Desert Sunset CC Welcome

[wrench]

Hi everyone. I've been working the past several weeks to improve my post processing skills with Gimp. Below is a picture I took last spring. I think it is a beautiful sunset scene, but much of the foreground is black.

[IMG]IMG_2590 by Big00Ern, on Flickr[/IMG]

Below is my Gimp edit. I wanted to bring out some of the foreground detail. I think it looks pretty good, but I will admit that I may have overdone the sky.

[IMG]Desert Sunset by Big00Ern, on Flickr[/IMG]

As always, your thoughts are very welcome.

[Rebel]

I'd crop most, if not all of that black cloud out in the edit

[FrankMi]

If you can, Ernie, try using masking and layers to combine the sky from the first image with the foreground from the second. I don't know Gimp but have been told that layers and masking are possible.

Also, unless you prefer the look of the lens flare, you might consider minimizing it or cloning it out altogether. Sometimes I prefer to keep the lens flare but in thus case, the bright colors are a strong attention getter.

[Nicks Pics]

I use gimp as well, but in my opinion, it makes more sense to use a RAW converter - type program like Lightroom, or one that came with your camera, (or there are probably many other free or purchasable options) for basic editing, such as lightening the shadows, adjusting the colors, white balance, etc. and then if you wanted to try something more advanced with the picture you could use Gimp to do Frank's suggestion about processing the sky and ground differently and then combining them into one image.

[Shadowman]

Very dramatic sky, nothing really interesting in the foreground to recover, I'd try to emphasize for silhouettes unless you can pull some color out of the greenery. I'd even crop some of the foreground from the bottom edge.

[Stagecoach]

Hi Ernie,

Agree the sky is over the top in the edit.

For me I would leave the sky as is in the first image and use a gradient to simply bring the shadows out more in the foreground. Here's a very quick example of what can be achieved but of course you can do more with the original..



Grahame

[FrankMi]

Ernie, if you have access to Lightroom, I'd be happy to point you to some training videos for tips on how to pull more out of this image. Here is an example of what can be done with a sunset image using Lightroom.

[wrench]

Hi Ernie,

Agree the sky is over the top in the edit.

For me I would leave the sky as is in the first image and use a gradient to simply bring the shadows out more in the foreground. Here's a very quick example of what can be achieved but of course you can do more with the original..



Grahame

I like your edit a lot better. My goal is to simply learn to use the software better, to learn what works and what does not. I will do another edit and post my results when time allows. Thanks to everyone for your input. As always, you guys have been very helpful.

[wrench]

Very dramatic sky, nothing really interesting in the foreground to recover, I'd try to emphasize for silhouettes unless you can pull some color out of the greenery. I'd even crop some of the foreground from the bottom edge.

I agree, which explains why I like the first image. I'm simply trying new techniques to see what works and to get some feedback from those with more skill and experience than me. Thanks for your input.

[wrench]

Ernie, if you have access to Lightroom, I'd be happy to point you to some training videos for tips on how to pull more out of this image. Here is an example of what can be done with a sunset image using Lightroom.

Thanks for your input. I don't currently have access to Lightroom. I downloaded Gimp several months ago. It was free, and since I am only a hobbyist, I figure I would try to make the most of what's available for free before I pay for photo editing software.

[wrench]

I use gimp as well, but in my opinion, it makes more sense to use a RAW converter - type program like Lightroom, or one that came with your camera, (or there are probably many other free or purchasable options) for basic editing, such as lightening the shadows, adjusting the colors, white balance, etc. and then if you wanted to try something more advanced with the picture you could use Gimp to do Frank's suggestion about processing the sky and ground differently and then combining them into one image.

I use DPP, Canon's RAW converter, for basic editing. I really like using it, and the first image above was edited using DPP, but It has limitations. It seems that I am often faced with either an over exposed sky or an under exposed foreground and DPP doesn't offer much help there. This is why I am exploring these kinds of edits in Gimp.

[wrench]

If you can, Ernie, try using masking and layers to combine the sky from the first image with the foreground from the second. I don't know Gimp but have been told that layers and masking are possible.

Also, unless you prefer the look of the lens flare, you might consider minimizing it or cloning it out altogether. Sometimes I prefer to keep the lens flare but in thus case, the bright colors are a strong attention getter.

The second image was created using layers and masks. I am new to this and I think I have over done the sky. I've tried combining sky/foreground images before. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I was using a different technique for this image. For some reason, the lens flare appeals to me, but I agree it is distracting. I will see what I can do with it in subsequent edits. Thanks for your input.

[wrench]

I'd crop most, if not all of that black cloud out in the edit

I agree. Adds nothing to the image. Thanks!

[IzzieK]

+1 to both Matt and Frank's comments.

[bnnrcn]

Hi Ernie I like Grahame's edit and I agree with Matt about cropping some of the dark sky.

[FrankMi]

The second image was created using layers and masks. I am new to this and I think I have over done the sky. I've tried combining sky/foreground images before. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I was using a different technique for this image. For some reason, the lens flare appeals to me, but I agree it is distracting. I will see what I can do with it in subsequent edits. Thanks for your input.

Playing with getting pleasing results can be a fun exercise! Enjoy the exploration as no pixels will be harmed in the process!

[wrench]

Here is my second edit of this photo. I left the sky untouched from the original and concentrated on bringing out the foreground detail. I would like to increase the saturation in the foreground, I just need to figure out how to do it without affecting the sky. Thanks again for all of your help and advice.

[IMG]Desert Sunset Take 2 by Big00Ern, on Flickr[/IMG]

[wrench]

Here is another edit. This time I used layers in Gimp to simulate a GND filter. I realize that cropping may be required. I am simply experimenting with different post processing techniques.

[IMG]Desert Sunset Take 3 by Big00Ern, on Flickr[/IMG]

[Stagecoach]

Good progress Ernie,

Having to work on the sky and foreground separately is very often required especially at these hours of the day. I'm not familiar with the software you are using but if you have the ability for gradients in the RAW software you have that's the best place to start. If not layers with gradient masks is the way to go.

The transition at the horizon is the most complicated bit to get right unless you have a decent level horizon without trees encroaching into it. This can often be overcome by using a gradient mask somewhere up towards the horizon and then adding/subtracting to this mask with a brush, if available.

Practice is what it needs and this is an ideal image to do that with. Once mastered you will find you are using the method for many images.

I often get a bit confused in making the near foreground brighter which is generally how we see it but 'rules' suggest the light will lead your eyes to it so the lightest part should not be at the bottom of the frame

Grahame

[bnnrcn]

Hi Ernie I prefer the secon edit in post #17, I think the one in #18 is too bright . IMO lens flare doesn't add to the image. I would also crop most of the dark clouds to put the emphasis more on the FG and lovely sunset. You would also come close to the 1/3 rule this way .