Pfieffer Beach Key - Vote for Favorite

[JimFox]

This is from Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur from a few years back. I have posted a few others from this session, what I liked here was seeing how the beam played out on the beach itself. I did 3 versions of the same shot, I kept going back and forth whether I liked the mystery of no DR (Dynamic Range) and letting it stay dark, or having more DR and seeing the detail of the rocks. I also then did one middle ground version.

So please help me decide.

Thanks,

Jim

1. No DR

2. Some DR

3. Normal DR

 

[Kyle Jones]

Something between the first two to me. I do like the darker rocks - they really highlight the light beam. But I would like to see a little more detail. I'd probably open the shadows in the first just a touch and I'd probably look to add some more contrast to the light beam too, just to make it pop even more.

 

[AlanLichty]

I am with Kyle - maybe in between the first and second ones. The one called Normal DR (#3) looks unnatural to my eyes.

 

[JimFox]

I am with Kyle - maybe in between the first and second ones. The one called Normal DR (#3) looks unnatural to my eyes.

Thanks Alan. #3 is the Normal DR is the most accurate to what was really there as it was still totally bright out, the sun was still probably 15 to 20 mins from setting. But yeah, the other 2 do have more bang if you will.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Yes somewhere between the first two and closer to 2 than 1 for me.

 

[JimFox]

Yes somewhere between the first two and closer to 2 than 1 for me.

Thanks Jameel. It's nice to see a consensus with this.

 

[Douglas Sherman]

I think I like #2 the best because there is a bit more light on the sides of the arch and there is detail in the rocks of the arch.

 

[rfkiii]

I voted for number 3 because I considered how I would see the shadows with my naked eye.

 

[MonikaC]

Doesn't the halo-ing in both DRs bother anyone?
Jim, have you tried using luminosity masks?

 

[JimFox]

Doesn't the halo-ing in both DRs bother anyone?
Jim, have you tried using luminosity masks?

What halos? I don't see any Monika.

 

[JimFox]

I voted for number 3 because I considered how I would see the shadows with my naked eye.

Hey Rick, thanks! Yeah, that's the most natural one.

 

[MonikaC]

What halos? I don't see any Monika.

right side of the opening. Or maybe I'm looking at it on too small a screen?

 

[JimFox]

right side of the opening. Or maybe I'm looking at it on too small a screen?

Could be a thin line along the high contrast line on that side, I will clean up those edges with the one that I chose to be my final version. Thanks!

 

[teelermeeler]

I feel like somewhere between 1/2 darker but not all the way

 

[Dustin Gent]

I would say between 1 and 2. I like some mystery in the shadows, but revealing a bit I think would work for this particular composition.

 

[JimFox]

I feel like somewhere between 1/2 darker but not all the way

I would say between 1 and 2. I like some mystery in the shadows, but revealing a bit I think would work for this particular composition.

Thanks you guys. It looks like I need to make a version that is between #1 and 2.

 

[BarryHamilton]

With most of the others, somewhere between 1 & 2, leaning toward the 2nd.

 

[Doug P]

I also follow the others. If there is a full stop between 1 and 2, a half stop would be ideal for my eye.