Ursa, a photo from Lisboa, South

Photographer's Note

The Portuguese coast is very inspiring because, despite the large number of tourists, it still has plenty of astonishing secret spots, although most of them are fairly inaccessible.

Ursa's Beach, named after the designation of huge white rock, is one of the most inaccessible coastal locations, but it pays off because of its lunar appearance and unique colour contrasts between the rocks.

I took several trips to the same place to get the perfect light conditions and a favourable low tide. I prefer to shoot in the ‘magical hour’ which enables me to get rich colours and use long shutter speeds to blur the water.

Apart from basic and unavoidable editing in Photoshop (slight contrast, saturation and unsharp mask), the shot is unmanipulated as much of the work is done on location using a ND grad filter to balance the light and a polariser to enhance colour and contrast.

I hope you enjoy!

PS: I appologise for the 500px larger side and watermark in the frame, but some unauthorized use has happened before in other websites (including mine)

jammer79, fabio_ts, alekpet, hlh, GG_Poland, Flavia, TeresaT, del7im has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jammer79 (2722) 2006-03-07 8:36

Hi, Joel

perfect sharpness, very nice colours. VEry nice place to take picture of... :o) cokin filter was quite handy here.. ;o)
One thing: WHy is it not bigger? :o)
REgards, Radim.

MountainGoat (480) 2006-03-07 8:39

Hi Joel,
Truely wonderful and inspiring image. As you say the contrast of colours are fantastic and there is a lovely depth to the image. Beautiful lighting which was worth the few trips.
Regards,
Paul

Eben (147) 2006-03-07 8:42

Excellent photo I like the sharp edges of the rocks disappearing into a misty appearing sea.
eben

Slana (393) 2006-03-07 8:46

WOW! Amazing!

Slana

jasmis (58653) 2006-03-07 8:49

Really amazing but why this photo is small? 466x323 pixels, when you can upload 800x800!

Keitht (1342) 2006-03-07 8:50

A really nice photograph, but the very small image size really doesn't do it justice. It's a great composition with the foreground rocks filling the space well. The very slow shutter speed has been very effective on the water. Great lighting.

fabio_ts (13696) 2006-03-07 8:51

Fantastic work Joel, really lovely long exposure effect and fabulos colors and DOF.. just a little pity for the small dimension of the file...

all my compliments!!!

have a nice evening,
Fabio.

zeebandy (116) 2006-03-07 8:55

A very magical shot. Beautiful colours.

alekpet (4663) 2006-03-07 9:04

Hi Joel.

Again, excelent usage of the technique.
You've manage to enhance the contrast of otherwise well contrasted rocks.

Aleks

sound (242) 2006-03-07 9:45

Very nice, 26 second worked well, pitty it is not bigger.

brigondino (98) 2006-03-07 9:52

What amazing shot.. Congratulation
Ottimo lavoro
ciao

GG_Poland (722) 2006-03-07 10:25

Hi Joel

It's just wonderful. Great light and colours. Usualy I don't like blured water but here it's perfect and composes well with the rest of the frame.
Portugal is my favourite european destination and I hope I will be there in the very close future.

TFS and all the best
Grzegorz

ramthakur (1559) 2006-03-07 10:30

But for the size, it is a great capture of a fascinating place.

blue-velvet30 (6524) 2006-03-07 11:26

Hello Joel!
Wonderfull colors, composition and light. Perfect details. Great photo!
TFS;-)
regards
Dorota

Flavia (10352) 2006-03-07 15:22

Ola Joel,

Maravilhosa imagem. A luminosidade da agua e as cores do ceu sao impressionantes. Composicao tb muito bela.

Ate mais,

Flavia

TeresaT (10806) 2006-03-07 18:57

olб Joel
Excelente perpectiva da prai da ursa.
Com cores lindissimas e excelente definiзгo.
Adorei a ligeira bruma sobre a бgua.
uma imagem perfeita.
Parabйns
Teresa

mlopes (494) 2006-03-08 7:01

Olб Joel,
Espectacular fotografia como sempre :) йs imbativel a captar este tipo de momentos! Anda guerra acessa no 1000i :P esta malta passa-se concerteza. Gostava de te pedir um conselho, adquiri recentemente esta lente 17-85, qual o teu conselho a nivel de filtros para fotografia de paisagem? um grandiente grey e orange?

Obrigado e um abraзo,
Mario

craiggc (2509) 2006-04-06 6:42

Nice and sharp and slightly unearthly - this appeals to me!

Cheers
Craig

Photo Information

Copyright: Joel Santos (joelsantos) (1413)
Genre: МЕСТА
Medium: ЦВЕТНОЙ
Date Taken: 2005-11-00
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon 17-85 mm Ultrasonic IS EF, Cokin P121 - Grad Grey G2
Exposure: f/18.0, 26 секунд
Details: Tripod: Yes
Версия: Оригинальная версия
Date Submitted: 2006-03-07 8:33
Избранное: 2 [view]