the last one I posted. I have traded and put the sunset on the challenge, but I can't decide. I know a lot of people have helped and encouraged me on the older one.

Well, would you just look when you get a chance, just between the two. I might get a copy where they are next to each other.

I love your new landscape, fits my mood just fine, but I would not lead with it, don't know the mood of others but it couldn't be as off the wall as mine is today. Smile.

ginger :roll (uh, excuse me, back in my corner........laughing at nothing)

[digismile]

Cool effect! A very futuristic looking city! It reminds me of the Jetsens :D . I almost expect to see a bunch of little saucers swooping around!
Brad



OK Ginger, what do you think?
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10425531-L.jpg

[snapapple]

Cool effect! A very futuristic looking city! It reminds me of the Jetsens :D . I almost expect to see a bunch of little saucers swooping around!
Brad

Thanks Brad and Ginger,
This didn't take too long. The first thing I did was blur the water. Then I made a copy of that image. Then I selected the buildings and sky over as far as the dock. I dragged that over to the new image and flipped it over. Then I moved it into position over the water. Next I reduced the opacity to make it real light so you could see the water through it. Then I cloned in some sky and buildings in front of and behind the dock at the same opacity. When I got all finished with it, I didn't like it much because the buildings were pale and blurry and it made the water seem dull and foggy. So I was wondering how to sharpen it up. I selected the water area and clicked on auto levels. That sharpened up the buildings and raised the contrast on the water so much that it ended up with these wierd colors. I didn't want to fool with it any longer so I left it like that. Hehehe. It was a fun experiment. :D

I just got back from my evening reshoot of the downtown skyline. This thread is already 5 pages long. My gosh! I'm getting too much like Ginger. :huh
Anyway, I'm going to take a look at what I've got. The convention center didn't seem as bright tonight. But, the weather was awful all day. Looked like rain but, it never rained. The clouds were so thick that the sun set real fast and there was no semi-dark period. I tried Cletus's method of shooting several shots on different fstop settings. I'll post anything good.

[ginger_55]

I see the perfect place in your landscape, Snappy, for a hover mobile. What I mean is one of those futuristic things that stay just above the surface, any surface and can scoot at good speed. I am sure they can also hold the new perfect number of kids: one and a half :rofl

There is just the place in the water, smile, I wonder how long it would take you to make one. Then you could always say you made the first......... sci fi car.

I think it is cool, too.

Will be interested what your down to earth shots look like. Can't imagine the real world competing with good fantasy. You are so good at this stuff.

ginger:thumb

[snapapple]

I'm back with some more. Some real down to earth shots. I'm so pleased. I didn't have to do anything to these. I did the RAW developing. Then some levels (just clicked auto levels), curves (just a tiny bit), and a crop on some. Oh, and I cloned out a crane.:D But, the water was pretty calm tonight and the convention center lights seemed dimmer. I think they had some big ones off or something.
Oh, before anyone says something about the horizon or water line, the shore is curved. So, both ends sort of go up where it curves back. Notice the buildings are vertical.

First two were taken just as the sun went down.
No. 1
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10441999-M.jpg

No. 2
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10442001-M.jpg

Last two were taken after the sun was gone.
No.3
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10442003-M.jpg

No. 4
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10442383-M.jpg

[ginger_55]

You GOT IT, Snappy! And I am only up because my dogs made me get up, but I am not thinking yet. So I can't answer any questions. I like all of them at this point. hehe, a couple of days ago you would have killed to have just one of them.


I love it when shots go down easy. That is an advantage on my sunset one, the one I probably won't use, LOL, but it went down smooth as ........whatever they say. Didn't do anything to it either.

Interesting about the lights being dimmer, I thought they might not be "on" sometimes, but didn't think about less bright.

(You are probably still sleeping. I know you are, if it is only 8 something here, I am glad you were able to go get those shots last night. They are great!):clap :clap :clap

g

[snapapple]

Well I have to decide. I have a little different crop on the one with the boat. And I have a new one with sailboats. Then there is always the Bay Bridge shot
that I started out with. Any comments on these?

http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10557107-M.jpg

http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10550896-M.jpg[IMG]

[ginger_55]

Well I have to decide. I have a little different crop on the one with the boat. And I have a new one with sailboats. Then there is always the Bay Bridge shot that I started out with. Any comments on these?
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10555699-S.jpg

http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10550896-S.jpg

I don't know, Snappy. I think I like the sailboats better. I like the colors on the buildings. I hope some others come in and give their opinion. I like the reflections in both photos.:thumb

Thanks, for.......
and I will look again later to see
what I think on a second time, and to
see if anyone else has been on.

ginger:scratch

[miketaylor01]

you took too many good pictures for this challenege. Question for ya.. Which do you prefer. Im still gonna give you my opinion, but it helps to know what the motivation is behind some shots because it can add alot to an image. Anyways..I think I prefer the sailboat one. Would be great to have the sailboats and the colors from the sailbot shot with the background of the other one. Much more appealing background in the first image. I think I prefer the sailboats though.

[ginger_55]

Mike, I see what you mean about the background. Here is another thing I hadn't thought about, the sailboats are going into the picture, the other boat is going out of the picture.

So, the one with the sailboats, keeps you there?

g

[Ben:::D]

Hi!, just jumping in here to throw my two cents in! :D

I really like the sailboat shot. To me, the warmer colors and the composition are just more pleasing. The only thought I have is that it would be nice--albeit a bit of work--to remove the building that is directly behind the right sailboat. If that were gone, those boats would be all alone against that skyline--which I think would be nice.

Anyway, nice work!! :thumb

here's an example:

[snapapple]

Aaaagh! You guys are not making this any easier. I've thought all the same things. I like the first one because the city is better. I like the colors in the second one. The boat in the first is going out, the boats in the second are going in... But they're right against that building. The sailboats are great! I got so excited when I saw them coming. I just kept snapping shots. But they flew through that bay so quickly. Sometimes they were in front of each other. They were against buildings. I got shots with the convention center in perfect light, but no boats. The boats are definitely better than plain water. I'm going crazy. I may not enter anything. I may go with the Bay Bridge. I may go and shoot something else tomorrow. I think there are better shots on the challenge already so it doesn't matter. None of these will win anyway. I'm so frustrated. This is such a tough challenge. :cry

[snapapple]

Ok, what about these?
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10572520-M.jpg

http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10573459-M.jpg

[judyfuess]

This is my favorite so far... you have the lights of the city with the sail boats in front! Great shot!!


http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/10573459-M.jpg[/QUOTE]

[miketaylor01]

I agree with Judy.. this is the best one. Has the good buildings and the sailboad and... Its just a plain beautiful shot. You would have made it alot uasier on us if you had posted this one a couple days ago :rofl

[snapapple]

Sorry, I didn't have this developed out from RAW until now. Needed work. Whew! This has been exhausting. I'm so sick of this skyline, I never want to see it again. :rofl I went out and took more pictures, but nothing really good. I guess this is it. Thanks Ginger, Sid, Ben, Judy, Mike, Pathfinder. Everyone! When I put this one up, I knew it was the best. It's hard to chose when they are all "not quite right". I have lots of good pictures here. I could sell any one of them. But, it's not easy to go out on any particular day and get a "special" shot. I'll post a couple of my latest just for fun.

[Ben:::D]

for what it's worth, I agree. You saved best for last on this one.
good luck!