Phi Phi Island, Phuket, Thailand. This is the view from the beach where "THE BEACH" was filmed. It's yet another from the many images I captured on a recent trip to Thailand. Many of you have remarked about the oversaturated and unbelievable colors in some of my images. Let me assure you that the "real world" of Phi Phi Island is as stunning as these images have shown. It's hard to imagine the range of color, natural saturation, and awesome splendor that awaits the visitor to these islands; truly one of the more memorable visual experiences I've been priviledged to observe and share. This image had it's own challenges, mostly due to the dynamic range of the subject: brilliant sky and clouds, bright sandy beaches, reflecting emerald water, and dark mountains and vegetation. I used a technique I've learned of combining two identical images with different exposures and blending the highlights from the darker and the shadows from the lighter into an image which effectively broadens the dynamic range of the media. It works! In addition, I used a polarizer to enhance the sky. In Photoshop I worked with levels and curves, minor cropping and rotation, and Unsharp Mask. Nothing else was done to change the saturation. Folks, this is the way it was! Simply a beautiful location and a photographer's dream. Hope you enjoy it. I sure did! Regards. GF
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{K:209486} 5/22/2003
