Thunderbird: of chrome and blown highlights.

[ancient_mariner]

I recently took some pictures at the Reynolds Car Museum in Wetaskiwin under slightly difficult conditions (i.e. ambient lighting). When I came to process them I wanted that hard, sparkly look, but found that the only way to obtain it with these images was at the cost of blowing highlights. Is this considered a bit 'naughty' or reasonably acceptable, given the vehicles were all lit with un-diffused spotlights?

Example image:

 

[Nod]

Next time you're out and about, stare at a scene for 10 seconds or so then shut your eyes (avoid the direct sun!) Those latent spots of glare you see with your eyes shut are the equivalent of naturally blown highlights so if a similar area of high shine looks blown on an image, don't worry about it! If there are large areas of blown bits (clouds, for example), it can be a problem but the odd spot or 2 can be effective IMO. Spotlit chrome will give blown spots - fact of life!

 

[ancient_mariner]

Thanks Nod - that's a sensible approach.