We must be neighbors since I live near Big Sur as well.
I really like this comp of the bridge. Its a unique perspective. I could live without those electrical lines cutting across the bottom. Don't these people realize what they are doing to our shots! Hahaa.
Chris, Nice shot. Since you're asking for the critique, which I am not trained to give in any true sense. I will give my thoughts. I like the bridge as a foreground element, though the power lines are a distraction. It looks like a little lens flair, bottom center also. The lighting is a little harsh, the sea is blown out and the sky seems bland. I really like the lighting and detail you captured on the cliff faces as they march away into the shot. You did a nice job preserving the 1/3 rule. I like the overall mood of the shot. The detail and lighting on the bridge is engaging. There probably is a lot more critique wise both good and bad that I'm not trained to see. It's a nice effort and if you like it, that is what counts. I hope that I'm not being too harsh and that this is what you wanted, if not as I said I'm hardly qualified. Rick
Interesting angle on the bridge. I've shot it from this spot before, but I like your idea of working in BW and high contrast. This works especially well with the texture of the bridge itself and with the land to the left and below. The brilliant light reflected from the ocean is always a problem, and there are only so many ways to deal with it: "let it blow" out, underexpose (and risk the shadows), exposure blend with a second image that retains more detail. (A GND filter would not help much in this situation.)
The wires that pass across this valley by the bridge have often disturbed me as well. In a few cases, where they have appeared against the complex background of the hills east of the bridge, I have retouched them out in post. In other cases I have accepted the idea that they are simply part of the scene. I don't think they are a major issue in your photograph. (I wish that someone had realized that the aesthetic beauty of this section of the coast is so great that it might have made sense to do something to diminish the visibility of these wires!)
I'm in Carmel Valley today, and I may well be shooting in roughly this same area later today.
Thank you guys SO much for the critique!! It was just what I was looking for! Derek, thanks and I completely agree, i swear they put wires in all of the good vantage points! I'm from carmel, Wouldn't mind getting a few tips from you concerning photography spots in big sur If you wouldn't mind.
Thanks Rick, you seemed to have hit the nail on the head, no it was not harsh at all..in fact, very informative!
Thanks puma!
Thanks dan! Hope you got some good shots!
So it looks like the major thing to go is the wires..I just took care of that in PS..what do y'all think?
This looks much better IMO. Its a really cool shot. You've inspired me to shoot it from this perspective.
As far as shooting Big Sur I'd be happy to give some tips on spots. There are so many its a pretty amazing place for landscapes/seascapes. For starters I recommend getting to know Garrapta and Pfeiffer Beach. Both are excellent with Garrapata offering endless options so close to home - our backyard. I just found a new spot (for me) tonight. You can check out some of my Big Sur shots here: http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/Seascapes/Big-Sur-Seascapes/759421499_/10828392_2HkHMk/759204447_XzoDZ
I like it, since it was clear that you intended to shoot the bridge, I don't mind the lack of detail in the sky or the blown out water, they don't distract me. I like the work you did to clone out the wires, its a shame that they were there to start with. For me, the left support of the bridge is a little tight to the left side of the image, but that is the only thing that my eye is not liking. I like the rest of it.
I like this different take on Bixby. My issue with the shot would be along the upper edge towards the right side where sun flares have caused circles in the sky. A little harder fix, but that breaks up the sky for me.
Inspired by your take, I shot the same subject yesterday from roughly the same angle and did a black and white rendition. Not quite the same as yours, but thought you might be interested to know that your shot provoked me to re-think the subject a bit. :-)
