Sunset in Douglas

[annie5154]

I hope to receive some genuine feedback about how this photo could be improved. My first real attempt at photographing and processing in RAW. The image has been changed to 72dpi to allow for quick upload so if this needs to be changed I can do that. Thanks.

[knifebox]

Hi Anne,

This is a good attempt at RAW processing.

Some things you might want to try next time:

- horizon looks a bit lopsided on my end
- make sure you still keep some shadow details (like in the trees)
- you can enhance overall image quality by selective dodge and burn to emphasize contrast of light and shadows (in the clouds and in the water)
- selective sharpenning would help a lot as well

cheers!

[Snarkbyte]

A neutral gradient filter would certainly have helped shot, but you can do a bit of the same thing in PP. The sky is nearly blown, and there's no help for bringing back details in the trees. I did take a quick and dirty shot at selective filtering to bring back some of the sky color: (photo filters in CS5, with gradient masks) cooling filter for the uppermost blue part of the sky, a warming filter just below that for the upper clouds, and a red filter from the tops of the trees into the middle clouds. Here's the result, quick and sloppy as it is:



I didn't work on the water, but James had some good suggestions there.

[annie5154]

Thank you James I will have a go. Didnt even think about the sharpening tool for some reason!

[annie5154]

Thank you Al more very useful suggestions and good work on the image. I was trying for a warmer look that you have achieved. I was finding it really difficult to get the settings right for the sky, but hey ho will keep going. thanks again.