I posted this in the Landscape gallery but thought I would also share here. This is more of a concept photo for me. This is my first successful attempt at night photography. I know that it's probably not the strongest composition. I'm posting it here though to get feedback on the technical side as well as the processing. If I can get this part down then I will work on finding a stronger composition.
I struggled to process this image. While not necessarily striving for a literal interpretation of the scene I wanted something that still felt like a night photo. The moon was behind me and the landscape had a noticeable blue cast. I felt like the image out of the camera didn't convey the feeling of a night shot and looked too much like a composite image.
I finally figured out what was missing. The missing ingredient for me was a toned B&W layer using a dark blue toning at about 75% opacity. Other processing included TK's luminosity painting technique.
Here is what the converted RAW file looked like. I exposed to the right to avoid clipping the shadows and to minimize noise.
Posted by David Bush on January 24, 2013 at 7:17 PM
Hi Brian. I like the version with the toned B&W. You did a nice job working on this one. Looking forward to seeing more of your night shots thanks for sharing!
Posted by Jan Harrison on January 24, 2013 at 9:51 PM
I like your idea of a B/W layer. Personal preference for me might include a mask of the sky and darkening a bit towards the horizon. This looks like Palo Duro?
Posted by Darren Huski on January 25, 2013 at 6:34 PM
I really like it. Mysterious image with the way you processed it. Without the added black and white it is much less mysterious and loses some interest. So I think you did it well.
Thanks for the interest, Jan. This is Palo Duro Canyon. Thanks for the encouraging feedback everyone!!
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on January 28, 2013 at 8:27 AM
A very nice foreground for you night sky shot Brian. I prefer the color version without the blue toned b/w layer myself but that is just personal preference. Nice work creating your own vision and intrepretation of the scene.
Posted by Bill Dark on February 2, 2013 at 3:22 PM
I like your creative approach, Brian, and think both versions are great.
I've always struggled with night work. It's been difficult to settle on a "believable" exposure and still end up with something of interest. But then, I've only had a camera capable of night work for a few months.
I'd like to see this with a darker exposure, with the Milky Way, on a coal black night, in color.
Discussion
8 repliesI posted this in the Landscape gallery but thought I would also share here. This is more of a concept photo for me. This is my first successful attempt at night photography. I know that it's probably not the strongest composition. I'm posting it here though to get feedback on the technical side as well as the processing. If I can get this part down then I will work on finding a stronger composition.
I struggled to process this image. While not necessarily striving for a literal interpretation of the scene I wanted something that still felt like a night photo. The moon was behind me and the landscape had a noticeable blue cast. I felt like the image out of the camera didn't convey the feeling of a night shot and looked too much like a composite image.
I finally figured out what was missing. The missing ingredient for me was a toned B&W layer using a dark blue toning at about 75% opacity. Other processing included TK's luminosity painting technique.
21 mm
ISO 5000
20sec @ f2.8
I've always struggled with night work. It's been difficult to settle on a "believable" exposure and still end up with something of interest. But then, I've only had a camera capable of night work for a few months.
I'd like to see this with a darker exposure, with the Milky Way, on a coal black night, in color.