Valley of Dreams

Gallery: LandscapePosted April 7, 2014464 views9 comments

One year ago I got to witness this amazing sunrise from Tunnel View at Yosemite. Yesterday and today I revisited this image to see if I could do any better with the processing compared to a year ago. The original edit is HERE. I used a couple different sky exposures to better control the cloud highlights, and made some other refinements to contrast and saturation. Maybe I'll revisit the processing this time each year to see if I'm getting any better over time.

I'm open to any suggestions on other refinements you'd make if the image was yours, but I'm particularly interested in whether you think the area in the left center background (near half dome where the clouds hit the mountains) looks natural enough. This was a tricky spot because the color temp in the original was quite cool and looked a little unnatural. I warmed it up a little but if that spot doesn't look right to you I'm open to suggestions. Thanks for looking.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Ronald Murphy on April 7, 2014 at 2:47 PM

The new processing certainly is a lot more vivid. I like it. But as to your question, those background mountains in the new one look slightly COOLER than in the old one. Maybe it's my monitor. Or me.

Registered on March 13, 2012, 279 Posts, 975 Comments

Comment posted by Jared Warren on April 7, 2014 at 2:53 PM

Thanks, Ronald, for the quick response. You're right, I left that spot cooler in the newer edit (though still with some warming), and I'm wondering what would make that spot look most natural (warm it up, leave it cool, dodge, burn, desaturate?). Thanks!

Registered on May 11, 2012, 84 Posts, 931 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on April 7, 2014 at 3:22 PM

This is quite beautiful as is. My only nit is the flat bluff in the bg. To my eye, there's something 'off' about it so distracts me from all the great elements around it. It's probably just me, but you might see if you can coax a bit more contrast out if it.

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Jose Fernandez on April 7, 2014 at 3:24 PM

Wow Jared amazing shot. For my taste a bit warmer would be better

Registered on July 25, 2011, 77 Posts, 172 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Stenger on April 7, 2014 at 4:43 PM

Great shot and great improvement in comparison with your original post. The image looks completely natural to me and my only suggestion would be that, perhaps, the image could be a little bit lighter.

Registered on May 9, 2013, 27 Posts, 163 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on April 7, 2014 at 5:34 PM

The lighting and the clouds make this special, Jarred. Great catch! The contrast in the furthest mountain/cloud does seem a touch light, but it's such a small part of the scene that it doesn't catch much attention.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on April 7, 2014 at 5:55 PM

This is a beautiful scene to behold. And this is a beautiful take on the valley. Excellent.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on April 7, 2014 at 10:31 PM

Just bonkers conditions. Looks pretty solid here. Might watch the area above the falls with the blend/darkness. Light and clouds that we dream of.

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

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on April 9, 2014 at 8:29 PM

I think this is pretty awesome, and I'd be pretty happy with it. Some of the best conditions I've seen from that viewpoint. Maybe a little blotchy on the rock formations above the falls, but that is it, imo!

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments