More kudos for Chip Phillips tutorial

I bought Chip's tutorial about 3 months ago I've been going through some of the steps he shows on layers/masks and adjustments. I find it absolutely amazing how even little adjustments can dramatically impact an image...in a VERY GOOD way!

I completely endorse and recommend this product if you are new to layers and luminosity masks or if you want to improve your knowledge. It's only $39.00 and if I can do it, anybody can. Thanks Chip for helping me to be a much better processor!

I am attaching 2 versions of the same image. The first one is my original post here a few days ago which I thought looked pretty decent. The second one has minor adjustments...a few curves, highlights/shadows layer, added a gradient using opacity sliders, a layer with a touch of sharpening. Small adjustments but I feel it makes the image "pop" now. Check it out.

#1 Before adjustments

#2 after adjustments

I'll second this, Jack. I also bought Chips Tutorials. I'm a LR guy and don't use PS so I can't specifically apply all of his techniques but I can utilize the overall concepts in LR. I have used some of these techniques on images from my recent trip to the Pacific Northwest and couldn't be more pleased with how they look. Two thumbs way up for the Chip Phillips tutorials.

How about pointing us to where we can buy it, Jack?

Howard,

They're at http://www.chipphillipsphotography.com/Other/Videos/21945010_GhtPKD.

(...as I keep looking at picking it up myself.)

I picked up Chip's videos a couple months ago, and they have really helped my Photoshop workflow. While I still prefer to do a lot of my editing within Lightroom, I've been very pleased with the results from what I've learned through his videos. I would recommend them. Also, Tony Kuyper's luminosity masks are very helpful.

"I'm a LR guy and don't use PS so I can't specifically apply all of his techniques but I can utilize the overall concepts in LR."

Now this is interesting as I have that tutorial and the vast amount of his teaching involves the use of layers and layer masking. Are those features now available in Lightroom?

The second shot looks good Jack. I especially like the sharpening of the reeds in the new one. Now it just needs a little straightening. If you don't have one you can buy a level that fits in the flash hot shoe on the top of the camera. Just be sure to remove it after shooting. I've lost mine a few times. Nice work.

@John. You're right, Chip's post techniques are very heavily into layers and layer masks and those are out of the question in LR. From his videos I've learned a lot about contrast control using curves which I never did before. Mostly what I've learned from the videos, though, is to take a more thoughtful approach to post processing. Using a scalpel rather than a chain saw. It's more metaphysical than mechanical. Whatever it is, I feel better about my images than I did in the past.

@Dean. I actually have a bubble level but I was in hurry to get out to the ponds and left it in my bag. I had everything else and even though I have a grid on my live view, it still wound up crooked. I'll fix it in the final edit though.

"Mostly what I've learned from the videos, though, is to take a more thoughtful approach to post processing. Using a scalpel rather than a chain saw. It's more metaphysical than mechanical. Whatever it is, I feel better about my images than I did in the past.

Extremely well said, Bill!

Jack? Who's Jack?

Ooopppsss...duly corrected, Bill.