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Is this image too dark??
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Jan 12, 2012 14:14:11   #
greymule Loc: Colorado
 
I know the sky is blown, as are some of the trees. Too great a range in the photo. Any thoughts on whether a graduated density filter would have helped.

I bought one, but haven't used it much.

Creek Scene
Creek Scene...

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Jan 12, 2012 14:22:05   #
greymule Loc: Colorado
 
How'z about this one?



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Jan 12, 2012 14:24:33   #
rpavich Loc: West Virginia
 
It's hard to tell on different monitors but yes...I'd say that they are too dark. (See how there's no detail in the shadows?)


What software package do you have?

A graduated ND filter would have helped the sky/ground difference in exposure.

Also....taking two identical pics; one exposed for a correct sky and one exposed for correct rocks then blended together would also work.

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Jan 12, 2012 14:24:55   #
notnoBuddha
 
Yes, it may well have been worth the try. Even without it you may have tried to get your light reading off of the area you wanted to be you focal point - and / or changed your perspective slighly to have gotten rid of the sky completely which is what messed with the light meter.

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Jan 12, 2012 21:57:48   #
Scubie Loc: Brunswick Georgia
 
This one is 100% better.....use a longer exposure or neutral density filter....

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Jan 12, 2012 22:18:31   #
docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado
 
greymule wrote:
I know the sky is blown, as are some of the trees. Too great a range in the photo. Any thoughts on whether a graduated density filter would have helped.

I bought one, but haven't used it much.


first thought for me - why not just angle camera down to frame out the sky - cuz it doesn't seem to be the subject or add much to the mood.

Just me. I seem to be the person most likely voted as curmudegon of the week though so take this with a grain of opium and smile...

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Jan 12, 2012 22:19:52   #
docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado
 
greymule wrote:
How'z about this one?


for me - its overkill on the saturation, the contrast, and the overall look of too much sharpening but again take me with a grain of something

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Jan 13, 2012 08:52:40   #
Adirondack Hiker Loc: Southern Adirondacks
 
Yes, for the first on a GND filter or an HDR is worth a try. I would like to see the foreground a bit brighter. Also, I think the white balance is a bit too cool.

Concerning the second, I think the time of day is the problem. You never want to shoot water falls in direct sun light. Shade or overcast is ideal. Also try a circular polarizer.

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Jan 13, 2012 09:05:05   #
greymule Loc: Colorado
 
docrob wrote:
greymule wrote:
How'z about this one?


for me - its overkill on the saturation, the contrast, and the overall look of too much sharpening but again take me with a grain of something


I agree. It was too dark to begin with, then a "thin" scan with which to work. Such a good photo op to blow. Tsk.

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Jan 13, 2012 09:31:39   #
lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland
 
greymule wrote:
I know the sky is blown, as are some of the trees. Too great a range in the photo. Any thoughts on whether a graduated density filter would have helped.

I bought one, but haven't used it much.


Yes, a graduated filter would have helped. I suspect that nothing can be done with the sky (it appears blown out) but you could selectively, (in PhotoShop for instance) open shadows and increase exposure in the lower two thirds of the photo. The second photo is better, but I personally am not a fan of that many dark shadows. Again, software could help.
While I'm here, there seems to be a blue color cast on the first photo - most probably due to the bright sky.

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Jan 13, 2012 10:08:41   #
GDRoth Loc: Southeast Michigan USA
 
I vote for HDR.

Confronted with both scenes, I'd immediately start shooting bracked shots from many angles and merge in PP using HDR. Once setteled on the best HDR images, you can then play a bit with minor adjustments to arrive at the best and final image....

my .02

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Jan 13, 2012 10:17:33   #
greymule Loc: Colorado
 
GDRoth wrote:
I vote for HDR.

Confronted with both scenes, I'd immediately start shooting bracked shots from many angles and merge in PP using HDR. Once setteled on the best HDR images, you can then play a bit with minor adjustments to arrive at the best and final image....

my .02


Which HDR software do you use?

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Jan 13, 2012 10:28:32   #
GDRoth Loc: Southeast Michigan USA
 
greymule wrote:
GDRoth wrote:
I vote for HDR.

Confronted with both scenes, I'd immediately start shooting bracked shots from many angles and merge in PP using HDR. Once setteled on the best HDR images, you can then play a bit with minor adjustments to arrive at the best and final image....

my .02


Which HDR software do you use?


I have CS5 which has it's own built-in HDR which isn't bad, but I recently bought the complete NIK set which has HDR Efex Pro which Ireally like. I also bought Photomatix a year or so ago, so of the 3 I like the NIK product today...

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Jan 13, 2012 10:35:59   #
docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado
 
GDRoth wrote:
I vote for HDR.

Confronted with both scenes, I'd immediately start shooting bracked shots from many angles and merge in PP using HDR. Once setteled on the best HDR images, you can then play a bit with minor adjustments to arrive at the best and final image....

my .02


see for me if i was confronted by both these scenes my first impulse would be to sit down - listen to the water - and ask myself: self does this scene grab me enough to spend time here - working it - waiting for the light?? If not, I'd go on....

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Jan 13, 2012 10:44:03   #
GDRoth Loc: Southeast Michigan USA
 
Yes, docrob; That's another thought...........You should have spent an hour there taking a hundred shots (bracketed and single) and seeing how the light played out........How often will the average person come back around to that same spot again?

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