Driving home from a day of hiking in the mountains above Taos, New Mexico on Saturday, I noticed some interesting clouds over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains above Taos. Although it would be close time-wise whether we could make it too the spot, my wife and I decided to head to spot overlooking the gorge that Adam Schallau had previously told us about. We did not quite make it to that spot because of the fast fading light, but instead pulled over on a switchback overlooking the gorge and quickly set-up for this shot.
Yes, I know that I blew the highlights significantly in the clouds to the right, but I don't think I mind in that it allowed me to capture detail out of the gorge. Plus, I personally don't mind an occasional blown highlight in this situation, as it emphasizes the intensity of the setting sun in the dark twilight.
Let me know what you all think! Does the blown highlights run the picture? I'm especially interested in any Photoshop tips you all might have for me as I really need some Photoshop help.
Beautiful lenticulars. The "blown" highlights in the clouds don't bother me too much. This is how I would expect to see them. I would suggest dodging the foreground a little though.
The image is coming out much darker on here than it is on my monitor. Big calibration issue, but I think that the it will look really nice printed, including really good foreground details. Just have to buy monitor calibration one of these days...
Cool sky! One thing you might try is the shadow/highlight control in Photoshop CS (or CS2). That will help bring out the foreground while holding the sky. Be careful not to overdo.
I used the same technique in this shot of Canyonlands (Island District). I exposed the original image for the sky, and the foreground (as expected), ended up pretty dark. Shadow/highlight opened it up just a bit. You can find this control under Image | Adjustments.
Discussion
4 repliesYes, I know that I blew the highlights significantly in the clouds to the right, but I don't think I mind in that it allowed me to capture detail out of the gorge. Plus, I personally don't mind an occasional blown highlight in this situation, as it emphasizes the intensity of the setting sun in the dark twilight.
Let me know what you all think! Does the blown highlights run the picture? I'm especially interested in any Photoshop tips you all might have for me as I really need some Photoshop help.
Guy
Cool sky! One thing you might try is the shadow/highlight control in Photoshop CS (or CS2). That will help bring out the foreground while holding the sky. Be careful not to overdo.
I used the same technique in this shot of Canyonlands (Island District). I exposed the original image for the sky, and the foreground (as expected), ended up pretty dark. Shadow/highlight opened it up just a bit. You can find this control under Image | Adjustments.
Ken