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Post by srmoment on Jul 6, 2022 23:43:32 GMT
I have three views of a rockies scene which I really like. Which of these three do you like best (if any) and do you have ideas for improvement..... 1.  2.  3.  |
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Post by hmca on Jul 6, 2022 23:52:04 GMT
First glance I would prefer your second image. I like the reflection, the angled water, and the prominence of the trees in the background. I might tone down the dark blue part of the sky a tad.
They are all worthy images.
Thanks for sharing and asking your question, Pat. It is a great opportunity for all of us to learn from each other. I will be following this thread and interested to hear the thoughts of others.
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pontiac1940
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Post by pontiac1940 on Jul 7, 2022 3:56:49 GMT
Hi Pat Lovely scene. I downloaded your last photo, opened in ACR and did this to it.  The sky needed the highlights and whites levels reduced. Then it was opened in PSE and cropped it; then reopened in ACR and increased contrast a titch; opened in PSE and fiddled with the saturation of the pond. I'll post if you wish. Clive |
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VickiD
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Post by VickiD on Jul 7, 2022 4:11:43 GMT
I think all three are great, but my preference is for the composition in the third one. Here's what I did in Adobe Camera Raw, including the settings:  Of course, everyone has different tastes and this is only what works for me. I might do a bit more tweaking in Photoshop, but I really liked what I got in ACR. |
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pontiac1940
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Post by pontiac1940 on Jul 7, 2022 4:37:56 GMT
Pat, here is the end result after messing around as previously described. EDIT: I see the darks need lightening. See second image. 
Lightened the mountains a bit.  |
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Post by hmca on Jul 7, 2022 13:54:18 GMT
See I missed on composition but I'm good at getting the ball rolling ;-).
Your colors in the images that you post always look good on my screen, Clive. In this instance, your green and blue on the mountains seem way too dark in both images above. Unnatural would probably be a better word.
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Post by srmoment on Jul 7, 2022 14:11:57 GMT
Love the feedback! Thanks!
Clive, your images show up as super saturated - not sure what others are seeing. Agree that I can cut out some of the foreground as long as it does not upset the balance of the mountains in the shot, and will have a look at the sky again. I remember I was trying not to lose the mist/fog that was covering the mountains. [The sky does not look as blown out on my monitor as it is darker, but did not translate to imgbb].
I like the second shot too, as I was trying for a composition where the foreground grasses led from left to right through the tree line in the middle and out to the mountains. I don't always get composition right though and appreciate any feedback you have.
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Post by srmoment on Jul 7, 2022 15:06:21 GMT
Okay, I used Vicki's settings [really like the result], but can't find the texture, clarity deHaze settings. Have to admit I use On1Effects for any other ACR stuff then basic elements. Also, I am always afraid to bump up contrast in case I cause halos. I tried various crops but couldn't find one that kept the sense of vastness/mist I was trying to achieve.  |
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Post by fotofrank on Jul 7, 2022 15:09:39 GMT
Hi Pat - Great image, between them I like the last one. To me the color seems a little off. Could I ask you to try this little fix. Add a Levels adjustment and Alt/Option click and change these setting, please note what they where before you changed them. After they are change click ok. Next click on auto again.  |
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Post by srmoment on Jul 7, 2022 15:19:00 GMT
Fotofrank, I couldn't make the Levels, Alt/Option work in Elements. I tried the auto color correct and this is what I got. One thing I love about water in the rockies is the clear aqua-green that they appear, as opposed to the bluer waters of lakes/oceans. I like this effect, but on my monitor it is too blue for what I saw. I probably need something between the two color schemes!  |
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pontiac1940
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Post by pontiac1940 on Jul 7, 2022 15:24:51 GMT
the mountains seem way too dark in both images above. They are dark naturally. but could be lightened more. your images show up as super saturated Yes, for sure. I was trying to coverup (counter) the silty water. It was a purposeful attempt. I messed with vibrance in ACR and increased blues/green in PSE using saturation. |
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Post by kdcintx on Jul 7, 2022 16:50:11 GMT
I prefer the 3rd one. The composition (especially the reflections in the water) draws the viewer into the photo to the cloud covered mountains.
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Post by srmoment on Jul 7, 2022 18:41:04 GMT
...so with all of these excellent comments, I came up with the folliwing (incorporating a little of Fotofrank's color change). I am much more confident now with my rockies series and have incorporated many of the above changes into the ones I have already done - thank you so much!!! Here is my final version of image #3:  ...except I know I should crop it a little and desaturate the yellow/greens a tiny bit more - oh well...... |
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Post by hmca on Jul 7, 2022 19:28:13 GMT
Your final edit is lovely, Pat. I know that I am learning from the suggestions made. Hope you'll share more.
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Post by tonyw on Jul 7, 2022 19:43:18 GMT
Excellent subjects! Late to the party but I had a go at #2 cropping to remove a mountain on the left and tree on the right that were slightly distracting to me and cropping off some sky at the top. Then selected the sky (which I wanted to darken) and the inverse so could treat sky and land separately using basic adjustments - I did it in Lightroom but the same approach should work in other software.  Tony |
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