Winter's Warmth - repost

Gallery: LandscapePosted April 28, 2010985 views38 comments

I was reworking this image a few weeks back, using techniques that I have learned since first processing the image about 2 years ago. I also kept in mind many of the suggestions made by the fantastic photographers here.

So here is the second version. Big changes include better color balance across all aspects of the image, better sharpening, and the use of TK's masks to balance tonalities and bring out shadow detail.

I'll include the original (my first ever image posted on NPN) version for comparison.

Comments and suggestions are always welcome!

Comments

38 comments

Comment posted by Cory O'Neill on April 28, 2010 at 10:44 PM

And the original, for comparison.

Registered on October 4, 2008, 28 Posts, 273 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Kayne on April 28, 2010 at 10:46 PM

Registered on November 1, 2003, 573 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Regner on April 28, 2010 at 10:48 PM

Much improved over your original. Nice composition and great colors.

Registered on February 10, 2008, 17 Posts, 169 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on April 28, 2010 at 10:53 PM

Still a fantastic image, but much improved processing IMO. The color cast is much improved and shadow detail in the foreground trees is much better.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments

Comment posted by Kenn Leonhardt on April 28, 2010 at 11:09 PM

Huge improvement, without a doubt. Quite a lovely scene.

Registered on March 29, 2008, 27 Posts, 1710 Comments

Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on April 28, 2010 at 11:20 PM

Outstanding transformation!

Neil

Registered on October 30, 2009, 156 Posts, 749 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on April 28, 2010 at 11:24 PM

WOW, what an image and what a difference. The new one is superb! You expertly brought out the potential that was lurking here. This could easily be a signature print for you.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on April 28, 2010 at 11:56 PM

Magnificent. Huge difference in processing Cory. I like the foreground snow color in the new version and the trees are much, much sharper with a more ntural color. Much less purple/pink! Great rework IMHO.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Goldwasser on April 29, 2010 at 12:46 AM

Wow! Not only a spectacular image, but also a great example of how important processing is - really nice work.

Registered on May 10, 2009, 127 Posts, 970 Comments

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on April 29, 2010 at 1:14 AM

What a great improvement. The colors are much more balanced and its much sharper. Congrats on this one Cory.

Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on April 29, 2010 at 2:54 AM

This knocks spots off the original version Cory. It looks terrific.

Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Yan Zhang on April 29, 2010 at 3:29 AM

Very nice color and composition, I can see the significant improvement compared to the original one.

Registered on April 10, 2010, 28 Posts, 292 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on April 29, 2010 at 3:35 AM

A stunning shot, just fabulous, Cory! Great job on the rework. I have one very minor suggestion--id back off the sharpening on the tree portion (use a mask or some other selective sharpening method) and that will help mitigate some of the compression. Nice work!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Tal on April 29, 2010 at 6:36 AM

The color palette is just sublime and I love the crisp detail. Winter beauty at its best.

Guy

Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on April 29, 2010 at 6:56 AM

Killer shot Cory, and great improvement from the original posting. Excellent!!

Registered on June 30, 2008, 203 Posts, 2641 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Plant on April 29, 2010 at 7:55 AM

wonderful colors and scene!

Registered on July 7, 2008, 271 Posts, 1657 Comments

Comment posted by Verena & Georg Pop on April 29, 2010 at 8:12 AM

stellar image!
georg

Registered on July 5, 2006, 272 Posts, 2823 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on April 29, 2010 at 9:41 AM

Killer shot and amazing transformation in the processing.

Registered on June 11, 2006, 113 Posts, 2116 Comments

Comment posted by Todd Liotine on April 29, 2010 at 10:33 AM

Huge improvement-stunning image, it makes me want to revisit my older images to how I can improve them.

Registered on July 1, 2008, 131 Posts, 671 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Sieren on April 29, 2010 at 10:59 AM

Nice revisit Cory, I like the difference. Will you go back to it again 2 later? As time goes by there is too much to rework and we get better but as humans we can never remember color. Now if there was only a device that could help us with that?

Registered on January 2, 2008, 360 Posts, 5321 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on April 29, 2010 at 11:47 AM

Looks like you got mad skills now!

Whatever you did, it is a great improvement and now it is a stunning photo!

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on April 29, 2010 at 11:58 AM

What a beautiful scene, and a great improvement! This is pristine - great work Cory.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on April 29, 2010 at 1:02 PM

Clean crisp and clear. Nice

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on April 29, 2010 at 2:45 PM

Beautiful winter scenery Cory, just awesome!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Dark on April 29, 2010 at 6:21 PM

Your processing has certainly come a long way in 2 years...the newer version is just incredible. Lovely winter scene, Cory.

Registered on May 27, 2005, 148 Posts, 1121 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on April 29, 2010 at 7:11 PM

Ah, nothing like a good reprocess. GREAT work.

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by Art Escobado on April 29, 2010 at 7:44 PM

The repost really pops-the sharpness is better.

Registered on January 7, 2007, 0 Posts, 775 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Hartmann on April 29, 2010 at 9:07 PM

You are now Cory-the-real-deal-O’Neill!!

It all looks better but the crisp mountains in the background do it for me.

Congrats on the pic and your skills.

Registered on January 15, 2009, 13 Posts, 772 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on April 29, 2010 at 11:50 PM

Definitely an improvement over the original.

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on May 1, 2010 at 7:24 PM

Stunning the first time, and now even better.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on May 2, 2010 at 2:44 PM

Cory,

A gorgeous winter landscape image. I can only imagine the sight and feelings standing there in front of this scene.

Fabulous job with the re-processing. The crispness and contrast really shine now. This is fantastic.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on May 4, 2010 at 1:10 PM

Someone mentioned this could become one of your signature images. I agree fully. Simply stunning.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on May 4, 2010 at 2:06 PM

Congratulations, Cory. Your rework is certainly worthy of the weekly pick.

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments

Comment posted by mark cillo on May 4, 2010 at 2:08 PM

Well deserved pick! Awesome image

Registered on July 27, 2008, 143 Posts, 1483 Comments

Comment posted by Cory O'Neill on May 4, 2010 at 3:26 PM

Thank you everyone for comments and encouragement. Thanks to all of you, I actually feel like I am mostly in control of processing now. The wealth of knowledge on this site is unbelievable!

Registered on October 4, 2008, 28 Posts, 273 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on May 4, 2010 at 10:37 PM

Cory, beautiful image - and I love to see the improvement!
Congrats on a fine EP!

Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on May 6, 2010 at 12:54 AM

Awesome photo and a great example of how good processing can bring out the best in an image and that it is therefore as important as taking the picture! Congrats.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on May 7, 2010 at 3:35 PM

Just saw the EP, Cory. Congrats. This image definitely deserves recognition.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments