A grey Snowdonia day [Archive]

View Full Version : A grey Snowdonia day

siejones

24-10-2006, 18:48

I had high hopes for the Saturday before last as all forecasts were extremely favourable for a good mountain walk/photo session in the Snowdonia.

I was really dissapointed as the weather started grey and never really picked up. Horrible weather for photo's. The light was bad and barely any colour to the landscape. That was the landscape I could see below the cloud.

Anyway I have had a crack at bringing some life to the pictures I did take and here they are:

http://www.ukmountains.com/forumpics/IMG_4541.jpg

http://www.ukmountains.com/forumpics/IMG_4543.jpg

http://www.ukmountains.com/forumpics/IMG_4547.jpg

http://www.ukmountains.com/forumpics/IMG_4588.jpg

RickMezza

24-10-2006, 18:54

Nice photos from a beautifull part of the UK :thumbs: , but where's my favourite - Tryffan :)

siejones

24-10-2006, 19:19

I had started on Tryfan but it was too dark and grey to get a good shot of it :(

Marianne

24-10-2006, 20:02

well they look great!

ed34

24-10-2006, 21:06

nice shots :thumbs:

24-10-2006, 22:56

Really nice shots and well worth the walk. :)

1 and 3 might benefit from HDR processing?

siejones

25-10-2006, 06:19

Thank for the comments everyone :)

One and three actually are already digitally blended. I don't go to far as I like it to look authentic in the dynamic range.

In my experiance with HDR I find it make false looking pictures and leaves with a highly processed look. Even the HDR specific programs have samples on there websites that look bad.

Thats just my opinion of coarse :)

I tend to use a simple method of digital blending that kind of emulates what a ND filter does. If I have to use it heavily the image just looks like I have used an ND grad and I like that.

HIMUPNORTH

25-10-2006, 09:06

Tick your "Edit Images" box in your user profile and you may find others will add their interpretations which may help you take your own editing in another direction.

siejones

25-10-2006, 10:06

Tick your "Edit Images" box in your user profile and you may find others will add their interpretations which may help you take your own editing in another direction.

Tis done.

Thanks

Mike

25-10-2006, 10:14

Lovely shots .... I think I may need a trip up Snowdonia again very soon :)

Mike

photostar_1

25-10-2006, 10:23

Typical soft colours of Wales.....Lovely!

HIMUPNORTH

25-10-2006, 10:36

OK Here's my first pass:

http://garywilliamson.co.uk/PhotoDump/IMG_4547y.jpg

edit - NOW UPLOADED ELSEWHERE

Work done:
Create background copy as new layer - change to Multiply and add gradient mask to leave foreground as is and reduce opacity to 80%.
Add levels layer (0/0.92/235) and again mask so foreground not affected.
Add Saturation layer and desaturate by -33.
Add yellow photo filter with density at 17.

Effect created simulates an old oil painting look but you can go in a number of directions with such a fine starting point. :thumbs:

siejones

25-10-2006, 11:06

OK Here's my first pass:

http://f7.yahoofs.com/users/44653f9cm1cfc9bb4/2c54/__sr_/24efre2.jpg?phwO0PFBpkZ_dWAe

Hope the link works to my Yahoo space. If it doesn't I'll upload it elsewhere.

Work done:
Create background copy as new layer - change to Multiply and add gradient mask to leave foreground as is and reduce opacity to 80%.
Add levels layer (0/0.92/235) and again mask so foreground not affected.
Add Saturation layer and desaturate by -33.
Add yellow photo filter with density at 17.

Effect created simulates an old oil painting look but you can go in a number of directions with such a fine starting point. :thumbs:

Link dont work mate :(

What I had already done seem to be close to your steps:

1. Created 2 exposures from RAW file.
2. Copied on image into the other as a layer and added a sub mask using a gradient to ease the one into the other.
3. Desaturated a touch amongst other tiny changes in contrast and brightness.
4. Added a warmth photo filter.

HIMUPNORTH

25-10-2006, 11:22

NOW UPLOADED ELSEWHERE

siejones

25-10-2006, 12:51

OK Here's my first pass:

edit - NOW UPLOADED ELSEWHERE

Work done:
Create background copy as new layer - change to Multiply and add gradient mask to leave foreground as is and reduce opacity to 80%.
Add levels layer (0/0.92/235) and again mask so foreground not affected.
Add Saturation layer and desaturate by -33.
Add yellow photo filter with density at 17.

Effect created simulates an old oil painting look but you can go in a number of directions with such a fine starting point. :thumbs:

I see what you mean. That is an improvement.

I was worried of darkening too much but you have pulled it off.

Thanks mate :)

KenCo

25-10-2006, 20:01

siejones

25-10-2006, 21:37

Hope you don't mind....but I had a go at it last night but realised your I/E was not ticked. Because it was last night, I don't remember deatails to well but just played with curves, levels and shadow/highlight. Also because the processing was quick and on this jpg, I managed to blow some of the sky out....so some dodgy quick cloning in the sky.

http://www.takingthepic.com/Website/Active/Forum%20Pics/IMG_4547.jpg

All good shots though.
Ken.

Nice one. It does make the picture more colourful and with more impact and you could argue on the whole a better picture but it is started to look processed which is something I try to avoid if possible.

Thanks though nice work of art now :)

HIMUPNORTH

26-10-2006, 07:35

Well done Ken - Nice work!

Siejones (steve?) - A version like Ken's would sell so do not be too afraid of pushing into the "arty" or "unrealistic" domains as they do have appeal. You can always create different versions and even go back on a sunny day and get a different type of shot.

26-10-2006, 08:54

In my experiance with HDR I find it make false looking pictures and leaves with a highly processed look. Even the HDR specific programs have samples on there websites that look bad.

I actually totally agree with you. HDR needs to be used carefully - it isn't a panacea for all ills. Once you get the processing halos which you see in a lot of overdone images, it just kills the whole effect for me.

I had a quick go at it and produced something surprisingly similar to Adam's, so I did this alternative version which makes a bit more of those pools of sunlight on the hill.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/530/Hills_HDR.jpg

Just ideas for you. ;)

KenCo

26-10-2006, 09:42

Nice one. It does make the picture more colourful and with more impact and you could argue on the whole a better picture but it is started to look processed which is something I try to avoid if possible.

Thanks though nice work of art now :)

Fairy nuff!

siejones

26-10-2006, 12:08

Fairy nuff!

Hope you wern't offended. It looks superb you did a great job. A man who really knows what he is doing no doubt.

Himupnorth is right when I think about it. The punter up the road who prolly has no idea about photography would buy yours over mine no doubts and prolly couldn't care less how it was done.

CT: Another super example. It now looks like a winter scene :)

I bow to and learn from the masters :notworthy: