I took this shot in 09 and am revisiting it with newer processing knowledge. D300 with the kit 18-55VR. Very windy that day, but some really dynamic lighting. It's a pinch soft so I don't know if I could print it large, but thought I'd see what others think of my PP on it. 1200px attached. Thanks in advance.
This is a terrific view, Joshua! Glad you posted the screenshot of before/after.
NX2 (and you) did a fine job of optimizing this scene, but the whites in the clouds near the top got a bit too 'hot', IMO.
Also, the patch of blue sky got a bit too prominent with the edit. If you could paint back in or reintroduce the original whites and the blue patch from the original, I think it would be an asset. Actually, consider just losing the blue entirely as it distracts the eye.
The one thing that really makes this 'pop' is using the Image Polish technique:
Unsharp Mask filter--
Amount-20
Radius-50'
Threshold-0
Watch out, though...this technique will push bright whites over the 'blow out' cliff.
See what you think anyway. This is a magic moment you captured here!
Joshua, this is a nice scene. The histogram for the only the mountains and valley seems shifted far left. Maybe adjust levels, add some of the local contrast/polish John mentioned, and blend in with the original sky that has some added contrasts to the clouds but their highlights preserved.
Josh, just know this, what you envision is certainly possible. This comp and color just needs the right post processing to make this one sing. Sure John's "blue sky" crop makes a lot of sense, so in essence a comp with less sky and more foreground seems the better choice.
Next, I hope you shot these in RAW; in fact, anyone reading that expects to improve their future post processing must shoot RAW. There's not enough dynamic range in jpgs.
Appreciate the feedback everyone. Its odd the whites in the clouds got brighter, I added (basically) a ND grad to the shot. I might have added global contrast that did it, I'll have to check my steps. This is RAW for sure Kane, been doing so for at least 4 years. Don't think I'm hand blending, but might be doing the equivalent. No photoshop, everything in NX2. Standard ops are gradient tool for sky, masks usually for contrast, and control points for local adjustments. I'm starting to think a PP specific meet would be a good idea. Everyone could being laptops with programs, files, etc and compare workflows.
One of the nicest views in the whole state! And you have got a really nice condition and light and composition here. I like the development, but would agrea on the hot clouds (not much area though) and cropping out the blue patches. I could go back there a hundred times! Indeed, I think I will go again next month!
Discussion
7 repliesNX2 (and you) did a fine job of optimizing this scene, but the whites in the clouds near the top got a bit too 'hot', IMO.
Also, the patch of blue sky got a bit too prominent with the edit. If you could paint back in or reintroduce the original whites and the blue patch from the original, I think it would be an asset. Actually, consider just losing the blue entirely as it distracts the eye.
The one thing that really makes this 'pop' is using the Image Polish technique:
Unsharp Mask filter--
Amount-20
Radius-50'
Threshold-0
Watch out, though...this technique will push bright whites over the 'blow out' cliff.
See what you think anyway. This is a magic moment you captured here!
Next, I hope you shot these in RAW; in fact, anyone reading that expects to improve their future post processing must shoot RAW. There's not enough dynamic range in jpgs.
Josh, are you hand blending yet?
Let me know.
Great light, great scene, great color, great conditions.