DV Joshua Trees

Gallery: LandscapePosted May 4, 2011165 views8 comments

Another image from the workshop with Marc in March. I frankly am not too happy with this image, but the input of NPN members can help me improve the processing. The final image is a blend from 2 NEF files, processed through Lightroom 3.4 and finished in CS5. There is somewhat of an HDR-like look to the image, but it wasn't processed with HDR software. I'd appreciate your thoughts on the processing and ways you would think the processing could be improved. Randall

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by David W. Kelly on May 4, 2011 at 1:23 PM

Nice comp Randall. I think it could stand some more contrast.

Registered on October 7, 2005, 883 Posts, 6590 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Sieren on May 4, 2011 at 1:39 PM

Maybe it was the fill slider in RAW processing, if you go heaving on it it will do the HDR look. The sky seems a little too murky Randall. You can select the highlights in the mountain to bring back the bold color there by using layered adjustments. Looks like a bland day for shooting but I do see a great pano crop in the photo you're showing!

Registered on January 2, 2008, 360 Posts, 5321 Comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on May 4, 2011 at 2:04 PM

Hi Randall,

The light on the mountains is nice and so is the spectacular grove of Joshua Trees. Frankly, even thought it's a blend, your image looks a bit underexposed and the sky looks like it is banding in the left hand corner. Steve hit the nail on the head with the fill slider - it is a destructive move, especially if used above a 20. I suggest increasing the exposure in ACR to bring out more detail. I hope this helps.

Michael

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on May 4, 2011 at 9:51 PM

Very pleasing Randall. I like everything but the sky. I don't use ACR so I can't comment on the use of the fill slider. The FG terrain and the Joshua Trees look great though.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Randall Smith on May 4, 2011 at 11:11 PM

Thanks for the comments. Steve and Michael: I went back and checked the LR 3.4 settings and there was no use of fill light for either image. I also don't think there's banding in the upper left corner; I believe that area is fine, wispy, dark clouds. Any further comments would be much appreciated. Randall

Registered on June 13, 2009, 30 Posts, 69 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on May 5, 2011 at 2:55 PM

I like it mostly, but the sky doesn't seem right. The foreground and mountains have a lot of appeal.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on May 5, 2011 at 7:01 PM

Its a wonderful scene, Randall, just needs a little more work. I would process one exposure (probably your lightest one) in ACR or Lightroom for the sky. Expose until things look right, but stop before you blow any highlights. Then blend this image with one exposed for the foreground/mtns. From the small jpg it looks like the snow on mtns is blown somewhat.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments

Comment posted by James Fougère on May 7, 2011 at 10:48 PM

I like the foreground and the selection of Joshua trees here Randy , but I agree, the mountains and sky are an issue here in the way I see them.

Registered on October 25, 2010, 41 Posts, 831 Comments