I created this image after a recent boat trip to the Blue Grotto in Malta:
ISO 800 14mm f/9.0 1/1250sec
The original image is here:
ISO 800 14mm f/9.0 1/1250sec
For this particular edit, I wanted to draw attention to the row of boats. I cropped the photo using the rule of thirds as a guideline, placing the anchor painted on the first boat on the lower left grid point of the rule of thirds. That also cropped out the people on the bench, which for this edit, was something I wanted to do. When I was working with the color in the image, I boosted the whites to make them separate a bit from the blue tones. I also brought up the exposure just a bit. I didn’t want to totally lose the shadows of the early morning though, the sun is encroaching, but it was still cool in this spot, and I wanted the tones to still keep the feel of that.
What do you think of this edit? Does it seem to reflect the cool calm of morning before the day is fully up and running? Within the half hour, all these little boats would be busy running tourists out to see the beautiful blue waters of the grottos in this area. Feel free to leave a comment below.
Cheers!
Added to Tuesday Photo Challenge: Row.
Photography Journal Blog 
Amazing place.
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I agree, a lot of good photos waiting to be taken 🙂
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Indeed they are! 🙂
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It looks to me thhat you accomplished your goals in this photo. I want to go there!
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I would go back if given the opportunity!
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Well you did not remove all the people and I like that.
It becomes a bit of a street shot – well a nautical people shot! But at first it is all about the lines in the rock in the mountains- wonderful in both – but your edits did transform the final vibe! The boats have solidarity lined up and yet the second one stood out – nice to see the rule of thirds applied and able to compare. And so then the people stand out – the guy on the stairs (right) hmm?
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I was ok to leave that guy on the stairs there because he worked there, and I thought it was ok to leave a few people in. I’m fairly certain I could remove him in another version though.
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Yes / and the ones you left were so subtle
– so fun to explore your edit process with ya
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🙂
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Excellent edits. Cropping out the people was a good idea because my eye was immediately drawn to the large man at the side.
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It’s interesting that you mention him because he stood out in the scene in real life as well. At least to me. He was there for a morning swim/snorkel, his wife was waiting for him to finish, and it seemed like this was a part of their everyday routine. That seemed like a really nice routine.
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What a lovely spot! And yes, much prefer your edited shot
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It was beautiful Tina. I am sure you can relate to this, but as we were taking this boat tour I was thinking this was a spot that would be nice to come back to several times to photograph in different ways.
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It looks so peaceful. Cheers!
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Yes, for about 30 more minutes and then the whole place was going to be buzzing with activity 🙂 A big difference in a short time!
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The edit is fantastic, but I am drawn to the original. I always appreciate the tutorials you include. Great learning tool for me.
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Thank you very much for your comment and visit. This is a photo that I feel like could be edited in a couple of different ways.
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Excellennt editing of the photograph. It’s a mesmerizing scene.
Nicely done …
Isadora 😎
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Thank you very much!
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It’s a beautiful shot and I like your enhancements ☺☺
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Thank you, it was a beautiful spot. We were there early because we heard the grotto was most beautiful in the morning light. We were not disappointed.
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Nicely done, Amy! What a beautiful place. 🙂
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Thank you, and it was beautiful!
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I like the edits. The boats are now more visible and the focal point with the right side trimmed. I do feel the morning coolness and calm.
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Thank you, I am glad you like what I have done here. The calm was definitely fleeting, as this was a busy spot and I was hoping to capture that before it got swallowed up by the day.
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I think the edit is spot on and the composition marvelous. Thank you as always for sharing your tips!
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Thank you very much. This was a lovely little boat ride that I would love to take a few more times 🙂
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Your edits improved the photograph!
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Thank you 🙂
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