Pulling a previously unpublished image from the archives. This was shot as part of a 3 or 5 exposure bracketed series to be used in an HDR. An HDR was processed long ago, but I was never completely sold on the final image. Here I used the longest exposure of the series (and would thus start off as the brightest) and processed with a bias towards a high key style with low contrast in the lighting.
The newly acquired (at the time) B+W 10-stop neutral density filter was employed to achieve the 30 second exposure in the daytime.
(Click thru the image for the 700px view)
Yes, I have literally run out of new photographs that I like enough to process and post. I also learned a valuable lesson today. Spot metering the darker ground while the sky has a brightly lit sunset is a bad idea. It is an even worse idea when you don’t have a graduated filter and try to bring back the blown out sky using the graduated filter in Lightroom. It just does not look right. At the very least use center-weighted metering or expose one shot each for the sky and ground and blend in Photoshop.
EXIF data: Nikon D50, center-weighted metering mode, ISO 200, 18mm, f/11, 30 sec
San Francisco, Fishing Pier, Bright Highlights, Long Exposure. San Francisco, CA. June 12, 2011. © Copyright Steven Tze – all rights reserved.
Steven Tze Photography 
This has a very delicate feel to it; well done.
LikeLike
Thanks Melinda. It is interesting (at least to me) that when I was shooting these initial set of bracketed shots, I focused on creating an HDR with as much details as possible and darkening the mood. Now 2-1/2 years later, I’ve taken an almost completely different processing approach, reducing details and going with a high tone-like feel. 🙂
LikeLike
When I look back over the photos I’ve posted, I can see trends emerge, even though I usually – or never! – noticed them at the time.
LikeLike
I certainly have a style, partially conscious, partially not. I prefer sharpening and having details. What has helped me be more diverse in how I shoot and process is to see a photograph by someone else that really stands out and see if I can incorporate that style in how I already shoot.
LikeLike
I agree – I am inspired/influenced nearly every day by photos I see on blogs. I also go to Light Stalking (www.lightstalking.com) frequently and look around and read the articles. I don’t want to get in a rut, but I have sort of naturally-short attention span, so that’s rarely an issue!
LikeLike