I've been monkeying around with this image for a week and half now - it's a reverse view of the reflection shot that I posted from the headwaters of S. Boulder Creek in the James Peak Wilderness Area.
While shooting, I tried to balance the light with a split ND, then 2 of them combined and decided to just shoot two exposures and blend. With the horizon line very dark anyway, that turned out to be the best approach. Feedback appreciated.
Posted by Todd Caudle on August 6, 2009 at 11:47 AM
As I said, one of your, if not the, best.
Posted by Paul Martin on August 6, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Looks pretty great to me, very nice job on what must have been a lot of work.
Posted by Kurt Rinne on August 6, 2009 at 12:18 PM
This is a great shot Dave, luvin the sweet colors. Your effort here really paid off!
Posted by Guy Schmickle on August 6, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Nice to have all those exposure options, isn't it? I think you did very well processing this. While I'm not overly wild about the horizon's placement at the 50/50 mark, I'm not sure how you could've done things any differently. That colorful curving cloud at the top really makes this shot for me.
TC suggested that I save in sRGB to better preserve some of the rich colors. So, here's a little experiment to see if the result is closer to the much more brilliant TIFF.
Maybe I need to start over.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on August 6, 2009 at 4:00 PM
The second is much better on my display and its really nice!
Mel-
Posted by bill meikle on August 6, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Wonderful light, well done Dave. I like the second one a little better.
The second one lets the colors really shine. I see you're having the same difficulty in blends that I am right now. The darker horizon mid-ground appears uneven in tones across the picture. I wish someone could post suggestions about how to make the blend lines more even.
Posted by Rajeev Thomas on August 6, 2009 at 9:38 PM
First of all Dave....clouds, colors and the shape of the tarn really make this shot!! ....If this is a blend then Dave...you are an expert!!! But Mel.... Morris.... Bill..... I see a very slight different between them... I had to carefully look for the difference.... does your screen shows dramatic difference...?? I just re-calibrated my screen i-1 X-rite calibrator but I still don't see 'much' difference as Mel mentioned? Help.... please....
Discussion
12 repliesWhile shooting, I tried to balance the light with a split ND, then 2 of them combined and decided to just shoot two exposures and blend. With the horizon line very dark anyway, that turned out to be the best approach. Feedback appreciated.
TC suggested that I save in sRGB to better preserve some of the rich colors. So, here's a little experiment to see if the result is closer to the much more brilliant TIFF.
Maybe I need to start over.
Mel-
Excellent shot of a gorgeous area...I prefer the first version. Colors seem more natural.