Crater Lake Revisited w/repost for comments

I took this photograph in 2005, and I didn't really think there was much there (and your opinion might be there still isn't), but I revisited the photograph today and processed it in LAB which really brought out the subtle color differences in the crater and some in the water. I cropped it down a bit from original too.

For some reason, I keep on looking at it and liking it more and more. Perhaps I'm attracted to the variety of colors, even though they aren't too saturated. I actually think it would make a nice print.

Thoughts?

Ryan, the processing in LAB really brought out some fantastic colors. I feel like I'm there; it's almost three-dimensional. I bet it would make a great print. Two thoughts, I might consider cropping some of the sky to emphasize the crater rim. Also, it looks a little hazy, which is normal for Crater Lake. Increasing the contrast might just destroy the delicate colors so it might not be worth it. As I said, it looks 3D as it is.

I am really drawn to that section just to the right of Wizard Island. The colors are spectacular.

I did a little more processing in LAB in an attempt to push some of the haze out I cropped some of the sky and opened up the sides a little more into more of a pano. I think it has a little more pop without going over the top (I think).

The sky is a little lighter here, the more I look at it the more I wish it was a little darker.

I like the crop and the processing, Ryan. You can fairly easily darken the sky by selecting the top area, feathering by 250px, then applying a curves adjustment to it...The crop really does bring out the rim and the island. I like it.

I like it also Ryan. The first one had a slight blue color cast on my screen but the re-worked post doesn't.

Hi Ryan,
This is one strong photograph.

I'm of two minds about the crop. I'd either like about 10% less on top or another 10% off the top--to where there is a slight separation of the clouds.

The revised color is quite OK, but I miss the slight purple/red cast to the side of the ridge--I'll always bias my colors towards red somehow. Finally, this image looks a bit oversharpened to me. But these are minor things, I'd hang this shot as-is.

ME

Both versions are gorgeous, but in the first one above, the additional sky is what lends that 3d quality and creates the super saturation of the water. In the second, though I like the width, we lose the 3D effect in the sky and we gain the washed out reflection of the clouds in the water, not a good bargain in my opinion. If you can get the pano, but shift it up so we get more sky, less light reflection in the water, that might be the sweet spot??

LAB is a funny beast. I use it on >95% of my images. Usually I'm really happy with it, but there's a lot of power in there and it can sure make it easy to see color that might be a little off. The original also has a blue/cyan cast on my screen. The crop color seems better but still a bit off; the clouds are now yellower than I would expect. I like both the crops; they work equally well for me.

I like the original post much better than the revision. Sometimes haze isn't such a bother; rather it adds some "atmosphere" in this case it seems to the colors. Wouldn't necessarily crop it either. I love it the way you originally created it. Nice look at Crater lake. Wizard Island's trees depicts the scale very well. Just love how I can tell how steep the crater wall is and how much erosion there is. And, it's soothing and serene in such a pastel color palette, one I don't often see in images of Crater Lake. I think you have a unique shot here.

Thanks for all the replies and comments! This has been a very interesting photograph to process and find the right look. I haven't settled on one that I like 100%, but I know I like it, and I'm pretty confident it would make a very interesting print, especially fairly large, like 16x30 or something (I personally like the pano look a little better).

I appreciate all the feedback. I'll probably continue to work on it.

Ryan... when you get time call me..... I'd love to work on this one with Viveza!
JG

This seems flat to me...can't put my finger (eye) on it though. Contrast maybe? Seems like everything is on the same plane. I find CL one of the hardest places to photograph personally.

Okay, I don't know if anyone will see this re-posted again, but Jack introduced me to Viveza, and this is my re-work of the image after purchasing the plug-in.

Wow! What an incredible improvement, Ryan. Eye popping indeed. I might have to give Viveza a spin. I think this is fantastic. The clouds just pop. And the rest is far more impactful. Well done.