Shot on Provia in the 4X5. Like the Yankee Boy tarn shot, its still a work in progress, but would like to get comments on it. I mentioned it before, but I'm transitioning from Elements 3 to Lightroom and CS3 and as such some skills I'm having to relearn, and some features in CS3 I'm experimenting with.
This first shot was processed in CS3. I used one of the color adjustment layers to reduce magenta from the neutrals greens to correct a color cast that developed in the scan. Then I used a level layer with a mask to reduce the falloff around the edges.
This is the second version. It was processed in Elements where I used my home cooked method of luminosity masks to increase the punch in the sunlit sections. I did this by creating a photo filter layer with the 81 filter (warming) applied to a mask built from the red channel. I painted off a few areas to keep from shifting the color in the clouds. Then I applied another layer with the red channel mask to increase saturation on all colors. However, I can't get rid of the magenta as easily in Elements so its still there.
I think ultimately, a point somewhere between these two is what I'm trying to reach.
Mel... that larger version does justice to the picture!!! beuatiful place and excellent lighting.I like the saturated tarn down there. And I just saw the second version...that is more saturated, more contrast...like you said there is a magenta cast but I think I prefer that..I like that version. regards, Rajeev
Mel, the ESS shot is much better composition wise than this one. Something about this one just seems off; it might be the feeling of a tilted horizon - nothing in this shot seems level to me. The color in the ESS shot seems about perfect too, great image you have in that post, but I suppose you feel compelled to develop this more since it's the 4x5.
In my opinion, the ESS shot wins hands down over this one due to the emotional response it gives and this one lacks. I'd go as far as saying don't waste your time on this one; the other is just so much better.
That particular shot was from a digital capture and it was taken a few minutes earlier when the light had more of a pink color than a orange color. It was pretty much all done in camera with a bit in Lightroom.
My goal is to get this 4X5 shot to that level or beyond.
I wouldn't go for a point between. I think the second version has a lot more kick, and I wouldn't want to see any less. Cool vantage point.
Posted by Laurent Baig on July 30, 2008 at 5:14 PM
Mel, this is a sweet sweet image. I love the punch that your elements processing gave the image, and I'd hate for you to lose that with your CS3 processing. My only suggestion is to burn down the bright central peak a bit
I think the right term is that I'm aiming for a combination of the best of both, not a point in between. I think the greens are better in the first and the ridge and sky are better in the second. I'm not sure about the shaded snow and talus. The purple hues are nice, but obviously are not neutral. I think the blue of the lake in the second is better.
Layer->New Adjustment Layer->Selective Color.
Choose 'Neutrals' as the color and add yellow to taste.
You can always use a layer mask to 'erase' the sections where the effect is too strong or just doesn't look right.
The thing that really grabs my attention is how light and pale the image is. The 2nd version is an improvement, but it feels way off still. Flipping between this and the ESS image reveals the magnitude of difference. Obviously it depends on the look that you're going for, but I would want more tonal density in the middle area. The alpenglow also looks too light and pale. A quick pass with the color burn tool in PS CS3 gives a rough estimation of what I'd have in mind.
Great comp and well worth the effort to get the processing nailed.
Discussion
17 repliesThis first shot was processed in CS3. I used one of the color adjustment layers to reduce magenta from the neutrals greens to correct a color cast that developed in the scan. Then I used a level layer with a mask to reduce the falloff around the edges.
You can see a bit bigger version with the correct sharpening applied here.
http://www.ladewigs.com/Gallery/d/1265-1/BLB_45_RDP_20080726_03_001.jpg
I think ultimately, a point somewhere between these two is what I'm trying to reach.
The processing was nearly perfect on that one.
In my opinion, the ESS shot wins hands down over this one due to the emotional response it gives and this one lacks. I'd go as far as saying don't waste your time on this one; the other is just so much better.
That particular shot was from a digital capture and it was taken a few minutes earlier when the light had more of a pink color than a orange color. It was pretty much all done in camera with a bit in Lightroom.
My goal is to get this 4X5 shot to that level or beyond.
I think the right term is that I'm aiming for a combination of the best of both, not a point in between. I think the greens are better in the first and the ridge and sky are better in the second. I'm not sure about the shaded snow and talus. The purple hues are nice, but obviously are not neutral. I think the blue of the lake in the second is better.
Mel-
Layer->New Adjustment Layer->Selective Color.
Choose 'Neutrals' as the color and add yellow to taste.
You can always use a layer mask to 'erase' the sections where the effect is too strong or just doesn't look right.
Great comp and well worth the effort to get the processing nailed.