Sunset post processing - DPChallenge Forums

09/06/2003 02:48:20 PM · #1

I was lucky enough to encounter an amazing sunset while boating on the Mississippi River last weekend.

I cropped to 8X10 and adjust levels to get this

I was happy until I printed and realized that the amazing texture and strong diagonal lines in the ski were not that visible. I've made a couple of attempts to bring this out, but just cannot get it. The frustrating part is that I know they are there... Anybody have some post processing suggestions?

Message edited by author 2003-09-06 14:49:29.

e301

09/06/2003 03:19:24 PM · #2

If they're getting blurred into one thing I'd suggest increasing the contrast - but it's more than a little tricky to give you advice when we don't know what the problem is exactly. More info about how the print actually looks would be helpful - brighter, darker, more/less saturated, what print resolution, what printer, what colour space you're working in?

Ed

timj351

Sony DSC-F707

09/06/2003 03:41:29 PM · #3

It sounds like either an issue with your printer or your monitor settings. If you are only trying to print the image on regular paper than it can tend to look more pale than on screen. If you are trying to print on photo paper and it still doesn't look right than you either have chosen the wrong printer setings or the color saturation on your monitor is cranked up to high and isn't giving a true representation of the image. It is a very beautiful image, however it isn't especially vivid on my screen. If you want to make it look a little more dynamic, one trick you can try is to copy your original layer onto a second layer, then in the blending mode for that layer choose Multiply and then play with the layer's opacity values. This is a nice simple way of enhancing a lighter photo. I hope this helps.

T

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

09/06/2003 04:28:34 PM · #4

Sorry for the poor description...

The problem exists in the online images as well as the print, I just didn't notice until I was looking at the print. The top left of the sky had some really great textures when the photo was taken, but they don't stand out in the image. I played with contrast, but it didn't seem to get the affect I was looking for.

Now that I am trying to describe in words, the texture was probably related to the clouds contrasted against the blue sky.

Thanks for looking despite the poor problem description. Color space is sRGB because I could not figure out what DPCPrint was expecting. I ususally use Adobe RGB, but sRGB seemed safer here. Printer is Epson 785EPX. Monitor is LCD on my Powerbook. And my color matching through my workflow is NOT very good, yet.

Imagineer

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

09/06/2003 07:18:07 PM · #5

How does this look to you?

If it's any better I'll explain what I did!

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

09/06/2003 07:58:30 PM · #6

Yes, the top left has more of the texture I was talking about. Please tell me what you did to improve it.

Imagineer

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

09/06/2003 08:12:25 PM · #7

Using Photoshop 7:
1. duped the layer > blend 'Overlay' at 50%
2. select base layer and apply 'Auto Levels' > fade 30%
3. add adjustment layer "Hues & Sat.' > 'Reds' -33, 'Yellows' -25, 'Mag' -50
4. add adjustment layer "Curves' > 'Red' - input 133, output 122
5. add adjustment layer "Bright / Contrast' > 'Bright' +18, 'Contrast' +12

You could get more blue in the sky by less fade on the Auto Levels setting. I actually think the bright area in my edit is too overexposed - I didn't spot edit any adjustment layer masks which would probably help to increase detail in certain light/dark areas. Hope this helps.

You might find someone else out there with much more effective advice than this though! ;)

Message edited by author 2003-09-06 20:16:12.