Forum: Photography


Subject: Fall Impressions

Misha883 opened this issue on Nov 18, 2004 ยท 9 posts


Misha883 posted Thu, 18 November 2004 at 10:00 PM

This is sort of a mini-tutorial. I make a lot of photos in the Fall, possibly because I just like to wander around in the woods with the squirrels. Usually I am not too pleased with the results. Even after processing, the results seem to lack the depth (like a Pre-Raphaelite landscape) of actually being there. And unsharp mask, no matter how carefully applied, introduces unwanted sparkles everywhere.

Misha883 posted Thu, 18 November 2004 at 10:02 PM

One thing I've found that works is to separately select the foreground and the background. And apply different curves adjustments to each.

Misha883 posted Thu, 18 November 2004 at 10:03 PM

And, like this:

Misha883 posted Thu, 18 November 2004 at 10:05 PM

And now, the REAL trick, do NOT use unsharp mask, or use it very sparingly. Let most of the leaves flutter in the breeze! But, break one of the generally accepted rules, and use Sharpen to bring out select highlights.

Misha883 posted Thu, 18 November 2004 at 10:09 PM

Resulting in this! [I did this quickly, and the are bandwidth constraints, so I hope the general idea comes across. I actually refrain from using unsharp mask fairly often to add softness, while using Sharpen on select areas like grasses, fur, sharp thorns, to accent the texture.]

randyrives posted Fri, 19 November 2004 at 7:42 AM

The results are much better than the original. Filing this away for future reference. Thanks!


deemarie posted Fri, 19 November 2004 at 12:07 PM

Excellent tips and tricks Misha :) Thanks so much for sharing! Dee-Marie


Onslow posted Fri, 19 November 2004 at 2:08 PM

Thank you so much for sharing - I for one find this really useful.

And every one said, 'If we only live,
We too will go to sea in a Sieve,---
To the hills of the Chankly Bore!'
Far and few, far and few, Are the lands where the Jumblies live;
Their heads are green, and their hands are blue, And they went to sea in a Sieve.

Edward Lear
http://www.nonsenselit.org/Lear/ns/jumblies.html


Michelle A. posted Sat, 20 November 2004 at 1:03 AM

Wonderful results on the end image.... postwork can be so challenging.... you did good!

I am, therefore I create.......
--- michelleamarante.com