Posted by Robert Dayton on November 17, 2009 at 11:53 AM
This is an image from about ten years ago during
my film days. I sometimes feel as if the upper
left side, the rock face, is a little overexposed.
I was limited to a 2 stop graduated neutral density
filter; perhaps I needed a three stop. I appreciate
your feedback.
Canon Elan 35mm
Canon 35-105 Lens
Bogen Tripod
Velvia Film
Polarizer
2 stop Grad Filter
Posted by Harley Goldman on November 17, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Robert, you have yourself a fine reflection with this one. I would agree with your assessment that the upper area looks a little over-exposed. It will be a very easy fix in Photoshop or Elements to tone down the highlights in that area of the image.
Again, it gets back to learning the post-processing side of photography. Once you delve into the Elements book you said you ordered, a whole new world in image processing will open up for you. It takes some time, but it will be well worth the effort. Should you eventually upgrade to the full Photoshop, almost everything you learn in Elements will transfer over. Same concepts, only very slightly different tools.
You did well with some very challenging light; especially with Velveeta. You may be able to tone down the granite walls a bit, and you might also tone down the saturation of the green. Without seeing the transparency, I can't tell if there is any detail in the very deep shadow area across the river. A high end scan may be able to pull some detail there.
I also think the polarizer hindered you a bit. The filter darkened the blues, and, since the shadow areas are lit by the blue sy, the filter darkened them as well.
Robert, some technical ideas have already been shared, so, from point of view I will only say I really enjoy the overall scene here.
Posted by Robert Dayton on November 17, 2009 at 3:28 PM
With my repost here I have attempted to bring down the over exposure
in the granite rock wall, de-saturate the greens, and bring out the detail
in the dark area in the bank across the river. Let me know to what degree
I have succeeded, and if you have any other suggestions, I would appreciate
hearing from you. Thanks for the help and encouragement, Harley, Preston,
and Paul.
Posted by Harley Goldman on November 17, 2009 at 6:40 PM
That is a big improvement!
Posted by Lon Overacker on November 18, 2009 at 2:36 PM
Hi Robert,
The repost does take care of the wall brightness and opening up the shadows on the bottom. I think what has happened though is that the opening of the shadows was done globally? I'm guessing, because the area around the falls, and most of the upper half of the image are brighter with less contrast. The exception being the one part of the cliffs that was too bright - it seems like that was darkened selectively? If it were me, I would take the top half of the original post and combine it with the bottom of the repost - then selectively burn some areas of the cliffs and desaturate the greens.
Having said all that, you've captured a classic and beautiful scene from Yosemite. I wouldn't hesitate to pass this one up.
Lon
Posted by Rudy Ruberti on November 18, 2009 at 8:37 PM
Great reflection and I really like the overall image. I agree with Lon. There appears to have been a loss of contrast near the falls. I use TK's masking methods for all my targeted adjustments.
Discussion
7 repliesmy film days. I sometimes feel as if the upper
left side, the rock face, is a little overexposed.
I was limited to a 2 stop graduated neutral density
filter; perhaps I needed a three stop. I appreciate
your feedback.
Canon Elan 35mm
Canon 35-105 Lens
Bogen Tripod
Velvia Film
Polarizer
2 stop Grad Filter
Again, it gets back to learning the post-processing side of photography. Once you delve into the Elements book you said you ordered, a whole new world in image processing will open up for you. It takes some time, but it will be well worth the effort. Should you eventually upgrade to the full Photoshop, almost everything you learn in Elements will transfer over. Same concepts, only very slightly different tools.
You did well with some very challenging light; especially with Velveeta. You may be able to tone down the granite walls a bit, and you might also tone down the saturation of the green. Without seeing the transparency, I can't tell if there is any detail in the very deep shadow area across the river. A high end scan may be able to pull some detail there.
I also think the polarizer hindered you a bit. The filter darkened the blues, and, since the shadow areas are lit by the blue sy, the filter darkened them as well.
The composition works nicely for me.
-P
in the granite rock wall, de-saturate the greens, and bring out the detail
in the dark area in the bank across the river. Let me know to what degree
I have succeeded, and if you have any other suggestions, I would appreciate
hearing from you. Thanks for the help and encouragement, Harley, Preston,
and Paul.
The repost does take care of the wall brightness and opening up the shadows on the bottom. I think what has happened though is that the opening of the shadows was done globally? I'm guessing, because the area around the falls, and most of the upper half of the image are brighter with less contrast. The exception being the one part of the cliffs that was too bright - it seems like that was darkened selectively? If it were me, I would take the top half of the original post and combine it with the bottom of the repost - then selectively burn some areas of the cliffs and desaturate the greens.
Having said all that, you've captured a classic and beautiful scene from Yosemite. I wouldn't hesitate to pass this one up.
Lon