Photos » sea » Cobh at sunset

Taken on: 2006-08-18 20:56:40
Tags: The tide is out in Cobh, architecture, beach, canon-20d, cobh, cork, houses, ireland, irishblogs, night, photos, reflection, sea, sigma-10-20, sky, sun, sunset, tutorials, water, wideangle
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The tide is out in Cobh, Co. Cork while the sun sets in the west casting an orange glow over the water and boats in the harbour.

Method
This required some work to expose properly. The sky is bright while the harbour, houses and landscape are in shadow. Out with the layers, top layer for the sky was darkened and the opposite was done for the ground.
Then it's the simple task of adding a layer mask to the top layer and rubbing out the dark bits to expose the brightened landscape.
When using a layer mask, never paint with an opacity of 100%, try 30% or even 5%. Don't be afraid to do a rough job of exposing the bottom layer because with a layer mask you can always reverse the procedure by swapping the colour of your brush with an opposite colour!

Thank you all for the comments on yesterday's post, The Lonely Swan, it's great to get feedback and I'm glad when people get something out of my methods when I describe them. See what you've done? I did it again!

See this photo on Flickr

Comments:
Andrew Biorn
Donncha, do you use a tripod for these shots or do you just have very steady hands?
Donncha @ InPhotos.org
I rarely use a tripod and with plenty of practise I manage to hold the camera fairly steady. I think I leaned against the rail that's just visible in this photo for further stability but I usually use street furniture for balance instead of lugging around a tripod!
miguev
You also use pretty wide-angular lenses, which allows you to shot at slower speeds and makes me love your perspectiveful pictures.

Anyway, I can't wait to visit Cork.
Donncha @ InPhotos.org
Thanks MIguev! I really like wide angle too :)