2 versions of smilar scenes

Both shot on the same day about the same time with the same camera settings...I think I only moved my tripod from one spot to the other...

I have been getting lots of comments on over processing images. So tonight I sat down and did some thinking about what I was doing, the effects it was having and how my images were looking to the rest of the Photographic world.....

I realized you were right, ever since I got CS3 I have been experimenting and trying new things, sometimes people have actually sent me videos on how to do something as well...so I have been putting all this into a shot glass of an image and I spilled....and realized I needed to go back to the basics....keep it simple stupid.....

so here are 2 images just to show you side by side examples of what I am talking about....the first image is horrible...and I feel the second is much much better....

Thanks again for all the comments and advice...

Darren

and the better version

Yes...Darren, I think we all do this...OK, most of us...OK just you and me . The second one is MUCH better but IMHO, the yellow moss is still a tad too yellow.

I guess I have seen both of you do this at some point... Rick - your recent stuff has been really nice. Darren - I'm glad you're evaluating these things. I would agree with your assessments.

I've overprocessed lots of images trying to "save" them. No one's ever made that comment in a forum, but I usually know when I've overdone it in a desperate attempt to salvage something from a bad shoot. So make that three of us...

I like the second one. It looks real nice.

Almost without exception, the longer I look at an image on my monitor, the better it looks with more saturation and contrast. It's an incremental thing--like the proverbial frog in a pot of boiling water. Eventually I realize that I'm looking at a radioactive landscape and start over or back out the changes.

The second image really looks good (except for the heavy yellows Rick mentioned). The one that sticks out in my mind as really well done is the comp from Wahkeena with the bridge and the creek cascading down from the upper left. That one really popped for me.

Mike, thanks.....I am working on that shot again this year...I was up there 2 weeks ago and the conditions were not great.....I only have a small copy of that image because that was taken before I started posting here...I think it was my very first post...Back then I just made web copies...no masters...so I need to get back up there and get my master shot....

Been here, done that, still do it every once in a while. Then I usually catch myself and draw the reigns in saying "Whoa Eric", if ya gotta do that much enhancement then something is wrong. Go back and get it right in the camera.

Yep, it sure is easy to over-spice the stew, so to speak. Add my name to list of culprits. The second one looks more 'natural' in color to me, Darren, noting that it's still a little over the top with the yellow.