Interesting colors on that formation that I never associate with Bryce.
I like how the left wall of the formation on the right bows outward, while the wall of the formation on the left bows inward, complementing each other quite well.
Were this mine, I would crop the right side a good two inches in from the right (right near the crack) to create a square format. That helps focus more attention on the tree while losing the background hills that tend to blend into the formation on that right side.
Then I would use the Unsharp Mask filter settings of 20, 50 & 0 to make this 'pop' with a local contrast enhancement (no sharpening will occur at those settings).
Posted by Joshua Hardin on April 2, 2010 at 12:48 PM
John has given some good suggestions IMO. I agree that some cropping might be in order so that the tree is not so centered. To me, the color balance also appears way too cyan, especially in the shadow and midtone areas, and could use a little warming up. This is definitely an atypical Bryce image though and well worth working on more!
Posted by Todd Caudle on April 2, 2010 at 12:49 PM
What tree? These colors seem kinda whacked out, which makes the tree disappear into the ether. I don't think the greenish-blue cast is supposed to be there, but is instead a product of post-processing error, either in making it look this way, or not correcting something the camera initially recorded. I'd also open up the shadows. It also looks tilted CCW.
They're right about the color balance...good catch!
Using the grey eyedropper in Curves or Levels and clicking on the top of the hills near the center helps create a much better color scheme. It does appear tilted counterclockwise as noted. I thought it was just me, so didn't mention it earlier.
I'd echo what Todd said. Seems to me either this shot should be tighter cropped on the tree or zoomed out. From this perspective, it just missing something.
If your subject is the tree, then I agree, it is lost in the background, at least at this size.
I agree with John, a significant crop from the right would be my choice. I really like the light on the cliff face in the center. I would try to make that my primary subject.
You have a great image here to work with, if you follow the advice above this will really transform the scene. Cropping as suggested will emphasize the tree a little more, and the colour tweaks will make this pop!.
Thanks everyone for your recommendations. I appreciate all of the valuable input.
I think the cyan/greenish cast is from me selecting the wrong midtone in my RAW editor trying to adjust the white balance. I really like the cropping suggestions and will go back and rework this from the start.
John, you suggested an unsharp mask of 20, 50 & 0. Are those for the amount (percentage), radius, ? My Photoshop skills need severe improvement when it comes to "post-production". Please forgive my ignorance.
John, you suggested an unsharp mask of 20, 50 & 0. Are those for the amount (percentage), radius, ? My Photoshop skills need severe improvement when it comes to "post-production". Please forgive my ignorance.
You aren't ignorant...I forgot to post the Unsharp Mask settings that correspond with those numbers.
Here they are:
Amount-20%
Radius-50
Threshold-0
Remember, this won't sharpen the image whatsoever.
Note that if you use USM on a duplicate layer (Layer->Duplicate Layer), you can go to the Layers palette and dial down the opacity of the effect to taste, if needed. Looking forward to a repost!
Posted by Jeff Hackett on April 3, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Keith, I like the compositional elements here. Just listen to these folks for PP advice. I just learned something here as well. After John's advice I think I have to go over every image I've ever taken!
Discussion
11 repliesI'd like to see if this one works for anyone. I was drawn to it because of the isolated tree and the harshness of its steep and narrow surroundings.
I'm not sure how distracting the far background is and was wondering if I should crop it down a little from the top.
I welcome any suggestions to reworking this or cropping options, etc.
Thanks,
Keith
I like how the left wall of the formation on the right bows outward, while the wall of the formation on the left bows inward, complementing each other quite well.
Were this mine, I would crop the right side a good two inches in from the right (right near the crack) to create a square format. That helps focus more attention on the tree while losing the background hills that tend to blend into the formation on that right side.
Then I would use the Unsharp Mask filter settings of 20, 50 & 0 to make this 'pop' with a local contrast enhancement (no sharpening will occur at those settings).
Using the grey eyedropper in Curves or Levels and clicking on the top of the hills near the center helps create a much better color scheme. It does appear tilted counterclockwise as noted. I thought it was just me, so didn't mention it earlier.
I agree with John, a significant crop from the right would be my choice. I really like the light on the cliff face in the center. I would try to make that my primary subject.
I think the cyan/greenish cast is from me selecting the wrong midtone in my RAW editor trying to adjust the white balance. I really like the cropping suggestions and will go back and rework this from the start.
John, you suggested an unsharp mask of 20, 50 & 0. Are those for the amount (percentage), radius, ? My Photoshop skills need severe improvement when it comes to "post-production". Please forgive my ignorance.
Thanks again, Everyone.
Keith
Here they are:
Amount-20%
Radius-50
Threshold-0
Remember, this won't sharpen the image whatsoever.
Note that if you use USM on a duplicate layer (Layer->Duplicate Layer), you can go to the Layers palette and dial down the opacity of the effect to taste, if needed. Looking forward to a repost!