East Oahu Sunrise

Woke up early for some sunrise shots after seeing JRADER'S awesome Makapu'u sunrise shots. This was my first real attempt at landscapes and it's a lot harder than I thought: contrasty conditions (dark lava and bright sky), trying to control lens flare, and keeping equipment safe from salt water. Out of a couple dozen shots, this seems to be the best (10mm, F11, 6/10s, ISO 200) that is bracketed +/- 2ev and ran through Photomatix (PP with Elements 6 to straighted horizon, sharpen just a tad and crop). CC welcome and thanks for looking.

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HAHHAHAHAH I have that EXACT shot. You found my hiding spot!

I've been hitting the sunrises and sunsets for the last 3 days (and I'm exhausted). The high clouds have cleared out, making for "normal" sunrise/set conditions. However, I have some of the best pictures I've ever taken because I've been going strong.

I feel your struggle, I assure you, especially at this spot where the ocean spray comes right at your because of the wind. I setup way before sunrise since the winds are lighter and you get no lens flare and I use 1 or 2 three-stop GND filters to balance the exposure. Lava rock is a hard beast to shoot against even a moderately bright sky.

I think the shot looks great (even for an HDR). I see the lens flare you were referring to only slightly. The sky is definitely bright (not too bright I hope). Keep up the great work.

If you want the head's up on great sunrises/sets, check out this page: Hawaii Weather Discussion. It will tell you when a low system with high clouds is moving over the island, thus more dramatic and favorable sunrises/sets.

Maybe I'll post some of my pictures soon too.

John

This foreground is awesome but, the sky is a tad blown. I would try a gradient in PS to recover the sky.

where exactly and how to get here? im in oahu for week and got in today... pls. if any spot for a beach sunrise sunset shoot and other hidden spot pls let me know... hawaii potn'ers help!!!!

jrader wrote in post #9912102

Go east on H-1 and follow it straight. You'll go through Hawaii Kai (stay in right lane), past Hanauma Bay and around Koko Head, past the Halona Blowhole and Sandy Beach, past the Hawaii Kai Golf Course, around 2 bends and over a ridge to a wide view of the east side and two offshore islands. This area is called Makapu'u. Park in the lot on the right and walk down to the water's edge.

Have fun!

John

thanks mayn, im driving around the island today..

Great photo. The sky is pretty blown out but the foreground is awesome.

yagit80 wrote in post #9914508
thanks mayn, im driving around the island today..

pictures when you get back or else...

very kool shot

wow! very moody looking rocks!
Its nice!

nice shot! I'm looking for such nice places.


winam