Learning Thread — Landscape Photography

06/16/2006 12:43:41 AM · #876

OK, did this version with PSP10 so I am not sure if you can duplicate it anyway but it was fun to give it a shot.

Steps I used are:
1. Duplicate bg, apply effects B&W film, sepia toning, muliply mode, erase some areas of layer on cliffs
2. Duplicate above layer, multiply mode at 65%, erase some areas in water pool and at base of cliff
3. Merge all layers
4. Digital noise removal correction blend 40 to soften overall focus
5. Crop to 8x10
5a. Increase brightness and contrast
6. Resize to 640x800
7. Save as jpg using smart size

Does my processing make it too dark? I am finding my photos look OK to me on my LCD screen at home but when I view them on a CRT at work (not callibrated at all), they are always very dark.

Note: As justin_hewlett confirmed it was dark, I have increased b/c and reloaded, hopefully it's better. Now to go look for some calibration software and to slap my spouse's knuckles for changing my monitor settings! (j/k)

Message edited by author 2006-06-16 10:01:12.

06/16/2006 01:56:15 AM · #877

Originally posted by justin_hewlett:

When I get more time later I'm going to experiment with sharpening some more. I propose 4 test edits - The first two resizing to web in small steps, the second two resizing in one step. Within both of those I'll sharpen before and after in one, and only after on the other. I'll post my result later and see which looks the best.

Hmmm, I tried all four scenarios and there's not a big difference in any of them. Here's what I came up with.

Observations:
Resizing in one step will produce a sharper image. Step resizing, while good for making sure diagnol lines don't get jaggedy, produces a much softer image overall. Using a higher USM value seemed to bring the detail back, though, so I'm a bit undecided as to which is better for general use.

Whether or not an image was sharpened before the resize made little difference in the final version.

Also, in a separate experiment, I tried Steve's practive of using noise reduction before all other processing. This removed a lot of detail to begin with, and most of that detail wasn't recoverable with USM. I think I'll stick with my practice of applying noise reduction on the final, web-sized image.

06/16/2006 01:57:01 AM · #878

Originally posted by Prism:

Does my processing make it too dark?

Edit: Looks much better now.

Message edited by author 2006-06-16 16:22:52.

06/17/2006 12:16:37 PM · #879

Originally posted by Prism:

Originally posted by justin_hewlett:

Here's my take on this.

Thanks Prism. You took an interesting approach to the image with the duplicated layer using multiply. I assume that was to add some drama and/or contrast. That is what made it dark. Just goes to show a well calibrated monitor is a must. :)

I tried it in color then converted to BW... Don't think it is any better than Prism's or Justin's, but I took a shot at it. :)

...

I studied DrAchoo's 6.7 entry in the take two challenge...

I wanted to identify what garnered the higher score. He does not specifically say this in the post processing steps but I'd be shocked if he didn't hand paint in colors as he wanted them. Blue and green primarily. Those colors look superimposed on the image to me. If that can be done with Hue/Sat and selective color alone then I got a lot more to learn.

The characteristics I think worked for DrAchoo's image are these:
1-Start with a good picture. Nice composition combined with slower shutter speed for water motion capture. It is good right out of the camera.
2-Solid technicals... lighting, balance, composition brought out with standard pp.
3-Color painting for added effect (I think)
4-Hyperfine sharpening combined with some type of light smoothing (I think)

It is interesting to note that if you look at both Rikki's and DrAchoo's work that you will see similarities in their use of dramatic colors. It is almost like Heida's use of dramatic dodge and burn, only color instead. Makes for very artistic photographs.

06/17/2006 12:27:50 PM · #880

Originally posted by justin_hewlett:

All right, here's another. Couldn't decide between the color/BW:

To my eyes, the color version here is FAR superior. I think it's extraordinarily well done.

I have been super busy, thanks everyone for keeping this going. It's a true community effort now. I'm going to take my own stab at Steve's "tall fall" later this evening, after the U.S. Open is done...

R.

06/17/2006 12:39:32 PM · #881

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by justin_hewlett:
All right, here's another. Couldn't decide between the color/BW:

To my eyes, the color version here is FAR superior. I think it's extraordinarily well done.

I agree 100%... Justin did an incredible job with the color.

06/17/2006 12:42:58 PM · #882

Originally posted by stdavidson:

I agree 100%... Justin did an incredible job with the color.

Oy, thanks much. That was a nice image to play with, plenty of fine color to bring out. The first thing I noticed when I looked at your original was the dramatic lighting on the rocks.

06/17/2006 12:46:13 PM · #883

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

after the U.S. Open is done...

Tennis is a fine sport...but...during the World Cup?

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

06/17/2006 07:47:16 PM · #884

I actually took the approach I did because you said you were looking for something different from your usual style of post-processing. I like the way multiply mode intensifies everything and in this case, to me anyway, gave it a more dramatic feel.

Originally posted by justin_hewlett:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:
after the U.S. Open is done...

Tennis is a fine sport...but...during the World Cup?

What no hockey fans??? Tonight is do or die for the Oilers! Go Edmonton!

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

06/17/2006 09:13:22 PM · #885

Originally posted by Prism:

What no hockey fans??? Tonight is do or die for the Oilers! Go Edmonton!

Not it's not -- the Oilers are up 3 games to 2 -- it's DOD for the Panthers ...

06/18/2006 01:58:12 AM · #886

The Edmonton Oilers were playing the Carolina Hurricanes and won tonight so it's back to Carolina for Game 7 for the Stanley Cup! (Sorry, no Panthers in this series :)

Don't mess with my head GeneralE, I don't watch American football! (which I think are the teams you're referring to??) ;P

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

06/18/2006 02:14:32 AM · #887

Originally posted by Prism:

What no hockey fans???

Guess you're the only Canadian here ;)

Message edited by author 2006-06-18 02:15:55.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

06/18/2006 02:59:00 AM · #888

Originally posted by Prism:

Ugh ... sorry -- it was reflexive. I sorta faded on the Stanley Cup when the Oilers wiped out the Sharks ...

However, to somehow try and relate this to the thread, a great "landscape" I'll probably never have a chance to take is some kids playing hockey on the local pond (longshot) ... maybe you northerners might think about it for next winter.

Message edited by author 2006-06-18 03:01:36.

06/18/2006 08:54:42 AM · #889

Originally posted by justin_hewlett:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:
after the U.S. Open is done...

Tennis is a fine sport...but...during the World Cup?

PHILISTINE! That's U.S. Open Golf! At WINGED FOOT! And the course is winning :-)

R.

06/18/2006 09:48:44 AM · #890

Originally posted by stdavidson:

Originally posted by Prism:

Originally posted by justin_hewlett:

Here's my take on this.

Thanks Prism. You took an interesting approach to the image with the duplicated layer using multiply. I assume that was to add some drama and/or contrast. That is what made it dark. Just goes to show a well calibrated monitor is a must. :)

I tried it in color then converted to BW... Don't think it is any better than Prism's or Justin's, but I took a shot at it. :)

...

I studied DrAchoo's 6.7 entry in the take two challenge...

I wanted to identify what garnered the higher score. He does not specifically say this in the post processing steps but I'd be shocked if he didn't hand paint in colors as he wanted them. Blue and green primarily. Those colors look superimposed on the image to me. If that can be done with Hue/Sat and selective color alone then I got a lot more to learn.

The characteristics I think worked for DrAchoo's image are these:
1-Start with a good picture. Nice composition combined with slower shutter speed for water motion capture. It is good right out of the camera.
2-Solid technicals... lighting, balance, composition brought out with standard pp.
3-Color painting for added effect (I think)
4-Hyperfine sharpening combined with some type of light smoothing (I think)

It is interesting to note that if you look at both Rikki's and DrAchoo's work that you will see similarities in their use of dramatic colors. It is almost like Heida's use of dramatic dodge and burn, only color instead. Makes for very artistic photographs.

Here's a more saturated take on it, involving multiple contrast-masking layers, the selection of the tree on the left and color-shifting it, the selection of the sky and adding a touch of color to it, and then gothic glow on top of all THAT...

Interesting everyone always is mentioning rikki and the doc now for "dramatic color", when I used to be the one that got labeled that way not so long ago :-)

06/18/2006 11:42:28 AM · #891

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Like your take on this image. I used Shadow/Highlight on my version of it but strictly to bring out the detail in the basaltic rocks... then proceeded to take most of it away again. :)

I mentioned DrAchoo because Multnomah Falls and Silver Creek Falls are very, very similar in geology and flora and his work makes a good comparison.

Both Rikki and DrAchoo go way over the top on many of their landscapes. They add a bit extra you and I might not. You and I tend more toward a documentary presentation of a landscape. They lean more toward an artistic representation.

I actually tried to do what I thought would be a DrAchoo version of that image. I just painted on extra colors. Mine is not even remotely close to being as well done or as audacious a presentation as his.

06/18/2006 12:05:52 PM · #892

I need to do something different for my DPC submissions. That I know. I have two current entries in but voters don't think either one is worth squat. I thought I did a reasonably decent job of post processing them to but they are performing amazingly, similarly bad. LOL!
----------------------------
Shadows III

Votes: 169
Views: 241
Avg Vote: 5.5266
Comments: 6
Favorites: 0
Wish Lists: 0
Updated: 06/18/06 11:10 am
----------------------------
Framing II

Votes: 187
Views: 231
Avg Vote: 5.5294
Comments: 6
Favorites: 0
Wish Lists: 0
Updated: 06/18/06 11:10 am

06/18/2006 12:10:58 PM · #893

I'm 5.58 and 4.75 in the same two challenges :-)

But, in my own twisted mind, I'm one of very few entries that actually meets the challenge in "Framing II"; I intend to discuss that challenge description when the voting's over, but I've refrained up 'til now jejejâ�¢

R.

06/18/2006 12:19:44 PM · #894

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

I thought I was pretty good with my natural framing one to, but unfortunately I did not have the luxury to return the next day for morning light that would have been a lot better. Dang! I'll be interested to see how it compares with yours. You can probably tell which one is mine already. I'll look to see if I can guess yours.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

06/18/2006 12:20:27 PM · #895

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by Prism:
The Edmonton Oilers were playing the Carolina Hurricanes and won tonight so it's back to Carolina for Game 7 for the Stanley Cup! (Sorry, no Panthers in this series :)

Don't mess with my head GeneralE, I don't watch American football! (which I think are the teams you're referring to??) ;P

Ugh ... sorry -- it was reflexive. I sorta faded on the Stanley Cup when the Oilers wiped out the Sharks ...

However, to somehow try and relate this to the thread, a great "landscape" I'll probably never have a chance to take is some kids playing hockey on the local pond (longshot) ... maybe you northerners might think about it for next winter.

Kids skating you say...oh, people in landscape...found this one in my assorted taken but never did anything with files (as not that great a pic, didn't like the shadows after I took it) The tree on the right was very slanted so for the first time I have tried perspective correction tool on a shot to bring it to vertical. This is a new one-step tool now in PSP 10, that seems to do a decent job of it.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

06/18/2006 12:25:00 PM · #896

Originally posted by Prism:

I like the combination of the warm lighting with the snow and skaters -- actually makes it look like fun! Thanks!

06/19/2006 01:57:00 AM · #897

In order to add to the discussion I thought I'd post some of my recent landscape shots for review. These were all taken a few days ago on a hike:

If needed, I can post orignals, processing steps, etc. Comments welcomed.

06/19/2006 09:32:12 AM · #898

Originally posted by justin_hewlett:

General impressions... The two black and whites are my favorites. I think the high contrast B&W processing on the tree trunks works well and I can easily understand how you'd be attracted to them as subjects. The technical processing, particularly in sharpness, seems a bit better than the other images. The last two pictures have overexposed areas in the water.

They are all decent photographs, no major defects, but seem to have a kinda point-and-shoot perspective. I would be interested in knowing how these would have looked from different angles or perspectives. Guess that strikes a cord with me because I miss a lot of good perspective shots and think about it later after returning hiome. :)