Mirror Rock Re-done

[arith]

Taken in 2009 using a Canon 10D and very basic software



and redone using the most advanced software; Helicon Filter, Topaz DeNoise, Topaz InFocus, Topaz Detail, PSE10 exposure merge and Orton.

Is it any better ?

[Mark von Kanel]

eerrrrmmm sorry Steve, but in my opinion, no it is'nt. it feels washed to me although it looks sharper, maybe a little too sharp.

[arith]

Cheers Mark; I can't seem to get the rock to sparkle without blowing the sky.

[arith]

Redo III but still not there I think.



So how do you get the sparkle. how

[Mark von Kanel]

Steve im no expert, in fact i wouldnt have a clue how to do it, but id make a layer, that includes only the rock and the work on the background separately, then once youd got that as you liked merge the layers with the original rock so it still sparkles. if you dont have layers, then can you make a mask for the rock so that you adjustments dont apply to it? im assuming you like the rock as is?

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Steve,

Here's how I did it;


It's possibly overdone?

Duplicated the background layer
Erased the top layer over the rock
Then I switched to working on the lower layer only (with rock still there and that was only thing showing through)
Levels 240, 1.5
LCE using USM; 30% 250px
Desaturate (there were some false colour artefacts from the preceding processing)
Sharpen using USM 100% 0.3px
Flatten layers

So the essence was selective treatment, thus avoiding problems with the sky or 'sparkling' the tree leaves as well.

UPDATE: I see Mark came to the same conclusion
UPDATE 2:
LCE = Local Contrast Enhancement
USM = Un Sharp Mask

Cheers,

[arith]

That is it Dave; not so bad now eh.

[jeeperman]

I see Dave has beat me to it. Before I post it I am betting there is not much difference between ours. The main difference is how we went about the edit. I used LR4. Useing the last image posted, I used the adjustement brush and adjusted only the rock. I recovered a little shadow, boosted slightly the highlights, added a bit of clearity and slightly sharpened.

I then raised the exposure of the entire image slightly {maybe a lttle too much}, and used a slight sharpening mask.

[arith]

Cheers Paul; great minds think alike

[Mark von Kanel]

Hey it would seem im a PP guru well i would be if i knew how to practice what i preach!!!