Desert Canyon Feedback Requested

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Originally Posted by Stagecoach

Ernie, looking at the image post 16 the sky is not blown out and again a good exposure.

Not sure what PP software you use but it would be a straightforward procedure to increase the exposure in the foreground area only.

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I thought maybe the sky was blown out in the middle because it was featureless white. I use DPP mostly. I've downloaded the latest Gimp program and am still learning to use it. DPP lets me adjust the overall exposure up to 2 stops either direction in post processing. I've used layered masks in Gimp. Sometimes it comes out good and other times not so much.

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Originally Posted by Stagecoach

Yes, I did that with photoshop but it could also be done just as easily with just about any other basic software package such as Elements, GIMP etc.

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If it's possible to achieve those results using Gimp, I have much to learn.

I tried this in PS CC and got similar results to Grahame. I used shadows/highlights adjustment and a curves adjustment layer. Using the curves adjustment, you can see that the histogram has two peaks, one for the sky and a broader one for the rest. If you use a control point just below and above each of the peaks and tweak them you can get more definition in the sky and better looking cliffs. I also added a tiny bit of saturation but that is easy to overdo.

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Originally Posted by wrench

I thought maybe the sky was blown out in the middle because it was featureless white. I use DPP mostly. I've downloaded the latest Gimp program and am still learning to use it. DPP lets me adjust the overall exposure up to 2 stops either direction in post processing. I've used layered masks in Gimp. Sometimes it comes out good and other times not so much.

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I'm not familiar with either Gimp or DPP Ernie. Use the histogram to confirm if the sky or any other important area is blown and as your images show the histogram is within the limits giving scope for a fair amount of adjustment.

My simple approach is to look at the full image and say concentrating on the sky make global adjustment to see what can be done. If I then decide I will make these adjustment to the sky it is a matter of making a layer with a mask (by gradient or freehand) to limit the area I want adjusted.

This procedure being used throughout for such adjustments as contrast, brightness, sharpening etc.

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Originally Posted by Stagecoach

I'm not familiar with either Gimp or DPP Ernie. Use the histogram to confirm if the sky or any other important area is blown and as your images show the histogram is within the limits giving scope for a fair amount of adjustment.

My simple approach is to look at the full image and say concentrating on the sky make global adjustment to see what can be done. If I then decide I will make these adjustment to the sky it is a matter of making a layer with a mask (by gradient or freehand) to limit the area I want adjusted.

This procedure being used throughout for such adjustments as contrast, brightness, sharpening etc.

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I'm not familiar with Gimp either :D, thats the problem!

I've used layered masks in Gimp before. Sometimes it works and sometimes not. I need to spend more time with it and learn to use it better.

Thanks for your help and patience.

Ernie: added a two stop GND filter in Photoshop CC from the bottom to top of the land, this is what I would have done when shooting, not in post, as this was post added here, then a another GND filter for the sky, down one stop. Increased exposure by about .7 of a stop overall, a little this and a little that, some slight movement of the colour sliders. Finished with a curves adjustment to give a good black point adjustment to add a little punch. About 3 minutes or so in time.

Cheers: Allan

http://i60.tinypic.com/f07vci.jpg

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Originally Posted by Polar01

Ernie: added a two GND filter in Photoshop CC from the bottom to top of the land, this is what I would have done when shooting, not in post, as this was post added here, then a another GND filter for the sky, down one stop. Increased exposure by about .7 of a stop overall, a little this and a little that, some slight movement of the colour sliders. Finished with a curves adjustment to give a good black point adjustment to add a little punch. About 3 minutes or so in time.

Cheers: Allan

http://i60.tinypic.com/f07vci.jpg

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Much better. I've got some research to do. I need a good set of GND filters and I need to learn to use them. Plus, I need to learn how to use Gimp.

This is why I come to this site. You guys have been very helpful.

Hi Ernie, I like your image and as everybody has already made some edits to show you how it can be improved more , I will only comment on your current software DPP. DPP was my first software and I stayed with it for a very short time because I was only able to do some global adjustments. So, I suggest that you should change your software and learn to use a better one in order to make more efficient edits;)

"Not at all! The crop does look better. Did you also increase the contrast or saturation? "

Yes, I also played around with shadows and lighting. BTW, That is a very beautiful image.

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Originally Posted by csa mt

"Not at all! The crop does look better. Did you also increase the contrast or saturation? "

Yes, I also played around with shadows and lighting. BTW, That is a very beautiful image.

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Thanks!