Need suggestions for Processing or what to do differently next time: I tried several crops of this image then I realized what is bugging me something I can’t fix with a crop. This...

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I tried several crops of this image then I realized what is bugging me something I can’t fix with a crop. This scene was a “WOW” scene to my eye. I tried several times to process it in Photoshop but the results don't give that WOW feeling.

Attached is my best attempt. It was much more dynamic to my eye. I'm not sure what's missing perhaps the issue is the mountains were in flat light. The human eye of course has 3-4 orders of magnitude greater dynamic range than the camera. Even shooting raw, I can’t come close to that. Maybe that scene would have been a good candidate for HDR with camera on a tripod? (Or a cell phone LOL).

Or maybe I just don't have the skills to process it?

What are your suggestions? Feel free to modify the posted image If you like. If asked I can try to provide the original NEF file but it's 57 mB in size, I'm not sure if I can send that.

Shot with Nikon Z7 + Nikkor Z 24-70mm F2.8 S, @ 38mm 1/320 sec and f9, ISO 125, full size raw format. Attached JPEG image was processed using Photoshop (2024).

(Download)

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

JD750 wrote:

I tried several crops of this image then I realize... (show quote)

I have found this helpful to consider: What was it that prompted you to push the button?

I think you may be struggling with a problem of scale. That's a challenge I've been working on. No complete solution yet.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

larryepage wrote:

I have found this helpful to consider: What was it that prompted you to push the button?

The dramatic light and shadow.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

JD750 wrote:

The dramatic light and shadow.

So what about that closest part of the foreground? Is it adding value, or is it just "being busy?"

JD750 Loc: SoCal

larryepage wrote:

So what about that closest part of the foreground? Is it adding value, or is it just "being busy?"

I tried a crop without that (attached below) and preserving the 9x16 aspect ratio, staring at them side by side, it was very close but I slightly preferred the original. Looking at them here, I do see your point. This is why I am here to get other opinions.

(Download)

PoppieJ Loc: North Georgia

JD750 wrote:

I tried several crops of this image then I realize... (show quote)

i didn't crop but I did lighten the middle ground added a little dehaze to the mountains, and added a little saturation to the sky, plus some selective dodge and burn. It is a lovely scene and doesn't need to much to add a little depth

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

JD750 wrote:

I tried a crop without that (attached below) and preserving the 9x16 aspect ratio, staring at them side by side, it was very close but I slightly preferred the original. Looking at them here, I do see your point. This is why I am here to get other opinions.

Hmmmmm. I do not want to dominate your quest here. But what happens if you split the difference and eliminate the sagebrush area but keep that intermediate area right behind it? That would let you keep a little more of the wide view. My other thought would be around moving the bright area away from the middle somehow. See if there's a way to give the right side of the image more space. It is a little more interesting to me.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Poppiej thank you so much. That looks nice. :) Big difference!! I exposed for highlights, maybe the whole frame was a little dark. Ok my work is cut out for me.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

JD750 wrote:

The dramatic light and shadow.

Larry you made me think. 🤔 Dynamics are what I liked, so I'm giving the old dodge and burn a try now.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

larryepage wrote:

Hmmmmm. I do not want to dominate your quest here. But what happens if you split the difference and eliminate the sagebrush area but keep that intermediate area right behind it? That would let you keep a little more of the wide view. My other thought would be around moving the bright area away from the middle somehow. See if there's a way to give the right side of the image more space. It is a little more interesting to me.

Thank you for the subtle tips they are important. Getting rid of sage works! I see your point about the bright in the middle. Hmmmm.. I like that peak on the left but maybe I can lighten up the left a bit. Trying that..

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Thank you Poppiej and Larry. Working on it. This seems to be much better! Ok back to work.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Thank you for our help. I think this is close to my final edit. I like this a lot better. Maybe I will lighten the foreground a bit more. It looks darker on UHH than on my NEC PA27W (set to 100 lux)

(Download)

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

JD750 wrote:

Thank you for our help. I think this is close to my final edit. I like this a lot better. Maybe I will lighten the foreground a bit more. It looks darker on UHH than on my NEC PA27W (set to 100 lux)

I think that what you did works!

MosheR Loc: New York City

JD750 wrote:

I tried several crops of this image then I realize... (show quote)

How's this. I tried my usual method for perking up a dull photo. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't.

(Download)

JD750 Loc: SoCal

larryepage wrote:

I think that what you did works!

thank you for your help Larry!