The Sun Last Night

[purplehaze]

Took my camera to the park last night. It's not easy juggling a dog and a DSLR, but I managed to grab this shot, which other than a crop off the bottom and 227 strokes of the retouch brush to remove some unwanted twigs, is SOOC. I think I might like to improve the clarity of the colour in the uppermost clouds, but am not sure how to do so without losing the richness of the bottom layers of colour, which I rather like. Advice on that point and any other C&C most welcome.

[CNelson]

Very nice....I like a good silhouette.

Chuck

[purplehaze]

Very nice....I like a good silhouette. Chuck

Thanks, Chuck. That sky was a real gift.

[Peter Ryan]

Hi Janis,

I like the shot, great sky. I forgot what program you use but try a simple curves adjustement but click about 20% of the way down the diagonal line to peg the highlights so they are not affected and then apply a small s-curve to the bottom 80% and see how that goes. Some sharpening will also help.

[FrankMi]

The sun sets every evening but the position and shape of clouds make all the difference in the world for a beautiful sunset. Good capture of color and shape. I like it!

[jiro]

Use a gradient mask on your adjustment layer targeting only the upper areas that you want to affect, Janis. It's much easier to do in LR than in photoshop but both can easily do it.

[purplehaze]

Hi Janis,

I like the shot, great sky. I forgot what program you use but try a simple curves adjustement but click about 20% of the way down the diagonal line to peg the highlights so they are not affected and then apply a small s-curve to the bottom 80% and see how that goes.

Brilliant, Peter! That seems to do the trick!

Some sharpening will also help.

Yes, I (conveniently) forgot to do that task.

[purplehaze]

The sun sets every evening but the position and shape of clouds make all the difference in the world for a beautiful sunset.

Ain't it the truth? I kind of regret that I hadn't entered the park on the other side of the river, as that would have put me on the bridge at that moment; I bet the reflections on the water were something else again.

Thanks for your kind comments!

[purplehaze]

Use a gradient mask on your adjustment layer targeting only the upper areas that you want to affect, Janis. It's much easier to do in LR than in photoshop but both can easily do it.

Gradient mask again. I have been thinking that I am handicapped because Aperture 3 doesn't have a gradient mask, but your post made me do some more searching and it seems that Aperture's adjustment brushes provide enough control that I maybe don't need a gradient mask. I am going to have to practice my brushing technique, using my new Bamboo, which I bought for my niece for a birthday/graduation present, only to find that she already has a very large Wacom tablet that her parents had given her and forgotten about. My gain.

Thanks, Willie.

[Plasmasnow]

I like how the tree is dark but the sky behind is full of colour. Great shot.

[purplehaze]

I like how the tree is dark but the sky behind is full of colour. Great shot.

Thank you, Keith. I like your squirrel. Welcome to the forum, and happy shooting!

[Plasmasnow]

Thanks, I took some more today but i haven't posted them yet, but I will.....soon

[dharankk9]

very nice