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Author Topic: Sunrise on Skellig Michael  (Read 1165 times)

Enda Cavanagh

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Sunrise on Skellig Michael
« on: April 17, 2018, 02:17:05 pm »

The Skellig islands are like something from another world so I intentionally left the flare in the shot. The dramatic scenery is both harsh and spectacularly beautiful. The island has become hugely popular due to the filming of several scenes from the last 2 Star Wars episodes. It is one of a series of photos captured over 2 long days with full access to Skellig Michael. It took years to get a full open permission to photograph the island. The photo was captured just after sunrise and close to where the boats drop off visitors to the island. The equally dramatic Little Skellig looms in the background.

Captured with my Phase One IQ3100 on an Arca Swiss RL3Di and a 40mm Rodenstock
If you would like to see the image in a larger size, you can click here.


 

MattBurt

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Re: Sunrise on Skellig Michael
« Reply #1 on: April 17, 2018, 03:37:09 pm »

Wow, great shot and amazing location! The flare seems fine to me, it fits the shot.

How big is the island? Is it as small as the movies make it appear? Did you stay over there to get sunrise? Is there anywhere to stay?
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Eric Myrvaagnes

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Re: Sunrise on Skellig Michael
« Reply #2 on: April 17, 2018, 03:47:11 pm »

That's a grand shot, Enda.
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Dave (Isle of Skye)

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Re: Sunrise on Skellig Michael
« Reply #3 on: April 17, 2018, 03:58:15 pm »

I really like the shot and the starburst lens flare effect, but if it were mine, I would try to tone down the colour in the larger arc of flare towards the lower left, by sampling a part of the rock colour without flare on it and then painting over the arc using only the colour blend mode, then move the opacity slider around until it only left a hint of the flare colour in that area - but other than that nitpick and one which might be something that only I would want to do, then you have a really excellent image here :)

Dave
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Enda Cavanagh

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Re: Sunrise on Skellig Michael
« Reply #4 on: April 17, 2018, 05:35:19 pm »

Wow, great shot and amazing location! The flare seems fine to me, it fits the shot.

How big is the island? Is it as small as the movies make it appear? Did you stay over there to get sunrise? Is there anywhere to stay?

Thanks Matt. The island itself is relatively small. There are over 600 steps to the summit which is great fun going up and down all day! I stayed near Portmagee on the mainland. It's about 40 minutes by boat. I and 2 photographer buddies hired a man to bring us there for sunrise and back after sunset on each day on his boat. We couldn't stay over night because the habitable huts (not bee hive huts) were occupied at that time.

guido

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Re: Sunrise on Skellig Michael
« Reply #5 on: April 17, 2018, 06:57:09 pm »

Great image, but I think you should loose the flare...
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Enda Cavanagh

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Re: Sunrise on Skellig Michael
« Reply #6 on: April 18, 2018, 04:49:05 am »

I really like the shot and the starburst lens flare effect, but if it were mine, I would try to tone down the colour in the larger arc of flare towards the lower left, by sampling a part of the rock colour without flare on it and then painting over the arc using only the colour blend mode, then move the opacity slider around until it only left a hint of the flare colour in that area - but other than that nitpick and one which might be something that only I would want to do, then you have a really excellent image here :)

Dave

Thanks Dave. I actually have a RAW file without flare where I just blocked the sun in case I needed it but I do like it left in. I positioned myself intentionally there to get that affect.

Paulo Bizarro

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Re: Sunrise on Skellig Michael
« Reply #7 on: April 18, 2018, 06:01:32 am »

Great shot.

Are those contrails in the sky? Must be a busy route...

JNB_Rare

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Re: Sunrise on Skellig Michael
« Reply #8 on: April 18, 2018, 11:17:50 am »

Very dramatic! I like how you've incorporated Little Skellig into the shot. I wanted to take the Skelligs boat tour, but the day we were hiking in the area (back in 2007) there was rain, high-winds and waves, so the tours were cancelled. No matter – Valentia Island and the coast of Kerry in that general area are beautiful.
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Enda Cavanagh

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Re: Sunrise on Skellig Michael
« Reply #9 on: April 18, 2018, 12:32:24 pm »

Great shot.

Are those contrails in the sky? Must be a busy route...

Hi Paulo. Yes I believe they are. Ya there were quite a few alright.

Enda Cavanagh

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Re: Sunrise on Skellig Michael
« Reply #10 on: April 18, 2018, 12:37:43 pm »

Very dramatic! I like how you've incorporated Little Skellig into the shot. I wanted to take the Skelligs boat tour, but the day we were hiking in the area (back in 2007) there was rain, high-winds and waves, so the tours were cancelled. No matter – Valentia Island and the coast of Kerry in that general area are beautiful.

Ya John you really are at the mercy of the weather. Its the luck of the draw I'm afraid when you are a regular visitor. We met one American guy who finally got on the island that day....after his 6th attempt. IE 6th visit to Ireland to see Skellig Michael. Each other time it didn't work out due tot he weather.

In our case we monitored the weather closely. Once we saw a window we got our asses down to Kerry. We had a full permission  already in place so the boat man was willing to bring us out alone. If we didn't have the permission no one would have brought us out or they would have probably lost their license and most of their business in the process!
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