I've processed these using Tony Kuyper's wizardry. I purchased his actions and tutorials a couple of days ago and put them to work on these shots. I am so impressed with the ease of use and results. Just based on this intial implementation of TK's magic, I can't recommend getting this enough! And, no, I'm not getting anything for this recommendation.
All three are very nice but #2 is nothing short of outstanding. I only visited Roxborough once when I lived in Denver and it looks as though I should have made the short trek more often. Great stuff, Morris!
Put this on Jack's list...get my stealth gear out and follow Morris wherever he goes...then look over his shoulder when he processes. Good golly, Molly..these are awesome again!!! I agree that number 2 is to die for. I should go down there this week and see what I can find. What time of day was this Morris?
What beautiful greens accented by the reds of the Flatirons! The first two are my favorites with #2 being a compositional jewel.
The skies complement the landscape well and provided you with some fine soft light.
I agree that #1 could use a bit more contrast. Here's a tip that I use to acquire more contrast using Tony's techniques:
Visit pg. 5 of his tutorial and scroll down about 2/3 of the way 'til you see a Curve diagram with a backwards 'Z' curve.
I use this contrast boost on almost every single one of my images, and there's no better quality way to increase contrast in an image, IMO.
I use the Narrow Mid-Tones mask instead of Basic as the effect is much more subtle, and I often set the Blend mode from Normal to Luminosity to decrease the saturation that this step introduces. Of course, you can adjust opacity to taste.
It's getting to the point where I can tell when an image is yours just by looking at the style.
Posted by Jack Garrett on May 28, 2012 at 10:49 PM
Can I ask a dumb question? I have the TK mask and I'm just starting to use them after 2 years...I was scared! Do I still use regular contrast and levels processing and then add TK stuff...or do I just go straight to the masks for processing? Thanks.
I don't make any contrast adjustments in PS after discovering the method I noted above, but stiil make basic Levels adjustments to set correct black/white points. I also make color cast corrections in PS if needed. I use Tony's masks to balance luminosity and that's all I use them for.
Thanks, John, for the shortcut tips! Those are just some tools I need. Especially that backward "z" for contrast. And, I did move the opacity slider back some when using the Make it Glow action on these already saturated colors.
Jack, I was there about noon, but it was cloudy and it started raining about a half hour after I left. Full blown sun would be hard to control the glare on the leaves and rocks. Wait for clouds and then hit it! Not much in the way of wilflowers compared to two years ago, but still nice bunches around. And, I'm just getting started with these, but I did work the same processing I usually do with levels, and curves before adding the masks.
Michael, I like where your head is at, and just might try that!
I was just thinking of Roxy as i drove by the Paint Mines on my way home today--i should get up there, looks real vibrant. Maybe we can get some lightning shots over those rocks!
A comment about luminosity masks--i use them all the time but i create them from scratch for each image. when you do this (and it only takes seconds with hot keys) you see first hand how it will affect an image, and every image is unique. I prefer this to using actions where a lot of the 'results' from each step are hidden from view (same reason i prefer using manual blends to HDR software--gives you more creative control)
John--the most powerful use for lum masks is for HDR blends (since as TK points out, theyre self feathering) Thats what i use them for more than anything else. Combine that technique with other more traditional blending techniques, and i challenge any HDR program to get get better results.
I drank the TK Kool-Aid last year, and I will never go back. If you have not dealved into the luminosity painting as well, you should definitely check it out. So flexible and indredibly powerful! I also like the saturation balancing.
You might try the Lum Painting technique on the first one per some of the other comments here. Load one of the darks masks and paint black onto the dodge and burn layer at about 30-40% around some of the foliage in the lower 2/3. It is kind of tricky to remember which combination to use for different effects, but he has a chart to help on page 18 of that PDF tutorial
Morris, these are terrific! BTW, I also purchased Tony's actions and LOVE them! I especially like the last shot with the tree trunks movgin diagonal to the left. Great comp!
Discussion
19 repliesI've processed these using Tony Kuyper's wizardry. I purchased his actions and tutorials a couple of days ago and put them to work on these shots. I am so impressed with the ease of use and results. Just based on this intial implementation of TK's magic, I can't recommend getting this enough! And, no, I'm not getting anything for this recommendation.
Let me know what you think,
Morris
The skies complement the landscape well and provided you with some fine soft light.
I agree that #1 could use a bit more contrast. Here's a tip that I use to acquire more contrast using Tony's techniques:
Visit pg. 5 of his tutorial and scroll down about 2/3 of the way 'til you see a Curve diagram with a backwards 'Z' curve.
I use this contrast boost on almost every single one of my images, and there's no better quality way to increase contrast in an image, IMO.
I use the Narrow Mid-Tones mask instead of Basic as the effect is much more subtle, and I often set the Blend mode from Normal to Luminosity to decrease the saturation that this step introduces. Of course, you can adjust opacity to taste.
It's getting to the point where I can tell when an image is yours just by looking at the style.
Jack, I was there about noon, but it was cloudy and it started raining about a half hour after I left. Full blown sun would be hard to control the glare on the leaves and rocks. Wait for clouds and then hit it! Not much in the way of wilflowers compared to two years ago, but still nice bunches around. And, I'm just getting started with these, but I did work the same processing I usually do with levels, and curves before adding the masks.
Michael, I like where your head is at, and just might try that!
A comment about luminosity masks--i use them all the time but i create them from scratch for each image. when you do this (and it only takes seconds with hot keys) you see first hand how it will affect an image, and every image is unique. I prefer this to using actions where a lot of the 'results' from each step are hidden from view (same reason i prefer using manual blends to HDR software--gives you more creative control)
John--the most powerful use for lum masks is for HDR blends (since as TK points out, theyre self feathering) Thats what i use them for more than anything else. Combine that technique with other more traditional blending techniques, and i challenge any HDR program to get get better results.
Lightning over the rocks would be cool! Definitely not worth a visit for flowers alone as was the case 2 years ago.
And, I will look into using the masks for manual blending. I always need help with the feathering.
I drank the TK Kool-Aid last year, and I will never go back. If you have not dealved into the luminosity painting as well, you should definitely check it out. So flexible and indredibly powerful! I also like the saturation balancing.