I took this image at about 2:00 pm on a relatively sunny day. Just for fun, I wanted to see if I could make a convincing image as a night-time shot using a daytime photo. I used an LUT for a bit of the moonlight effect, as well as some black and white slider tweaks and contrast adjustments. Added the moon and clouds... whaddya think? Any suggestions for improvements are welcomed! ( Because it is so dark, Download is highly recommended! )
tommystrat wrote:
I took this image at about 2:00 pm on a relatively sunny day. Just for fun, I wanted to see if I could make a convincing image as a night-time shot using a daytime photo. I used an LUT for a bit of the moonlight effect, as well as some black and white slider tweaks and contrast adjustments. Added the moon and clouds... whaddya think? Any suggestions for improvements are welcomed! ( Because it is so dark, Download is highly recommended! )
I took this image at about 2:00 pm on a relatively... (
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I like the image and effect. Perfect in creation.
tommystrat wrote:
I took this image at about 2:00 pm on a relatively sunny day. Just for fun, I wanted to see if I could make a convincing image as a night-time shot using a daytime photo. I used an LUT for a bit of the moonlight effect, as well as some black and white slider tweaks and contrast adjustments. Added the moon and clouds... whaddya think? Any suggestions for improvements are welcomed! ( Because it is so dark, Download is highly recommended! )
I took this image at about 2:00 pm on a relatively... (
show quote)
I will say, VERY SUCCESSFUL of your Image's Editing, I am jealous, I must learn that Excellent Editing Technique and Skill.
First, let me say that you started with a really nice composition. The processing is outstanding in my opinion. I would love to see more.
Tommy, this is awesome work all the way around. I love the shot and your transition into nighttime is terrific! Very well done.
tommystrat wrote:
I took this image at about 2:00 pm on a relatively sunny day. Just for fun, I wanted to see if I could make a convincing image as a night-time shot using a daytime photo. I used an LUT for a bit of the moonlight effect, as well as some black and white slider tweaks and contrast adjustments. Added the moon and clouds... whaddya think? Any suggestions for improvements are welcomed! ( Because it is so dark, Download is highly recommended! )
I took this image at about 2:00 pm on a relatively... (
show quote)
Really nice, great creative effect.
Yes it is very pretty, and a nice composition - overall a beautiful image but I will rain on the parade a bit.
Lighting is all wrong direction wise for the moon, near sides would be almost black and the colors (green trees) would be very dark gray or black. Plus you have no shadows, and bright moonlight does produce shadows.
But you did a better job than some of the old Hollywood movies where they just put a dense blue filter on the cameras and shot in sunlight.
My wife has been watching a John Wayne western movies series on cable and I saw a few scenes of that old method.
Under bright moonlight most colors go gray or black and light or white areas are lighter gray or silver. The world tends to look "silver and jet" as a poet might say. And by contrast the moon would be a blown out highlight. Though the eye/brain does see detail in the moon when you look at it, but at the same time the scene on the ground goes black, look back and you eyes readjust to the scene and the moon goes very bright again.
The majority of people don't spend a lot of time outdoors in moonlight away from all the reflected lights of urban areas and will not see any of these things I saw.
I will end on a positive note, you did a much better job than the older movies and it produced an overall beautiful image.
I’d say it’s a great success, very nicely done.
Tommy, just an FYI,I don't read the description until I look at the picture. My first impression was "something doesn't feel right". Unlike Robert ,I can't pick out individual things and explain why. IMO it's a great shot that's worthy of the B&W treatment but maybe in another way.
Thanks to everyone for posting your thoughts. I appreciate the comments from each of you! robertjerl had some interesting observations, and I can certainly see the validity of some of the points he brings up. This is exactly what I am looking for- -constructive and observational input to help me improve my skills so that I can do better next time...Thanks!!
This was more of an exercise in PP for me rather than an effort to recreate an existing scene, so I took a bit of latitude with realism here for the sake of effect!
robertjerl wrote:
Yes it is very pretty, and a nice composition - overall a beautiful image but I will rain on the parade a bit.
Lighting is all wrong direction wise for the moon, near sides would be almost black and the colors (green trees) would be very dark gray or black. Plus you have no shadows, and bright moonlight does produce shadows.
But you did a better job than some of the old Hollywood movies where they just put a dense blue filter on the cameras and shot in sunlight.
My wife has been watching a John Wayne western movies series on cable and I saw a few scenes of that old method.
Under bright moonlight most colors go gray or black and light or white areas are lighter gray or silver. The world tends to look "silver and jet" as a poet might say. And by contrast the moon would be a blown out highlight. Though the eye/brain does see detail in the moon when you look at it, but at the same time the scene on the ground goes black, look back and you eyes readjust to the scene and the moon goes very bright again.
The majority of people don't spend a lot of time outdoors in moonlight away from all the reflected lights of urban areas and will not see any of these things I saw.
I will end on a positive note, you did a much better job than the older movies and it produced an overall beautiful image.
Yes it is very pretty, and a nice composition - ov... (
show quote)
Agree with your critique. The lighting being off was the first thing I saw when I looked at the image. I like shooting star trails at night sometimes with a partial to full moon sidelighting a scene. There are Shadows.
tommystrat wrote:
I took this image at about 2:00 pm on a relatively sunny day. Just for fun, I wanted to see if I could make a convincing image as a night-time shot using a daytime photo. I used an LUT for a bit of the moonlight effect, as well as some black and white slider tweaks and contrast adjustments. Added the moon and clouds... whaddya think? Any suggestions for improvements are welcomed! ( Because it is so dark, Download is highly recommended! )
I took this image at about 2:00 pm on a relatively... (
show quote)
If you are trying to emulate a true night scene, you still have a long way to go. A lot has to do with the construction of the human eye. One thing that gives away the failed attempts in the movies and television shows is that color just about disappears.
"Image result for rods and cones difference
Rods are responsible for vision at low light levels (scotopic vision). They do not mediate color vision, and have a low spatial acuity. Cones are active at higher light levels (photopic vision), are capable of color vision and are responsible for high spatial acuity."
Of course, "poetic license" works nicely in story telling.
One of the other telltales is the sharpness of the shadows. Shadows are the result of light. Less light, less shadow distinction. And the moon is just reflecting the light.
In regards to the rural shots, there are security lights that can be bright enough to bring out nearby colors.
Also, "night vision" are the rods working in low light.
Looking back at the rods vs cones descriptions above, "spatial acuity" does come into play in that details are not as defined as in bright light. However, BW contrasts that may be in the shot can add some to spatial acuity.
I suggest going out on a full moon event in the middle of the night onto a rise, hill or something like it, overlooking an unlit road with woods. Take several shots. This will help in coming close to what shows in night shots. Then find a road with a light under a similar scenario. Shoot that. Another reference. Then PP a shot the way you think it should be.
Assignment: Take a shot of a black cat in the woods, on a moonless and cloudy night.
Thanks to Curmudgeon and Stephan G for your input. I will certainly consider these thoughts on my next foray into PP for night shots...especially about the shadows...
Like the shot, PP, and art…but the sky is still too bright for it to be a realistic false nighttime shot. It is true that a full moon and some clouds make it brighter near the moon but that falls off in real nighttime shots and it is too evenly dark across the sky. I’m not sure how you would fix it…and am not criticizing…but you did ask.
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