Shooting in hazy skies
Jun 10, 2015 13:23:55 #
Greetings All,
Any recommendations for shooting in hazy conditions? My searchings on the net didn't produce anything more than how to remove haze in post production. While useful I feel that the more work you do behind the lens the less work you'll have to do afterwards.
Thanks.
Any recommendations for shooting in hazy conditions? My searchings on the net didn't produce anything more than how to remove haze in post production. While useful I feel that the more work you do behind the lens the less work you'll have to do afterwards.
Thanks.
Jun 10, 2015 13:51:40 #
Your statement/personal feelings are quite true in most all situations, more prep with a quality camera and filters may work too. In my experiences - mostly in shooting mountain scenery/landscapes I am lucky to get a decent image with lots of PP with CS4. this is before and after of Crater Lake from a window seat at 30,000ft.
This was taken with a Panasonic Lumix FX18 on auto.
I have other "test shots" I did in the Higher elevation and long distances of the Sierras where I used this Lumix FZ18 - a Canon Rebel w/ 18-55 and 100-300 lens at several different settings and still had to PP the haze out.
Do you have any preferred setting for this haze problem - I could sure use some advice/tutoring.
Harvey
This was taken with a Panasonic Lumix FX18 on auto.
I have other "test shots" I did in the Higher elevation and long distances of the Sierras where I used this Lumix FZ18 - a Canon Rebel w/ 18-55 and 100-300 lens at several different settings and still had to PP the haze out.
Do you have any preferred setting for this haze problem - I could sure use some advice/tutoring.
Harvey
Jun 10, 2015 14:43:26 #
Jun 10, 2015 14:46:03 #
tsilva wrote:
A polarizing filter will help cut some haze.
Yep - gotta use mine more often.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Jun 10, 2015 14:47:42 #
Volk359 wrote:
Greetings All,
Any recommendations for shooting in hazy conditions? My searchings on the net didn't produce anything more than how to remove haze in post production. While useful I feel that the more work you do behind the lens the less work you'll have to do afterwards.
Thanks.
Any recommendations for shooting in hazy conditions? My searchings on the net didn't produce anything more than how to remove haze in post production. While useful I feel that the more work you do behind the lens the less work you'll have to do afterwards.
Thanks.
A product called DxO Optics Pro, Elite version, has a tool called ClearView, that is just amazing at cutting through the haze. They say that this product is even more complex than the incredible Prime Noise Removal.
http://www.dxo.com/us/photography/photo-software/dxo-opticspro/features/clearview
I have used it and it really works!
Jun 10, 2015 15:43:47 #
Try a curves adjustment. Bend the curve so it is just a bit of an S curve. Pull the lower portion to the right at the grid line one up from the bottom, and the upper to the left at the grid line one below the top. This increases mid-tone contrast which reduces the hazy look.
Run the saturation up a bit and then decrease the blue channel a little.
Run the saturation up a bit and then decrease the blue channel a little.
Jun 10, 2015 16:15:02 #
Generally, my approach is to work with the haze - use the haze as a creative element within the composition. Same thing with fog or rain. Hazy conditions can create a compellingly sombering, meloncholic mood if used with imagination. If I find I am unable to use the haze creatively in a satisfying manner, I don't take the shot. It's not hazy every day.
Jun 10, 2015 16:35:43 #
Thanks for this program tip - I downloaded the trial version.
JimH123 wrote:
A product called DxO Optics Pro, Elite version, has a tool called ClearView, that is just amazing at cutting through the haze. They say that this product is even more complex than the incredible Prime Noise Removal.
http://www.dxo.com/us/photography/photo-software/dxo-opticspro/features/clearview
I have used it and it really works!
http://www.dxo.com/us/photography/photo-software/dxo-opticspro/features/clearview
I have used it and it really works!
Jun 10, 2015 19:40:42 #
Thanks, will keep all that in mind.
Unfortunately that's not always an option. Cityscapes while touring for example. You're there one minute and gone the next, no time to wait for prime conditions. I visited the Grand Canyon a few years ago, had a great time but it was hazy as all get out. Ruined many shots but those were before my lightroom days. Perhaps I should revisit them.
Quote:
If I find I am unable to use the haze creatively in a satisfying manner, I don't take the shot. It's not hazy every day.
If I find I am unable to use the haze creatively in a satisfying manner, I don't take the shot. It's not hazy every day.
Unfortunately that's not always an option. Cityscapes while touring for example. You're there one minute and gone the next, no time to wait for prime conditions. I visited the Grand Canyon a few years ago, had a great time but it was hazy as all get out. Ruined many shots but those were before my lightroom days. Perhaps I should revisit them.
Jun 11, 2015 08:38:29 #
Harvey wrote:
Thanks for this program tip - I downloaded the trial version.
Let us know how you trial experiment works.
Jun 11, 2015 08:44:37 #
tsilva wrote:
A polarizing filter will help cut some haze.
:thumbup: :thumbup:
Jun 11, 2015 10:16:19 #
Harvey wrote:
Harvey, hazy photos generally have a low dynamic range as seen in your very low-res 'original', where the histogram is crowded all to the right of the centre of the histogram (which also shows the whites have been "blown" and are a little over-exposed - making the situation even worse). Adjusting the levels and some sharpening will often improve the situation. Your statement/personal feelings are quite true in... (show quote)
Normally you would move the left levels slider to the right but I chose to do this one by using the gamma (centre) slider to the right instead as this can do a partial fix (restore some detail) to the blown areas.
You can see the difference in the histograms here (PS could go a much better job with the high-res original rather than a thumbnail)
Jun 11, 2015 10:20:47 #
Volk359 wrote:
Greetings All,
Any recommendations for shooting in hazy conditions? My searchings on the net didn't produce anything more than how to remove haze in post production. While useful I feel that the more work you do behind the lens the less work you'll have to do afterwards.
Thanks.
Any recommendations for shooting in hazy conditions? My searchings on the net didn't produce anything more than how to remove haze in post production. While useful I feel that the more work you do behind the lens the less work you'll have to do afterwards.
Thanks.
Try another day; preferably after a rain. In some places (like the Grand Canyon) you need to go a different time of year than most do....like January.
Jun 11, 2015 10:31:01 #
Volk359 wrote:
I visited the Grand Canyon a few years ago, had a great time but it was hazy as all get out. Ruined many shots but those were before my lightroom days. Perhaps I should revisit them.
Revisiting the Grand Canyon could be much more rewarding. It can be fantastic in January. You don't have to use the busses and it is frequently very clear. Nights can be cold but afternoons can be glorious.
Jun 11, 2015 10:32:35 #
@johnske
Wow, that's a significant difference. I'll haft to revisit some of my old hazy pics. Thanks to all, I've got a polarizing filter but never thought about using it for haze. Will remember that next time.
Wow, that's a significant difference. I'll haft to revisit some of my old hazy pics. Thanks to all, I've got a polarizing filter but never thought about using it for haze. Will remember that next time.
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