attempt at contrast masking - DPChallenge Forums

06/26/2006 12:43:43 AM · #1

This is my first attempt at contrast masking.
What do you think?
original and PP edit posted.

I would add this to the landscape thread, but I'm afraid I'm way too far behind for that.

Original

edit

edit to actually put the right pics in the right places

Message edited by author 2006-06-26 00:45:57.

06/26/2006 01:17:17 AM · #2

Here's a quick stab at it, basically following your approach but maintaining separation between trees and foreground. Then I added a gradient layer in soft light mode and made the sky/clouds more dramatic. Used 3 gradients: one from top down, then one from each side at an angle.

There's nothing to keep you from doing this in the landscape thread, btw.

Robt.

06/26/2006 01:31:14 AM · #3

Thanks Robert
Next time I will post there. I'm not sure I see the advantage of the gradient layers.

I'm still working through the landscape thread--so much to read. My question though is how to separate the trees from the mountain. I'm sure it's in the landscape thread--I'll keep reading.

06/26/2006 01:34:15 AM · #4

Originally posted by anmldoc:

In my version, to keep the foreground separation intact, I had to use a contrast masking solution that did not darken the sky anywhere near as much as yours is darkened; the gradients, on a soft light layer, darken the sky progressively without eliminating the clouds.

Robt.

06/26/2006 01:57:33 AM · #5

Robert
I appreciate your patience with me. Thanks for explaining the gradient layers and their purposes. I do see the differences now that you pointed them out (I think I need a new monitor--I don't think my laptop shows enough contrast).

I'm still not clear on how you did the contrast masking in such a way as to separate out the trees from the background. I apologize for being so thickheaded about this whole thing...but I do think I'm making progress.

Eric

06/26/2006 02:05:16 AM · #6

Here's my version after ONLY the contrast masking has been applied:

1. cntrl-alt-tilde, cntrl-j for the highlights mask

2. Return to base layer, cntrl-alt-tilde + cntrl-shift-i (inverts selection), cntrl-j for the shadows mask

3. Set highlights mask to soft light mode, 100% opacity

4. Set shadows mask to screen mode, 52% opacity

In my finished version, I added a levels adjustment layer and brought the sliders down from each side to match the new tonal range, then the gradients as described.

Robt.

06/26/2006 09:58:15 AM · #7

Thanks Robert!
I appreciate the help. Thanks again for your patience. This is beginning to make more sense to me. I just need more practice.
Eric

Artifacts

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/26/2006 10:18:25 AM · #8

There is something you might consider doing before applying contrast masking.

It is good standard practice to check "levels" right off the bat when you start post processing images. You won't always need it but you will more often than not. That approach is worth thinking about with this particular image. It needs a right side levels adjustment. In your original image a simple levels adjustment would achieve many of your original intentions for post processing the image right off the top.

In this approach you duplicate your background layer and apply a standard levels adjustment (move the left slider right and right slider left to meet the luminosity graphic display where needed) directly on the duplicated data layer rather than in a separate adjustment layer and then you are at a nice starting point for going on to apply contrast masking.

Just a thought.

06/26/2006 01:41:51 PM · #9

Thanks STdavidson
I appreciate your input as well

06/26/2006 01:47:57 PM · #10

Originally posted by stdavidson:

This is good advice, surely, in the sense that many images can be "leveled" into acceptability, and even more can be "leveled & curved" to good effect.

However, I am finding that when I use the lowest contrast setting available to me (in my case, in RAW processing, but this applies to jpg as well) and then do "contrast masking" as my FIRST processing step (on normal images) I have much more precise control, through various layer modes, over the tonality of the image.

In other words, I started out by only using "contrast masking" in the normal way, to contain the tonal range on very contrasty images, but now I've evolved to where I use it even more often to EXPAND the tonal range on very flat images, and it does this extremely well. "Soft Light" mode is your friend...

R.

Artifacts

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/26/2006 03:05:31 PM · #11

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

... I started out by only using "contrast masking" in the normal way, to contain the tonal range on very contrasty images, but now I've evolved to where I use it even more often to EXPAND the tonal range on very flat images, and it does this extremely well. "Soft Light" mode is your friend...

You are probably right. I doubt you ever met an image you couldn't 'contrast mask'. :)

Warning: Poor, low grade humor to follow...

Ah, yes... I remember it almost as if it was yesterday... from your speech in Washington DC on that cold, cold January morning when you said these immortal words...

"Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of image processing -- born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace..."

After that went on to explain 'contrast masking', then in thundering conclusion said...

"And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your 'contrast masking' can do for you; ask what you can do with your 'contrast masking'"

That was you, wasn't it? LOL!!!

06/26/2006 03:39:17 PM · #12

No, that was my brother, Bear_Kennedy. He was well ahead of his time...

R.

Artifacts

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/26/2006 03:58:33 PM · #13

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

No, that was my brother, Bear_Kennedy. He was well ahead of his time...

I knew it had to be one of you Bears. Btw... you guys ever forgive Davy Crockett?

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

06/26/2006 04:02:05 PM · #14

Originally posted by stdavidson:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:
No, that was my brother, Bear_Kennedy. He was well ahead of his time...

I knew it had to be one of you Bears. Btw... you guys ever forgive Davy Crockett?

He didn't know any better. We Bears tend to be magnanimous anyhow, so yes, we've forgiven him. To be honest, he did us a bit of a favor; there were way too many of us mauling around in those days, and not all of us were as couth then as we are now; we've come a long ways...

R.

renefunk

Canon EOS-5D

06/26/2006 04:06:12 PM · #15

my way to make good contrast in b and with pics are (basing in laboratoy copy) first make your whites white how? in levels up the whites until the whites lose detail or your with is the white you want
are you following this?? sorry my english
Then the blacks, raise your blacks until losing detail in har shadows.
but it always depend in the taste

yanko

Carl Zeiss 50mm ZE f/1.4 Planar T for Canon

06/26/2006 04:54:11 PM · #16

What do you guys think of this edit? Probably overkill but I darkened the sky because I'm such a sucker for high contrast. :) Btw Eric, great image!

Here's what I did here (working off of Bear's version):

1. Selective color adjustment (Blacks) - I boosted this to 100% while masking out the foreground and the main cloud at the top. I also masked out the top right corner using a 50% opacity soft brush since it was the one area in the sky that was the darkest already.

2. Selective color adjustment (Neutrals) - I boosted this to 20%. Again I masked out the foreground and main cloud. When I did the first selective color adjustment the top part of the sky got darker but the lower part of the sky provided too much of a steep gradient transition so by darkening the neutrals a bit it made the sky gradient more smooth and natural.

3. Selective color adjustment (Whites) - I adjusted this down to -44% and masked out everything but the sky. This brighten the top cloud just a bit in the highlights area.

4. Curves - I dragged the line down just a bit (Input = 178, Output 164). Again I masked out the foreground and top cloud. This darkened the sky a bit more. Now I could have just done this in the beginning but IMO this is like using a broad sword to cut butter. Sure it will do the job but it'll also make a mess. :P I thought this way I was better able to control the adjustment I was making with the gradient in the sky.

5. Color Balance - Maybe this is overkill but I felt this image could have a tad bit of color (blue) to make it feel colder. The setting I used here was 0,0,+39 in the Shadows with "Preserve Luminosity" not checked.

That's it. Verdict = I like it but did I overkill it and loose the feel of the image?

Message edited by author 2006-06-26 16:58:10.