Rock Pathway

[Sergio M.]

This is a rock pathway on the Window hiking trail. Really is wonderful. I tried to bring out the subtle differences in color and the detail of the rocks (and man made stairs) yet their smoothness. I didn't want to over sharpen since they were not. Did I accomplish this? Do they still need sharpening or is there something else I should do?

Your C&C would be greatly appreciated.

Sergio


32mm, f11, 1/30, iso 200

[Wavelength]

Awesome is the word....HDR?

[Geoff F]

Looks fine, with good colour.

I was wondering if it would take a fraction more in highlight brightness; but this might be too much and ruin the 'softness of the hard stone'.

[Sergio M.]

Awesome is the word....HDR?

Thank you, Nandakumar. It was just one exposure with post processing in Lightroom, Elements 11, and some Color Efex Pro filters in layers used in Elements.

Sergio

[Sergio M.]

Looks fine, with good colour.

I was wondering if it would take a fraction more in highlight brightness; but this might be too much and ruin the 'softness of the hard stone'.

Thanks, Geoff. I actually did increase the highlights with brushes in both Lightroom and Elements, but past a certain point it did change the appearance as you mentioned, so I backed off. Thanks for your suggestion.

Sergio

[Ken Curtis]

Hi Sergio.

I think the subtle differences do show in your image, but the light rocks tend to pull the eye away from the steps. Can you darken those rocks using a levels adjustment layer and a mask in Elements?

[Sergio M.]

Ken, I've tried your suggestion and have posted below. It's subtle darkening, but one that is noticeable, I think.

Is this along the lines of what your were suggesting?

Sergio

[Ken Curtis]

Is this along the lines of what your were suggesting?

Yes, Sergio, it is. Maybe try a bit darker. The goal is to focus the viewer's attention on the steps. I still find the lower left and lower right corners somewhat bright.

[Sergio M.]

Thank you, Ken. I re-posted the image above your last post to reflect the changes. I tried concentrating on the lower left and lower right corners.

Thanks again for your feedback.

Sergio

[Geoff F]

Sergio. I don't know if you do this sort of thing but when adjusting difficult subjects for brightness, what I often do is to use an Adjustment Layer (eg Curves). Then change the Blend Mode to Luminosity which only affects the brightness not the saturation as well.

This can be applied as an Adjustment Layer or create a duplicate layer from the background image and change that layer blend mode.

I also often use a layer and mask (already in place with adjustment layers) for a little bit of selective variation.

[Sergio M.]

Thank you so much for this pearl of information, Geoff. I do use layers for adjustments and knew to use luminosity mode for sharpening, but it hadn't occurred to me to use it for brightness adjustments.

You have armed me with another valuable tool in my post processing bag. They say, "Knowledge is Power", well you have equipped me with more to hopefully bring out of my images what I originally saw and felt.

Thanks again.

Sergio

[batmura]

Great image, Sergio.

[Sergio M.]

Murat, thank you for your comment. It's appreciated.

Sergio