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Home → Contests and Critique

How Was This Picture Made #12?

By Rick Keller 3 Comments
Last Updated On February 11, 2018

In advance of my upcoming article on the directionality and quality of light, composition, and mood, I decided to post a landscape photograph to invite our readers to share their thoughts on how this photo was visualized and constructed. I made this particular photograph at one of my favorite subjects – the coastal bluffs at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve in San Diego, CA.

The answer has been posted here.

As you study this image, are there any salient features of the light, contrast, textures, and angle of view? What tools could have been manipulated to create this exposure and print? Any thoughts on the exposure strategy and post-processing (if any)? Hint: one shot, one exposure – as I do with all of my photographs – in the classic tradition.

Please, stay tuned for the answer next week.

Torrey Pines

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Filed Under: Contests and Critique Tagged With: Contest, Picture Contest

About Rick Keller

Rick Keller is originally from Texas but now resides in California. He is an avid hiker, jogger, nature lover, and outdoor photographer and immensely enjoys travel and culture. Rick considers himself a life long student of the art and history of photography. Deep inside he is a burgeoning visual artist who has chosen the camera as his paint brush. He takes pride and joy in educating his fellow beginning photographers to enjoy the aesthetic and technical aspects of creating an image. With more experience and opportunities in photography, Rick is enthusiastic about exploring more deeply aesthetics and his creativity, refining his direction and skill, and expanding his portfolio. You can visit his site and his gallery here.

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Shane
Shane
September 25, 2016 12:59 pm

For some reason, I am thinking IR film and a 4×5 view camera. I don’t know why exactly, it just seems like it to me.

If a digital, I’m going to go with using the R channel for a B&W image. I still like the 4×5 view idea though.

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Brian Webster
Brian Webster
September 22, 2016 12:52 pm

I believe it was shot with a digital camera, using a graduated ND filter judging by the fast changing line in the sky to the left of the hill. Mid afternoon based on the shadow location. Black and white post. Most likely a tripod was used given the level of detail of the people on the beach.

The light location picks up a lot of detail on the hill, but overall the pictures is too dark. Was this pictures shot in the winter?

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Gary Bunton
Gary Bunton
September 21, 2016 10:31 am

I’d say slightly wide angle lense at about chest high, looks like about 3 in the afternoon sunlight, based on the wave movement in the background about 125th or a second, lense well stopped down for the depth of field. Obvious use of some filtration if it were a film shot and I’m not sure it isn’t I’d say a 25 A red filter based on the shadows and deep sky value. As on old time landscape photographer for over 40 years i could say alot more. Happy to see someone enjoying their hobby.

G

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