Simple...and....wonderful.

And the result couldn't be better. This is my favorite of the three and a come back to the original Chromasia style that I know the first time I visited your photoblog, a few years ago.

Gosh! This one suck you right into the image Dave, beautiful. mal

Your processing has made this a great photo - nice work.

i'm so glad that you've started to provide the originals of your photos in every entry. i love being able to compare them with the final results and marveling your post-processing skills XD

if you don't mind my asking, why is this series of photos called "dear liza"?

Thanks for the view of the original. Nice work.

I must agree with doreen, I am in love with your posting of the originals because it makes my visits even more inspiring. Your post-processing skills are amazing! Your images give me such a good feeling, I've just always loved the tones you use. They've given you a great style.

Anyway, critiques.

I really like how the yellow pops although I think a lot more can be done with your processing techniques. For example, if you just look closely at where the bottom of the cup meets the sand, I wouldn't suggest a crop but just a closer shot with the same processing would make for a very abstract image. With your editing technique the use of a mock tilt-shift lens blur could also be awesome with objects you find on the beach.

I don't know, that's more of an idea than a critique but I'm just trying to imagine the range of your possibilities!

Although, I do have one question. I'm finally working to purchase my first L lens, and I was wondering if you might suggest what would make for a best "first buy." I'm leaning towards the 24-70 f/2.8 L USM because that seems to be the most versatile-- one I might use most often.

Being a student I do a wide range of subjects from landscapes and documentary of buildings and places, to portraits both studio and environmental.

Obviously every photographer is different but if you could maybe tell me the one lens you would keep if you had to get rid of all the others, that would be great!

great one, simple but efficient

Great shot, stunning light, well done.

Is a good idea post the original and the final picture. Is like " magic "

Thanks everyone.

doreen: the title comes from a song/nursery rhyme which starts with the phrase " There's a hole in the bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza". Years ago, I decided to title all my images, and I often wish I hadn't as it can take as long to come up with a title as it does to post-process them. What it often means is that some of my titles can be a bit obscure :-)

Michael: I did try a closer shot, but much preferred this one when I came to edit them. As for your question about which lens to buy: the 24-70 is probably the one I'd keep if I had to get rid of all the rest of my lenses. It's really sharp, and it has a useful range. That said, if you're using a camera with a 1.6 crop you would probably be better off with the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM. I haven't used one, but have heard good reports.

Nice one! Great colors! I like in particular the contrast with yello and background!

The mix of colours and textures works particularly well.

Very nice, I like these shots.

Fantastic! Quite a difference btw the before and after. I really like the processing you did. It seems so subtle overall, yet when comparing it to the original, it's such a big difference. But still looks very natural. As always, you do great work.

Great shot. Very good details

Great photos, like the effect of the sand only being in focus around the bottom of the bucket.

nice dof, but i'm wondering if the sandal is in close proximity to this bucket? is that a snail on the right in the sand?

Great use of reduced dof! Like it!