Very strong vibrant colours on this. I like the framing of the boat and the symmetry of the seagulls.

This is perfectly composed David. Great blue waters and skies.

Very well composed, showing great balance on the water, earth and sky.

Love this post DP. Not only because water pulls to me like iron pulls to a magnet but because it's a very fine composition as well.
Regards, Cornelius.

David - I was drawn by the saturated colors and composition - nicely done. I hope you kept you camera dry, as you aren't far from water level here! Thad

As soon as I saw your title, that song popped into my head. Thanks for the link. I wish that boat was mine. Beautiful view of the area.

David Wow Beautiful colors here great picture fav. and save.

Rob

Hi, David....

What a great place to hang out!! I envy you being able to take this photograph. The sailboat is perfectly framed by the wood pilings. Beautiful colors - especially the blue of the water. Were you floating on your back on an air mattress when you took this shot? Seems like you're practically in the water which makes for an interesting perspective. I love the contrast of white sails against the dark trees.

I got bitched out for this; so I'll pass it on. There's something weird to me about the sky. Darker and bluer at the top and lighter as the elevation drops. Either some sort of graduated filter or your software. It doesn't bother me all that much since I do it all the time, but like I said....a number of people mentioned in in one of my shots; so I'll mention it. Excellent shot nonetheless.

Roger

You are correct Roger! As a mater of fact I am not at all happy with the sky in this shot now that you have brought it to my attention. Especially with the posterization in the clouds :( I can't believe I posted this so carelessly. But that is not what you critiqued.
The sky naturally goes from dark blue straight up to a hazy gray near the horizon ( at least it does around here ). But when one over edits a shot for vibrancy and color ( as I most certainly did with this one ) one gets some strangely unnatural looking images. The original sky in this photo was just dull gray. So what you are seeing is faked. The sky is from another photo and over enhanced too boot. The whole image is just a pleasant little fantasy world.

I like the sky in the real world better but they are both great shots your post work is very good.

Sheldon

Nice shot. There is a great difference between the real and the after work.

like. thumbs up!

Very nice! I want to learn to sail one day...

Ok, here we go ...

Hope you don't mind, David ... as I downloaded the 'real world' version of your image here and had a go on the post processing front. Just to see if the sky made all that much difference on a couple of creative fronts.


Actually lost track of your final posted version and lo and behold ... the 'rework' did not turn out all that different. Save one thing ... different crop. Bearing in mind that the original sky was indeed a lil' lackluster.


So ... to cut a long-winded story short, here are the results for your consideration:

"Real World - Take 2"


Does it work better? Compositionally? Erhm ... not sure to tell you the truth. My initial impressions of yours, if I may be bold ... centered on the horizon being on the midline point. Or close to.

There was certainly enough visual dynamics with the other elements that were in frame and the post processing that you did do. So ... maybe just another look, if you will and that of some creative food for thought.


'Cause ... I do enjoy your final presentation to us. More than admirable work done in the editing chair to transform your original.


All that said ... it is always a pleasure to work with your 'base' images. And to have stirred my imagination and given me the impetus to try some stuff ... is ... as always ... a high compliment in my books. :o)


Thanks for sharing this one with us. :o)

Very fine work Les. Your "Real World - Take2" is a perfect example of quality processing. It shows a mature sense of style and quality. What I'm trying to say is - You got it right!

My attempt put way too much saturation and contrast in the shot trying to completely eliminate the haze on the trees winding up with an unnatural fantasy look. Yours looks natural. Bravo.

As for the horizon, I actually don't remember noticing it being center. Perhaps I forgot the rules. Perhaps it is as you mentioned, the visual dynamics of the other elements in the shot along with the post processing that put it out of my mind. I actually feel as if the horizon is pulled down from the center by the lines of the pilings. It kind of makes for a thick horizon line?

Thank you for taking the time to give it a go. Also for allowing me to see the results and hear your thoughts. Feel free to play with any thing I post. I am sure to learn something every time.

DP

Going to respond here, on your image's page, David. Seems relevant and not that of sidetracking the general commentary too much.


"Perhaps it is as you mentioned, the visual dynamics of the other elements in the shot along with the post processing that put it out of my mind. I actually feel as if the horizon is pulled down from the center by the lines of the pilings. It kind of makes for a thick horizon line?"

Good good point on the pilings visually 'pulling down the horizon', David.

Critique (mine) on that of the 'reworked' version (again, referencing my version), now and in retrospect?

Should have softened the sharpening along the top of the treeline. Too delineated and as a result, kind of stops my eye at that point.


Thanks for the response, and much like you ... I learn something every time from these 'dialogues'. Greatly appreciated. :o)