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I've given this some soft focus treatment, inspired by the work of Baz72 and MalcolmM. I took it on Luskentyre Beach, Isle of Harris in June. It's probably the most beautiful beach in the world. I don't think I'm quite there with my processing, but it's a first effort and I do quite like the effect. If you feel otherwise or have any comments and/or criticisms, please let me know.
Many many thanks to Walter (gajewski) for his UA for Doing what men do...
Ann
| Camera: | Canon EOS 60D |
| Lens: | Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5DCMacroAsp.IF HSM |
| Recording media: | RAW (digital) |
| Date Taken: | 4 Jul 2012 - 3:07 PM |
| Focal Length: | 70mm |
| Aperture: | f/14 |
| Shutter Speed: | 1/320sec |
| ISO: | 100 |
| White Balance: | Auto |
| Title: | Summertime |
| Username: | 
AnnChown |
| Uploaded: | 24 Aug 2012 - 9:49 AM |
| Tags: | Beach, Digitally manipulated, Isle of harris, Landscape / travel, Outer hebrides |
| VS Mode Rating |
101 (66.67% won) These stats show the percentage of wins and the rating score that your photo has achieved. You can go to the VS Mode by clicking on this icon. Signup to e2Signup to e2 to see which photo this has won or lost against in the vs mode |
| Votes: | 60 |
Comments
I like the effect as well. It's a bit like one of those weird holographic postcards that you turn one way, and the subject is doing one thing; turn it another and they're doing something else. The right hand side doesn't seem quite so 'soft focus' as the left hand side - don't know whether that was intentional or not, but I prefer the left hand side. In fact, there's two distinct images in this one - the whole image as you've currently got it, and a squarer crop of the left hand side to just to the right of the band of the dark sand clump in the middle. Taking away the small group on the right, and the bright colours of their clothing, leaves the left hand side of the image strangely muted in colour but, with the walkers in the distance, gives a wonderful sense of isolation and a focal point on the horizon. Either way, I really like the way you've processed it 
The effect works well for me with a very impressionist feel. I like rhe comp and it also works as a letterbox crop.
Alun
Love it Ann very soft with minimalistic feel.
Regards
Trev.
Hi Ann something different here and it works for me good idea well executed
Graham
Hi Ann. Its good to be different and I think the composition and beach scene lends itself to this treatment but not sure that the figures look ok with the same effect. If they were sharp and rest soft focus it might be better for me but its only personal taste. However, its so good to experiment. Keep 'em coming. (composition is great) paul
I like whay you have done .... whatever it is ..
This really looks great when you hit the lights out button
Quote: In fact, there's two distinct images in this one - the whole image as you've currently got it, and a squarer crop of the left hand side to just to the right of the band of the dark sand clump in the middle. Taking away the small group on the right, and the bright colours of their clothing, leaves the left hand side of the image strangely muted in colour but, with the walkers in the distance, gives a wonderful sense of isolation and a focal point on the horizon.
Thanks for this suggestion Tanya - I like the idea of the left hand side square crop. I'll have a look into it.
Ann
I really like the effect - and would be tempted to add it as a masked layer to the original, and experiment with the different amounts of detail to bring back into the picture - you can then make up your own mind as to whether the figures should remain as they are, or have more detailed
Helen
It's an intelligent manipulation that respects the mystery of light, that's important to me. I don't have the patience to work like this but I enjoy the results when they are as good as this.
I think I'd prefer the group on the right to be a little bit softer, hazier. I do like the square crop idea too.
Moira
The fact of the near figures being less soft than the rest of the image induces a sort of 3-D effect into the minimalist scene. I rather like the effect though would not attempt to reproduce it myself. The overall composition is excellent.
I too feel that a mono version might be interesting.
Regards
Bill
Beautiful image Ann, looks a fabulous place, I love the processing and presentation.
Hugh
Love the idea as it suggests a summer heat haze. I think that there is more than one image in here with the focal points being the groups of people - I know, I had a play and found at least three before dog walking called me away. An idea to be pursued methinks.
A little golden glow maybe to make it look more summery. Maybe not this summer though.
I think what you've done is very impressive and might just try it myself, difficulty being I rarely photograph people on my beeches.
Dougie
A brilliant and effective process Ann, and a lovely shot.
John
You've certainly provided an image for debate, Ann. I like what you've done although having two groups of people does cause the eye to switch between them. Cloning out the far group would make it more balanced (for me, anyway).
Dave
I love the whole image and I love the differential softening. I've been eyeballing it at LARGE and it looks like you've done it intentionally. To my eyes, this is perfect.
As is the crop. I understand the comments on crop...BUT...I like how those short brown lines have gone into the bottom LH corner...and I like how the 'allowance of sand below' has given us a good sense of expanse of the beach. Also, the subjects are given good context relative to the scene and environment.
Bravo, I say.
I recently commented on VanillaPenguin's Lighthouse image saying I found it reminiscent of a Jack Vettriano painting. Your image makes me think of Vettriano too
Andrew
Yes the smaller cop would be nice, too. But I also like it as it is.
I might have tried 'diffusion' in the lens effects or clean without twirly ness as a prior enhancer .
Simplify might have given the groups edges... It would have left the groups sharp and clear and softened the surroundings.
Keep experimenting. My night shot was a 'simplify' conversion.
Very artistic indeed Ann, I like the feeling of isolation and vast open space, the people give one a real sense of scale
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