The Burning Edge of Dawn

Gallery: LandscapePosted May 5, 20183,793 views5 comments

This is an image that I captured along the foothills parkway outside of GSMNP a couple of years ago. I had processed a similar photo from this morning at that time: Fiery Mist

My processing skills have improved significantly since that time. I'm kind of embarrassed when I look at the original, but hey, that's how we improve! While I originally blended multiple exposures in the version I processed before, this image is a single exposure file. It's amazing how much dynamic range the Nikon cameras have! I am still learning how to process images with such a wide dynamic range, but I think this represents a significant improvement.

I owe credit for the title of the image to one of my favorite songwriters, Andrew Peterson. It comes from his album of the same name, but I think it's fitting for this image. Hopefully he doesn't mind if I borrow it.

I am particularly interested in your thoughts on the processing, but as always all comments and critiques are welcome!

Capture Info:
102 mm
f/11 @ 1/250 sec. ISO 100

Processing Info:
Too much to mention, but the highlights are RAW processing in Lightroom, TK's luminosity masks, triple play actions, and saturation masks.

I have said it before, but I strive for a believably natural look in my processing. Please feel free to let me know if anything looks off.

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on May 5, 2018 at 6:47 PM

Here is how the file looked after brightening the exposure and recovering shadow and highlight detail in Lightroom.

Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments

Comment posted by Igor Doncov on May 5, 2018 at 7:58 PM

I really liked the color cast of Fiery Mist more than this version. The processed version here, however, looks significantly better than it's original. The only thing I would suggest is to back off the brightness and yellow saturation around the sun. You've lost some texture in the sky and the color is starting to look unnatural. The foliage is a remarkable improvement. Overall the image is more alive now.

Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments

Comment posted by Neale Dyster on May 6, 2018 at 4:13 AM

Brian, an unconventional composition which isn't necessarily a bad thing ! An interesting image and it would be good to get some of that sky detail back. Nice work.

Registered on February 19, 2008, 94 Posts, 738 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on May 8, 2018 at 11:43 AM

This works quite well. I also prefer Fiery Mist, but still like this. I might back off the yellow saturation in the sky just a bit, but otherwise, I like the processing.

Yeah, the dynamic range in the Nikons is pretty amazing. I am frequently surprised at what I can pull out of files.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on May 8, 2018 at 5:02 PM

That is quite a change! Pretty amazing what can be done in processing these days if you know how I guess. I agree about the yellow saturation but otherwise it is very nice. I still prefer the "Fiery Mist" image over this one. The large version of that one is really nice and it has a wonderful look and feel to me.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments