I shot this image yesterday evening near Sprague lake and tried to do some post processing (as per my limited skill and knowledge) to replicate more or less as I saw it, however a friend of mine has suggested that this needs definitely a contrast and a saturation boost. I don't have a calibrated monitor, may be that's an issue. Along with the suggestions of a calibration software also wanted to know how this looks at your monitors and what you think about this one. Your suggestions much appreciated as always.
Posted by Rick Dunn on October 23, 2011 at 10:09 AM
Hi Soubhik,
Although calibration tools are very important for printing, I think they're far less critical for web posting; nice to have for sure, but not nearly as important has gaining proficiency with PS and your post-processing skills. The changes needed to bring out the full potential of this image aren't coming from calibration software, so I'd focus on that last.
I don't believe that contrast and saturation are the challenge here. The primary problem here is underexposure. I'm assuming this is a single exposure to keep the highlights from blowing out, but that forces the rest of the scene to become excessively dark. This would be a good candidate for 2 or 3 blended exposures, one for highlights, mid-tones and shadows. Alternatively, a use of a graduated ND would have helped. But, if you only have one exposure, you can start by seeing if there's detail in the raw file, and double-processing to separately manage the highlights and shadows. I think the sky could even withstand a bump in exposure, using care to avoid clipped highlights.
Aesthetically the large black area in the water is a distraction. If you can recover even a little detail there to let the viewer know that those are the reflected mountains, I think it helps tremendously. The middle ground scrub and small ridge would benefit from additional exposure as well. The tall trees could stay silhouetted or have detail brought out - more of an artistic preference than technical decision, imo.
Once exposure is addressed, contrast and saturation can be revisited. Then...if you receive comments that colors or color accuracy are problematic, take a look at calibration tools. I think more than a few here will be of the opinion that it's important to start with a calibrated screen, but I'm of the opinion that calibration tools are of limited value until you address the basics of managing difficult exposures and gaining proficiency with post-processing techniques.
It's a beautiful scene and interesting comp. I hope to see some re-posts.
Posted by Kane Engelbert on October 23, 2011 at 10:49 AM
Soubhik,
Rick's well thought out post is right on in my opinion. Check out your white balance too, seems a little warm to me; mostly in the sky where the clouds come across on my monitor as a burnt orange. Could be the result of the settings of a hdr software blend, and not white balance issue. Lastly, there's seems to be a bit of exposure haloing (sky appears more bright) around your trees in the top right corner. Again could be a hdr blend; but I can't tell with certainty. Overall, a nice preview of the upcoming winter season!
Posted by Jack Garrett on October 23, 2011 at 1:46 PM
I'm gonna jump in here and say that you have made VAST improvements in the past year and this is another example. While I agree the processing still needs some work, I like the composition and the reflection is nice as well. Good rule of thirds and keeping the peaks off center. Do what Rick says and you've got a winner here!!
Rick : Thanks a lot for your well thought comments and critique.
This is a 2 exp manual blend, One for the sky and one for the rest of the frame. After blending I saw that the reflection was looking a tad brighter than the sky and hence I again went back and darkened the reflection. Must have overdone it. I will try to process this again.
Kane : I will look at the halo you are mentioning. Also I selectively increased the color for yellow and red , maybe overdid a little, will get that fixed. That's where I think perhaps a calibrated monitor may become handy ?
I have tried to modify this a little bit based on your feedback - does this look a little better ? I have provided a little bigger version of this as I had to compress a lot as well.
Posted by Rick Dunn on October 25, 2011 at 1:41 PM
Hi Soubhik - the modified version looks similar with regards to exposure, and the histogram confirms this. In fact, the sky in the reworked version appears to be darker than the original. I'm on a laptop, so I can't comment on the white balance/color changes, but overall I think the exposure/contrast is still an issue.
Discussion
6 repliesAlthough calibration tools are very important for printing, I think they're far less critical for web posting; nice to have for sure, but not nearly as important has gaining proficiency with PS and your post-processing skills. The changes needed to bring out the full potential of this image aren't coming from calibration software, so I'd focus on that last.
I don't believe that contrast and saturation are the challenge here. The primary problem here is underexposure. I'm assuming this is a single exposure to keep the highlights from blowing out, but that forces the rest of the scene to become excessively dark. This would be a good candidate for 2 or 3 blended exposures, one for highlights, mid-tones and shadows. Alternatively, a use of a graduated ND would have helped. But, if you only have one exposure, you can start by seeing if there's detail in the raw file, and double-processing to separately manage the highlights and shadows. I think the sky could even withstand a bump in exposure, using care to avoid clipped highlights.
Aesthetically the large black area in the water is a distraction. If you can recover even a little detail there to let the viewer know that those are the reflected mountains, I think it helps tremendously. The middle ground scrub and small ridge would benefit from additional exposure as well. The tall trees could stay silhouetted or have detail brought out - more of an artistic preference than technical decision, imo.
Once exposure is addressed, contrast and saturation can be revisited. Then...if you receive comments that colors or color accuracy are problematic, take a look at calibration tools. I think more than a few here will be of the opinion that it's important to start with a calibrated screen, but I'm of the opinion that calibration tools are of limited value until you address the basics of managing difficult exposures and gaining proficiency with post-processing techniques.
It's a beautiful scene and interesting comp. I hope to see some re-posts.
Rick's well thought out post is right on in my opinion. Check out your white balance too, seems a little warm to me; mostly in the sky where the clouds come across on my monitor as a burnt orange. Could be the result of the settings of a hdr software blend, and not white balance issue. Lastly, there's seems to be a bit of exposure haloing (sky appears more bright) around your trees in the top right corner. Again could be a hdr blend; but I can't tell with certainty. Overall, a nice preview of the upcoming winter season!
This is a 2 exp manual blend, One for the sky and one for the rest of the frame. After blending I saw that the reflection was looking a tad brighter than the sky and hence I again went back and darkened the reflection. Must have overdone it. I will try to process this again.
Kane : I will look at the halo you are mentioning. Also I selectively increased the color for yellow and red , maybe overdid a little, will get that fixed. That's where I think perhaps a calibrated monitor may become handy ?
Jack : Thanks a lot for all your kind words .
Modified version