How can I improve this shot for future reference

[Dougie]

This is a shot taken at Champagne Pools on Fraser Island. Just had time to pick up the camera and fire. Luckily the camera was set up to go. How could I have improved the shot if I'd had the time to compose it?
Doug

[owen]

Hi doug. I would possibly get some of those rocks nice and close in the foreground... but it's a great capture, very impressive. Perhaps you can increase the saturation of the water a bit, and add a bit of contrast.

[phillipb]

Hi doug. I would possibly get some of those rocks nice and close in the foreground... but it's a great capture, very impressive. Perhaps you can increase the saturation of the water a bit, and add a bit of contrast.

After having done that, you could have put it in the current competition

[Dougie]

Thanks Owen,
Absolutley no Idea how to increase sat etc, have only had PS for 2 weeks and just learning how to post process, and any assistance would be appreciated. Phillip what comp are you referring to.
Doug

[phillipb]

Doug, I was referring to the competition that has just closed (See the front page in this forum).
As for the photo, I use photoshop to adjust things such as contrast, saturation etc.
Here is an example of your photo.


Oops. I just realised that the front page has changed.
Try this link for the comp. http://www.potofgrass.com/gallery/challenge5

[owen]

Hi Doug.

In PS, go to (just going from memory here, I'm probably very wrong.) Image - Adjust - saturation. You'll get a box with two sliders in it, one for contrast and one for saturation. The key with saturation is you don't want to make it look too fake, just enhance the natural colours. And adjust the contrast so that the image looks good to you.

Cheers,
Owen.

[Killakoala]

That is one freaky looking wave. I've seen a few waves in my time but never one like that. Amazing. As far as the capture goes, i think the image is great. The two kids in the picture, totally oblivious to the wave, really add something to it.

Well done...

[Dougie]

Thanks Phillip/Owen will give it a try, the processed shot looks great. Thanks all for your comments
Doug

[krpolak]

--> Dougie

What about that:



1. Cropping, you don't need to see more than that. This put your attention to relation between wave and boys. Also note, that hiding some parts of the wave force your mind to use imagination - wave looks bigger Also small crop from the bottom, cuts shallow water so it is not that obvious that is shallow

2. Darkening the sky. It start to be more dramatic and suporting for the situaction as well as...

3. ... giving better tonal contrast for the wave. Setting up level for the wave applies as well. Point is to get nice, white foam and better water colour.

4. A bit more saturation for yellows, will pop up rocks and boys

Extra comment here. You have good reflex and it is difficult to get that king of shot but, I recon your DOF selection was a bit unfortunate. Now second plan is blury whereas third is sharp. I would rather go to possible ways:

1. Increase DOF, so everyting in interest area is sharp

2. Or realy decrease with focusing on boys. Possibly close up could work as well.

Well, just suggetion. It is not easy to get good wave

That is all.

Regards,

K.Polak

[storm]

amazing capture.

[KerryPierce]

Excellent base photo, Dougie. The others have already given you good advice on how to finish it.

[sirhc55]

Doug - it’s always the same. The decisive moment comp finishes and you capture an excellent contender - well done

[Andoru]

I like the wide-angle shot better. Great timing!

Imagine this photo being taken in last December - people would have thought that you've captured the start of the tsunami hitting the beach or something.

I really like how the water looks like a sheet of ice! Very original look I think. Don't recall seeing waves looking like ice that's for sure.

So what happened in the aftermath? Did the kids get drenched?

[leek]

A very strange looking wave... Nice capture...

I prefer the more saturated versions and Krystian's would have been better than phillipb's if he hadn't cropped it... Personally, I think that the continuation of the wave off to the left adds to the imagery...

[nito]

I agree with krpolak and phillipb. The original image looked flat, adding more saturation brings it to life. Krpolak cropping suggestion is good and does draw the attention to the boys and the wave.

Overall I thought it was a good shot and with a bit of post-processing it will be a great shot! Well done.

[Dougie]

Thank you everybody for the advice. Have not had a chance to play with the shot, but I love both Phillips and Kristians versions. The impact of Kristians and the fulll story of Phillips. I really have to learn how to use photoshop now.
Now, what happened to the boys - they just got a bit wet. The wave actually broke on the rocks about 10m behind them. Sorry nothing dramatic to report on that story.
again thanks all
Doug