Strath Vagastie: I'm not sure about the accuracy of the title but it's in that general area north of Lairg which is in the north of Scotland. This was quite a dark exposure SOOC and it...

R.G. Loc: Scotland

I'm not sure about the accuracy of the title but it's in that general area north of Lairg which is in the north of Scotland. This was quite a dark exposure SOOC and it took quite a lot of lightening to get it to where it is, so I'd be interested to know if you think the colours and general look are realistic. I know it's a bit on the dark side but I'd like to keep it that way because that's what it was like in reality. This is an early morning shot.

I used Highlight Protected metering which will keep the exposure low if there are any bright highlights in the frame. That's fine if you have a camera that's good enough to give you raw files that can take a lot of brightening. In that situation, trying to keep light levels, contrast and colouring realistic can be a bit of a challenge and can take a fair bit of work - as this one did.
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(Download)

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

I think you've done O.K., R.G. A nice range of colour, slightly subdued, which I sometimes see in low light on the moors or in the lakes. Maybe it's due the sun being lower in the sky and having to cut through a lot of atmosphere.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

John N wrote:

I think you've done O.K., R.G. A nice range of colour, slightly subdued, which I sometimes see in low light on the moors or in the lakes. Maybe it's due the sun being lower in the sky and having to cut through a lot of atmosphere.

Thank you John. I think your comment about the sun having to cut through more atmosphere applies to northerly latitudes in particular. Thanks for your comments.

chuckrem Loc: Katy, Tx

It looks great to me.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

chuckrem wrote:

It looks great to me.

Thanks for the feedback, Chuck.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I think it's lovely. I did some pixel peeking and found that with all that darkness that needed compensation, you kept the water crisp!

R.G. Loc: Scotland

AzPicLady wrote:

I think it's lovely. I did some pixel peeking and found that with all that darkness that needed compensation, you kept the water crisp!

Thank you Kathy. I was more pleased that the twigs and branches in the trees were sharp.

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

Excellent image R.G. with a strong atmospheric setting.

I played around with this quite trying to add some brighter colors. I first tried using a midtone Luminosity mask with Curves. Too strong 👎
I used a Brightness/Contrast layer, which I seldom use but in your image I liked the results. I just added +25 to the brightness slider, applying it to the foliage only, not the sky or water.
Give it a try and see if it might be what you're looking for.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Jim-Pops wrote:

Excellent image R.G. with a strong atmospheric setting.

I played around with this quite trying to add some brighter colors. I first tried using a midtone Luminosity mask with Curves. Too strong 👎
I used a Brightness/Contrast layer, which I seldom use but in your image I liked the results. I just added +25 to the brightness slider, applying it to the foliage only, not the sky or water.
Give it a try and see if it might be what you're looking for.

Thanks Jim-Pops. I'm limited to what Lightroom can do so I can't duplicate your suggestions but I was inspired to try some more lightening. The scene was fairly dark when I was there so I wasn't too worried about the darkness, but now that I've tried a lighter version I quite like it.
.

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

Very close to what I have R.G. but better.👍👍👍
On my version, I ended with more white highlights, snow, on the trees, to me a distraction.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

I really enjoy early hour photos and this one is excellent, R.G.!

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

You expended a lot of time and effort on this one and I understand why. I can't comment in the accuracy of the colors but they are pleasant and would be accurate in my area. Are the white areas lichens or snow?

cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD

R.G. wrote:

Thanks Jim-Pops. I'm limited to what Lightroom can do so I can't duplicate your suggestions but I was inspired to try some more lightening. The scene was fairly dark when I was there so I wasn't too worried about the darkness, but now that I've tried a lighter version I quite like it.
.

In general, I'd say this one's a dramatic improvement on an already lovely image. I do have one nit to pick: in version #1, the reflection on the water has a bit more color and, if it is possible, I think version #2 would be even better if you could retrieve that glow.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Jim-Pops wrote:

Very close to what I have R.G. but better.👍👍👍
On my version, I ended with more white highlights, snow, on the trees, to me a distraction.

Thanks. Laborious brushwork may be crude but it's effective

.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

UTMike wrote:

I really enjoy early hour photos and this one is excellent, R.G.!

Thank you Mike. Glad you enjoyed.