Posted by Cory Freeman on March 19, 2007 at 2:27 AM
I need some input on this one. Not sure if I'm happy about how the overall tonalities in the fg and mg are coming out with this. I combined two exposures from the same raw file to come up with this. Plus some curves, levels, sat, and a warming filter in PS. When I took the image I used a polarizer to enhance the very last bit of sunlight on the clouds. It was getting dark all around so this as presented might be close. Of course the polarizer did it's thing to the sky, but I think this is growing on me. Any thoughts? Too dark, too hyper colors from polarizer?
Paul B. might recognize these clouds as this was taken on the Monday he met Marc A in Lone Pine.
Bottom part looks nice, but sky looks bit artificial. My question is howcome so much difference in cloud in the same area.
However, people familiar with your area may judge it better, as they knows what they observed in reality.
In order to blend two exposures, did you process in HDR? I'm not successful yet, always getting some artificial 'processed' look.
Posted by Cory Freeman on March 19, 2007 at 9:44 AM
Hi Subrata. The sky looks a bit unreal due to the polarizer. I noticed in camera as I was framing this up that with the full effect of the polarizer, I got some serious orange and great separation between the left side and the rest of the clouds. As to how I processed and combined these, I just laid the lighter exposure over the darker one and used a layer mask. I haven't really tried HDR yet. I kinda like the layer masks, it's pretty quick, usually. This one isn't so much about adhearing to reality so much. Thanks for commenting.
Posted by Richard Wong on March 19, 2007 at 6:43 PM
I'm a sucker for those surreal type of polarized skies. Polarizer + Eastern Sierra Sky = Amazing things. The ground is weird though for me. I'm thinking that either all of it (everything except the river) needs to go black, or there needs to be more detail.
I do recall these wonders, Cory. Heck I really like this, is it Velvia? So far as how these look in real life, I can only say you have to be there. When Marc and I worked the Lone Pine area that night it looked to me as the whole sky was on fire we had so much color change after the sun went down. I did not post what I captured here at CANP, three rolls of 6x7 frames, after receiving a few comments in another area that it was not real looking at all. So, after making a few prints for my relatives already of the grand display, I have moved on & I'm looking for new shots to capture as always. Cory, I will link up with you between now and the fall I'm sure, take care!
I think you used polarizer to little extreme (as you said also). Upper right corner is took dark, or may be you did edge burn in Photoshop.
To my eyes, you can make two images out of it. One, water / ground and brighter portion of sky, and the second one from those trees / mountain and entire sky.
"This one isn't so much about adhearing to reality so much" .. yes I agree. Image we make based on our personal vision and imagination.
Using full effect of the polarizer reminds me one thing. One of my instructor at Ansel Adam's Gallery told (with humor) that that it is okay to use push-up bra, Viagra and polarizer, as long as others can't detect it.
Posted by Cory Freeman on March 21, 2007 at 8:46 PM
Looking forward to it Paul.
Richard: I lightened up the reeds and the trees a bit. Thanks for the suggestion. I think it looks better now, that is until I look at it tomorrow, then all bets are off!
Posted by Dan Baumbach on March 22, 2007 at 9:44 AM
I think it looks great as it is now. I really like it.
Discussion
7 repliesPaul B. might recognize these clouds as this was taken on the Monday he met Marc A in Lone Pine.
New to blending exposures so be gentle.
5d, 24-105 with polarizer, tripod, and remote
Bottom part looks nice, but sky looks bit artificial. My question is howcome so much difference in cloud in the same area.
However, people familiar with your area may judge it better, as they knows what they observed in reality.
In order to blend two exposures, did you process in HDR? I'm not successful yet, always getting some artificial 'processed' look.
I think you used polarizer to little extreme (as you said also). Upper right corner is took dark, or may be you did edge burn in Photoshop.
To my eyes, you can make two images out of it. One, water / ground and brighter portion of sky, and the second one from those trees / mountain and entire sky.
"This one isn't so much about adhearing to reality so much" .. yes I agree. Image we make based on our personal vision and imagination.
Using full effect of the polarizer reminds me one thing. One of my instructor at Ansel Adam's Gallery told (with humor) that that it is okay to use push-up bra, Viagra and polarizer, as long as others can't detect it.
Richard: I lightened up the reeds and the trees a bit. Thanks for the suggestion. I think it looks better now, that is until I look at it tomorrow, then all bets are off!
- Dan.