Posted by Zack Schnepf on June 21, 2007 at 5:10 PM
This was taken moments before the vertical version in ESS. I'm planning on posting this to ESS later this week.
The exposure was particularly tough on this image, this is made up of 3 exposures blended using TK's luminosity masking to mask in the exposures, as well as a liberal amount of hand blending. I gave HDR a shot just for giggles, and I was reminded how much I dislike HDR, it is just too ham handed tool for me, although I have seen certain people who know how to make the most of it better than I.
This was also a test of ACR 4.1, I've been a loyal Capture One user for years now, but my version is having fatal errors and is no longer working. I still like Capture One a bit better for work flow, but ACR finally can hold it's own IMO. I still need to develop a more efficient workflow in ACR, but I like it a lot.
Edit: It is showing up a bit darker in the shadows than the original.
Posted by Darren White on June 21, 2007 at 5:44 PM
Zack, this is nice as well...
I am wondering what would happen if you were to use a small amount of fill light to help the shadow areas....Just a suggestion as I am no expert in ACR 4.1
Really nice, Zachariah. Shadows do seem dark, but given that they are addressed in your master version, then this is about perfect. Those clouds are SWEET.
I'd keep both for sure. I can't pick. I like the darker rock here too. I wouldn't pull much more out.
Posted by Richard Sogn on June 21, 2007 at 6:27 PM
This is beautiful Zack, but I liked the depth in the first version.
Posted by Zack Schnepf on June 21, 2007 at 6:33 PM
Here is a version that more accurately represents the original, it's closer anyway.
I have an exposure that I could use to bring out more detail, but it looks too artificial if I bring out too much. This is about as much as I want to do, you can still see detail in all but the darkest shadows, this is how my mind saw it that day.
Zach, I think I like the 1st version better. It is more dramatic lighting and has more of a feel of motion in the sky and water. Very fine shot, indeed.
Very nice Zach. I prefer this to the portrait version and I think I'd split the difference bewteen the two for shadow detail although looking at a un-colormanaged jpg in IE7 makes critiques on color and exposure a shot in the dark.
Posted by Mike Stovall on June 22, 2007 at 12:57 PM
Great job on blending these exposures. I never thought of using TK's luminosity masks to do a blend--that's a good idea. I really like the exposure with the darker shadows.
If those trees on top of the island are part of the blend, then really good job on the fine blending work. How many stops apart are the different exposures?
Ok, on to the really important part, though. This is a rather fetching scene. You really positioned yourself well for maximum impact of the clouds and separation between the shapes in this photo.
This is wonderful. Great spot and great shot. Good processing too, but that's never really been a big problem for you Zack.
Posted by Tom Kloster on June 23, 2007 at 12:48 AM
Great images, Zack - especially the first one. Really beautiful! The clouds are perfect, but I especially like the light on the top of the island (and accompanying shadows). It really captures the moment.
I am a knucklehead on what the heck HDR, ACR and TK are -- Windows apps, possibly? If so, that would make me feel better for being clueless, since I work on a Mac... otherwise, just more photo stuff to absorb! Sheesh!
Tom
Posted by Zack Schnepf on June 23, 2007 at 2:42 AM
Tom, HDR is an automated program that is part of Photoshop now, it is used to automatically combine bracketed exposures.
ACR is Adobe Camera Raw, the raw converter that comes with new versions of Photoshop.
And TK stands for Tony Kuyper, and in this case his luminosity masking technique.
And all these I use on my awesome Mac as well, I won't touch one of those silly windows machines
Don't do Windows, eh? Well, I've been from Apple to PC and now to???
I really like #1, it grabbed my attention right away. Well worth the effort.
Kevin
Posted by Tom Kloster on June 23, 2007 at 11:18 AM
Thanks for the info, Zack - more reasons to save my sheckles and buy that CS upgrade... after the computer upgrade, of course... and after the auto repairs... and after all that other stuff lined up for cash!
-Tom
Posted by Zack Schnepf on June 23, 2007 at 12:44 PM
hehe, Tom, I know what you mean, it's always something.
Discussion
16 repliesThe exposure was particularly tough on this image, this is made up of 3 exposures blended using TK's luminosity masking to mask in the exposures, as well as a liberal amount of hand blending. I gave HDR a shot just for giggles, and I was reminded how much I dislike HDR, it is just too ham handed tool for me, although I have seen certain people who know how to make the most of it better than I.
This was also a test of ACR 4.1, I've been a loyal Capture One user for years now, but my version is having fatal errors and is no longer working. I still like Capture One a bit better for work flow, but ACR finally can hold it's own IMO. I still need to develop a more efficient workflow in ACR, but I like it a lot.
Edit: It is showing up a bit darker in the shadows than the original.
I am wondering what would happen if you were to use a small amount of fill light to help the shadow areas....Just a suggestion as I am no expert in ACR 4.1
I have an exposure that I could use to bring out more detail, but it looks too artificial if I bring out too much. This is about as much as I want to do, you can still see detail in all but the darkest shadows, this is how my mind saw it that day.
I prefer the darker version. It has a more dramatic feel to it.
Regards,
Christoph
If those trees on top of the island are part of the blend, then really good job on the fine blending work. How many stops apart are the different exposures?
Ok, on to the really important part, though. This is a rather fetching scene. You really positioned yourself well for maximum impact of the clouds and separation between the shapes in this photo.
I am a knucklehead on what the heck HDR, ACR and TK are -- Windows apps, possibly? If so, that would make me feel better for being clueless, since I work on a Mac... otherwise, just more photo stuff to absorb! Sheesh!
Tom
ACR is Adobe Camera Raw, the raw converter that comes with new versions of Photoshop.
And TK stands for Tony Kuyper, and in this case his luminosity masking technique.
And all these I use on my awesome Mac as well, I won't touch one of those silly windows machines
I really like #1, it grabbed my attention right away. Well worth the effort.
Kevin
-Tom