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03/01/2008 09:33:42 PM · #26 |
| I think you've got the basic idea, but I think you went too far on the highlight end, so that some of the forground snow has gotten very light while some still looks grayish, with some rather sharp transitions. The clouds and stuff in the distance looks better. |
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03/01/2008 09:44:49 PM · #27 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
I think you've got the basic idea, but I think you went too far on the highlight end, so that some of the forground snow has gotten very light while some still looks grayish, with some rather sharp transitions. The clouds and stuff in the distance looks better. |
progress is what I'm going for! I now have a starting point and can now hopefully get better!
I meant to take the highlights back down, but was so excited to reupload the photo, I just skipped it. Someday, I'll get the hang of it....I hope. |
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03/01/2008 10:49:34 PM · #28 |
Here's my take on that one. It's a very difficult image to post-process, though well-exposed, because you have detail both in the snowy highlights and in the shadows in the structure of the nearby trestle.
I think this is an example of a setting which would probably benefit from HDR (High Dynamic Range) processing, which combines multiple exposures of the same scene to extend the tonal range.
Original:  My edit:  Screenshot of RGB Curve used:  |
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03/02/2008 01:28:09 AM · #29 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
I think this is an example of a setting which would probably benefit from HDR (High Dynamic Range) processing, which combines multiple exposures of the same scene to extend the tonal range. |
What about using masks to selectively highlight? I've been trying to determine when and when not to use masks and was thinking this was a photo that would work well with masks. |
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03/02/2008 11:20:31 AM · #30 |
I hope you don't mind also taking a shot at it. The first thing wasn't even part of your OP but it bothered me...sorry. and is likly illegal in most challenges...I leveled the bridge in the background. I had a hard time looking at the image without getting the feeling I was falling over. I love the leading lines the railroad tracks make and realize that the background isn't level because of the angles but still thought I'd take a really fast shot at it.
After the leveling, and to address your original question...I added a curves level and made very small adjustments, then a contrast boost level. Was going to do a USM but forgot.
[thumb]653546[/thumb]
Can't wait to see your challenge entry and see if anyone can help. |
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03/02/2008 11:43:01 AM · #31 |
Originally posted by Moose408:
Originally posted by GeneralE:
I think this is an example of a setting which would probably benefit from HDR (High Dynamic Range) processing, which combines multiple exposures of the same scene to extend the tonal range. |
What about using masks to selectively highlight? I've been trying to determine when and when not to use masks and was thinking this was a photo that would work well with masks. |
Masks would probably make it easier to adjust the lighter and darker areas separately, but it might be tedious to make a mask for a somewhat "busy" image like this which didn't look obvious. If I was to try that, I'd probably just mask off there nearer trestle (and maybe the rails). |
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03/02/2008 12:07:25 PM · #32 |
I have been looking thru this thread, and haven't seen anyone mention using settings in the camera to improve the image during shooting. If you are shooting .jpg, you may want to play with different dynamic and white balance, as well as sharpness settings. You are using good lenses, so that isn't the issue. There is a possibility that you are using a UV filter that is causing some kind of contrast or sharpness softness. It has happened to me. Try a couple of shots with no filter on the lens and see how they look.
In the first posted image, my first impression about it was that there were very few things casting shadows, due to the topography of the landscape. I had to find the shadow of the fence post and the little shack to see where the sun was in the shot. Earlier or later in the day would have been a little better, and the light color would look nicer.
In the train tracks shot, the out of level horizon was the first thing that I noticed, as  sabphoto mentioned. I also noticed that there is very little bright color in the shot, other than the one red spot in the background, perhaps a B&W conversion would have made a difference. If you do convert a shot like that, try reducing color saturation to minimum or nearly minimum, then move the color sliders to see which color (channel) settings make the best B&W, or toned image. With the B&W, you can still do the other processing steps like levels and curves and get different results from the same image.
ETA, I see that the tracks shot was for the "Leading Lines" challenge, so I feel that it would have been stronger if made simpler by moving up to the trestle for the shot in order to eliminate all the background on the left. That way the image would be limited to the trestle, with the big frame of the sides of the trestle, and the part of the one in the background going across in the distance. Don't put much weight in my thoughts about composition though, I missed the brown ribbon by one place in that challenge.
; )
Message edited by author 2008-03-02 12:17:43.
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03/02/2008 12:36:32 PM · #33 |
| I have no filters for my lenses, I was looking at getting a polarizing one for my 17-85mm, and just a UV filter for my 85mm. |
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03/02/2008 03:08:39 PM · #34 |
You will like having a polarizer. If you get the polarizer to fit the largest diameter lens, then you can use it on the other lens with a step up ring which is not expensive at all. I do that with a couple of my lenses and it works nicely. I do have UV's to fit all of my lenses, but rarely leave one on when shooting unless the environment is ugly, like wind with dust and sand, or salt spray.
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03/02/2008 05:32:22 PM · #35 |
The things that a good photographer does before taking a shot are much more important than any post processing steps. If the subject matter of a photo is dull and uninteresting, then who cares if it has high dynamic range or loads of detail? The same can be said for interesting subjects that are presented poorly. Good post processing can turn a good photo into a great photo, but it cannot change a turd into a diamond.
Art is communication, so having something to say is the obvious first step. Then you want to say it in such a way that it grabs the viewer’s attention and doesn’t let go. You do that with the usual bag of tricks--composition, lighting, DOF, etc... Don’t try for subtly. That can come later, after you’re famous and want seem mysterious and inscrutable, or just want to screw around with your audience’s heads a bit. Once you have a good photo, then it’s time for those nifty post processing tricks.
$0.02 + S&H
Message edited by author 2008-03-02 17:34:03. |
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03/02/2008 10:33:35 PM · #36 |
Originally posted by Mick:
The things that a good photographer does before taking a shot are much more important than any post processing steps. If the subject matter of a photo is dull and uninteresting, then who cares if it has high dynamic range or loads of detail? The same can be said for interesting subjects that are presented poorly. Good post processing can turn a good photo into a great photo, but it cannot change a turd into a diamond.
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I concur.
Also, yeah, sure, your best light is during the golden hours of the day, but, if you don't know how the light is going to affect your surroundings, then you may be in the wrong place.
Separation, color and depth are part of lighting, as well as highlight and shadow.
You can photoshop a photo all day long, but if you don't have the basic fundamental of light in your image, curves won't help.
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