Photo Test

[wrench]

IMG_2522 by Big00Ern, on Flickr

Hi everyone. I'm just trying to see if I've figured out how to post pics...

Edit: I think I have it figured out.

2nd edit: Now that I've figured out how to post pictures, what do you guys think of the picture above? I took this picture last fall and forgot about it until a few days ago. I was driving on a 4WD road in the mountains looking for fall colors when I came across the scene. I thought the color shot was nice, but unremarkable. It it really came to life when I switched it to monochrome. I'm pretty happy with the shot but I welcome any feedback.

Thanks!

[Geoff F]

For me, Ernie, the basic exposure and focus are fine but there is far too much dark and featureless area on the right side. I would crop from the right. Possibly a bit from bottom and maybe top to balance the image size; or use a different size ratio.

[BrianA61]

Needs more exposure and contrast to make the mountain "pop". Bring out some details in the shadows on the left and right bottom. Should make for an awesome b/w photo.

[wrench]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll try the changes you guys suggested and repost the picture.

Ernie

[wrench]

Here is the original photo with no changes except to convert it into a JPEG from a CR2. This should give you guys some idea of what I am working with. I'm using DPP for my post processing and RAW conversions.

IMG_2522 Original by Big00Ern, on Flickr

Here is the cropped version. I think it looks better than the original B&W I posted.

IMG_2522 B&W Cropped by Big00Ern, on Flickr

I see what you guys mean about the B&W being dark. I actually stepped the exposure down 0.67 to get the picture in the opening post and the one above. Unfortunately, when I try to bring the exposure back up, the mountain blends in with sky and the sky is totally blown out.

What do you guys think?

[Geoff F]

Whatever you did with that scene, Ernie, you were bound to have problems.

A pale sky, but it is still giving a blue tint to the mountains, and the light angle means dark foreground is bound to occur.

Your only alternative would have been to take a number of shots with different exposures then combine them with some form of HDR processing.

As it is, your edit is looking much better. Possibly you might get away with a fraction more highlight brightness. Or use one of the other techniques to give it a little bit of extra boost. But you are approaching the stage where just a tad more of 'enhancement' can easily ruin the whole scene.

[wrench]

Thanks for the feedback. I have much to learn about HDR as well. I've done a bunch of HDR pictures, but I'm not really happy with how those turn out so far.

[Geoff F]

Yes, I know what you mean. I usually end up doing a 'handmade HDR' which I mix together manually with layers and masking. I've never had much success with those auto HDR software merges.

But have you seen Bob's posting on this subject where he has created some subtle effects. Opposite to the sunset