Mexican sunset

[opus]

Can't remember if I've posted this one yet or not, but I don't think so. Correct me if I'm wrong. I've had it lying around for awhile, waiting "in queue" for its turn on the boards. Shot this back when I was still shooting jpg () in July near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

I've learned a lot since even preparing this one for posting. I don't think I did anything to this shot besides resize for the boards.

Comments?

[Tin-Cup]

what a nice shot... which can did you take this on?

it might be too dark in the shadows for some people...not me though i think youve captured the light and dark well

[villenadecorte]

Kelly,
I think the color in this is right-on, very rich. Beautiful sunset (still envying your Mexico trips!!)
I think the shadows are as close to perfect as you could get- it makes for a great print.

Cheers
VD

[Bren]

Kelly, very nice shot, I like the color and the reflection on the water. Would be nice to see that in person

Bren

[bobbythebandit]

This is lovely and so moody.Makes me feel all warm and satisfied inside.Like i am there and have enjoyed my day. Excellent.
Bobby

[Spike]

I think it is a well balanced shot, I love the warm color, lots of good contrast, not busy. The only thing I can suggest is to level it; the horizon is slightly tilted.

Spike

[Sandi Z]

Kelly - it's just beautiful. It's a real "stand out" photo as far as sunsets go. Do you ever feel like you can't look at one more picture of a sunset? This one definitely does not make me feel that way.

[frannymac]

Kelly - this reminds me of a Darwin sunset in the Northern Territory - haven't been there for years and I thought about it as soon as I opened your picture - so it must be a powerful image! I love the intensity of the colour.

I agree with Spike - level the horizon. is the boat a little soft? just a question - not a certainty.

I'm interested to know what you think a RAW capture might have done to change/improve this picture - what do you think now when you look at this image - I ask because of the way you introduce the shot - it sounds like you look at this picture now and say "mmmm this is not so great anymore" (which I certainly don't think is the case btw) - just curious because I find myself thinking this of my shots too...

[opus]

well franny, IT SEEMS that all my jpegs have been on the darkish side. Not terribly noticeably dark, I didn't see it when I first started shooting, but they just seemed a tinge grey, and when I look back on everything I took before I went to RAW, most of it just doesn't seem to have the maximum range of color that it could have. Now that I'm shooting RAW I have so much more control over the post processing that I think I'm able to make my shots pop more than I used to be able to.

A RAW file captures every piece of information there is to be had in a photo. But if you shoot jpeg, you're converting the RAW data inside the camera, translating and "flattening" the information according to the camera's presets, and you're just losing information.

Am I answering your question? Or are you asking specifically about my shot? I think I'd have gotten perhaps a bit more of a color range in the RAW file. Just a little more to work with. It might be my imagination but I think maybe it would still be rich color but slightly less dark. I don't know. I guess because I know it was shot jpeg I'm devaluing it in my mind.

[Tuna]

Not too dark. To me, shadows aren't shadows when they are this strongly back-lit - they are silhouettes. And the boat and strip of land are perfectly composed for us to enjoy the vibrant sunset you have captured for us. Agree about the slight tilt (if it is even really there - I always have to use crop lines in PS to figure it out...). And now, if you'll excuse me, I will sit back with my marguerita on the rocks and enjoy the photo.

Tuna

[Irish]

I have to agree with previous posts Kelly.......very emotive image, warm colours, well composed with the elements work together in harmony...