ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I spent the last few days in Charleston South Carolina visiting my in-laws. On this trip I visited the USS Yorktown that is now a museum in the Charleston Harbor. For you history buffs, this is not the Yorktown that was involved in the battle of Midway in WWII. That was the CS 05 Yorktown. This ship, which also saw action in the Pacific is The CS-10 Yorktown. CS-05 was lost in the battle of Midway and is now at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.

The conditions were very bright midday sun. On the flight deck there was a lot of reflected light and the conditions were very "harsh". To come up with a decent photo, I converted the image to a black and white image and spent a lot of time toning down the highlights to give me some detail in the bright areas. I also had to raise the shadow areas which were very dark. I used several masks in lightroom to accomplish this. I also added sepia toning. The lens was a Nikkor 16mm rectangular fisheye and I shot it with a Z6 mirrorless body.
Erich

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rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Erich, study up on and practice ETTR/EBTR techniques.
—Bob

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

OK, I did not intentional use those techniques here, but I'm going to go back and do some research on the topic. Thanks for the tip.
Erich

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

One of the great things about summer vacation is that I have time to play. I looked up a video (I know, just one video is not research), and I'm going to go out and shoot some generic images since it is now getting very bright out. Here is the video I watched if anyone is interested, and I'll post my results in this thread when I get back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-J_EyMnVC8

Erich

R.G. Loc: Scotland

You seem to have avoided blown highlights. Exposure bracketing is the obvious choice in that situation. But it looks like multiple selections saved the day.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Bracketing would have worked also. I did not bracket this shot; but, as you point out, I did use multiple selections and masks so that I could reduce the harshness of the "as shot" photo. Thanks for taking a look.
Erich

JD750 Loc: SoCal

It looks like the blacks in the shadows are crushed. But I don't think that is necessarily a deal breaker for this composition. In fact the stark black works with bright white on the jet. To me it's a striking image, well composed. That's what jumps out at me.

On bright sunny days the sky is really bright, if you expose for shadows you blow out the sky. And if you expose for the sky you crush the shadows. Pick your poison? A GND filter on the lens, can help a lot with that. ETTR as Bob said, that's about the best you can do. I think you did a nice job with what you had. I like it.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Thank you. I was wondering about the shadow under the jet; but I kind of like it. It is a stark contrast to the white on the jet and I think it works pretty well. Thanks for taking a look.
Erich

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Perhaps my reply was poorly worded. Please let me clarify. What jumps out at me is the striking composition. :)

I totally agree about the shadow! The dark shadow works. :)

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I think we are both on the same page. Thanks.
Erich