Halong Bay Haze

[fletch]

If you have never been Halong Bay in Vietnam is one of the most spectacular places on earth. I love the composition of this shot with the bay leading though the cliffs on either side with the boats drawing the eye through the shot to the distant islands. It gets very close to coveying the emotion that you feel as you travel through the alien landscape.

However the light was not playing ball with a very bright but hazy day. Being on a boat trip there is no chance of waiting until the golden hour. The orginal below is therefore a bit dull and grey.



To make the photo pop this is my workflow
-Crop to 16:9 ratio to enhance compositional elements mentioned above
-Duplicate layer set to Softlight, opacity 50% to bring out the colours and increase contrast
-Levels adjustment to create some colour in the sky, masked of for land and sea at 80% grey to allow some of the affect through
-Tiny bit of hue and saturation to bring out the greens (only +7)
-High pass filter pixel radius 6.2, blening mode of layer set to soft light to reduce sharpening effect slightly

Here is my layer pallet for reference


Final image here



Let me know what you think and if you would have done anything differently, I really want to make the most of this image as I think it's a "printer". If you want to have a go yourself here is a link a larger version of the original.

[altrdwrld]

I am marking this down in my book as a place I need to visit before I expire. What a beautiful place, and a great capture!!!

Thanks for sharing!

[tvoelcker]

Great job on the post processing. Looks to be a very beautiful and intriguing place.
The boat seems a bit much right near the center of the frame so I wonder how cropping a bit off the left would work? Maybe even add a touch more water back to the foreground so the eyes can follow the water a bit before resting on the boat.

[fletch]

Originally Posted by tvoelcker

Great job on the post processing. Looks to be a very beautiful and intriguing place.
The boat seems a bit much right near the center of the frame so I wonder how cropping a bit off the left would work? Maybe even add a touch more water back to the foreground so the eyes can follow the water a bit before resting on the boat.

I quite like the boat where it is. Not dead dead centre so it a photo of a small boat but enough to grab the attention. It's not as obviously central when viewed large either. I'll have a go at adding some water back into the foreground though and go with a standard 3:2 ratio to see if that adds appeal.

Anyone else with any feedback? I really want to make the most of the image.

[djtrev]

I've been to Halong Bay, and yes it did look exactly like that on the day! Very hazy, I'm not sure that ever goes away.

Great work, love how the green on the left has come up; perhaps crop a little more off the bottom so it's a bit more even with the amount of sky above the rock on the left?

Wish I'd got a shot like this while I was there.

J

[tvoelcker]

Originally Posted by fletch

I quite like the boat where it is. Not dead dead centre so it a photo of a small boat but enough to grab the attention. It's not as obviously central when viewed large either. I'll have a go at adding some water back into the foreground though and go with a standard 3:2 ratio to see if that adds appeal.

Anyone else with any feedback? I really want to make the most of the image.

I stand corrected and agree that when viewed at the larger size the boat doesn't seem so centered and appears less dominant in the frame. Sorry for failing to open the larger version before attempting to critique.

[fletch]

Originally Posted by tvoelcker

Sorry for failing to open the larger version before attempting to critique.

Wow - No problem. All critique is welcome and taken in the helpful spirt it was intented. I could hardly expect you to find the large version by clicking through flickr and then through to the "Large on black" link. Thank you for taking the time to have a second look and you feedback is much appreciated.

[tvoelcker]

Originally Posted by fletch

Wow - No problem. All critique is welcome and taken in the helpful spirt it was intented. I could hardly expect you to find the large version by clicking through flickr and then through to the "Large on black" link. Thank you for taking the time to have a second look and you feedback is much appreciated.

Fletch,
Please accept my sincere apology if I came across as being rude since this was not my intention.
I was trying to make the point that you was correct with saying that viewing at larger size made a difference in the composition. I have recently found this to be true of some pictures and was kinda kicking myself for not viewing the larger picture first.
No harm meant and you have a beautiful picture here.

[fletch]

Originally Posted by tvoelcker

Fletch,
Please accept my sincere apology if I came across as being rude since this was not my intention.
I was trying to make the point that you was correct with saying that viewing at larger size made a difference in the composition. I have recently found this to be true of some pictures and was kinda kicking myself for not viewing the larger picture first.
No harm meant and you have a beautiful picture here.

What I was trying to say in my previous post was that you have nothing to apologise for. IMO no critique is wrong, just a different opinion and it's people opinions that determine whether shot is good enough, whether its the knowledgeable types on this forum or the family and friends who may see it on my wall. I value the opion of everyboby on here and by posting I am trying to gauge the quaility of my image and if there was anything in the PP I could do better before I go to the expense of printing and the pain of people seeing it on my wall and not liking it as much as the shot they could by from the local store.

Anyway I am rambling but thank you for taking the time to look and provide me with valuable feedback.

[tvoelcker]

Fletch-
It seems we have both assumed we were coming off in a rather rude way although neither of us percieved it that way from the other person. (hope that made since LOL)
Glad we was able to clear the air and I look forward to viewing more of your great pictures and receiving helpful critiques on mine!!
Thank you for your consideration and taking the time to help ensure we are now both on the same page..