Sunset from Fisher Towers, Moab Utah

[wrench]

I have learned so much in the past few weeks of frequenting this site! I've been going back through many of my old photos I've taken years ago; many of which I thought were hopeless; and re-processing, and cropping them. Some are turning out much better than I had hoped! Here is one I re-processed and cropped today:

Sunset from Fisher Towers, near Moab Utah by Big00Ern, on Flickr

Originally, it was basically a monochrome with a featureless white sky and foreground. I set the exposure to -1.67, added some color saturation, and cropped away the dark foreground.

What are your thoughts? Anything you would have done differently?

Ernie

[FrankMi]

I have learned so much in the past few weeks of frequenting this site! I've been going back through many of my old photos I've taken years ago; many of which I thought were hopeless; and re-processing, and cropping them. Some are turning out much better than I had hoped! Here is one I re-processed and cropped today:

Sunset from Fisher Towers, near Moab Utah by Big00Ern, on Flickr

Originally, it was basically a monochrome with a featureless white sky and foreground. I set the exposure to -1.67, added some color saturation, and cropped away the dark foreground.

What are your thoughts? Anything you would have done differently?

I'd be very curious, Ernie, what the original SOOC image looked like. Perhaps from that it would be possible to determine what other options might be available.

[bnnrcn]

I agree with Frank

[wrench]

Thanks to everybody for your interest! Here is the original, unedited picture:

IMG_1596 shot settings by Big00Ern, on Flickr

[bnnrcn]

Foreground seems interesting, have you tried brightening foreground and cropping most of the sky? Just an idea

[Geoff F]

That is virtually the same as I would have done, Ernie. You may have got away with a very tiny amount of more black foreground.

[wrench]

Here is another edit where I increased the exposure a little to expose more of the foreground.

IMG_1596 second edit by Big00Ern, on Flickr

I really like how the increased exposure brought out the difference in contrast between the mesas in the distance, but I prefer the first image overall. I really like the colors in the sky and the silhouetted mesas add a bit of mystery.

I'm pretty happy with both images, actually. I'm still surprised that anything could be salvaged from the original.

Ernie

[Geoff F]

For me, Ernie, if you are going to try an edit, like your last version, you really need to use layers with carefully edited masking to control the brightness/saturation levels around the scene, as required.

I suspect there will be several versions before you finally make a decision on which will become the keeper, or indeed several keepers.

Incidentally, I shot something similar last evening, although with somewhat different subjects. Tried a couple of edits from several shots today, but I'm still not sure which, if any, will be my keepers.

[wrench]

For me, Ernie, if you are going to try an edit, like your last version, you really need to use layers with carefully edited masking to control the brightness/saturation levels around the scene, as required.

I suspect there will be several versions before you finally make a decision on which will become the keeper, or indeed several keepers.

Incidentally, I shot something similar last evening, although with somewhat different subjects. Tried a couple of edits from several shots today, but I'm still not sure which, if any, will be my keepers.

Is something like your suggesting, layers and edited masking, beyond the scope of DPP? I've been thinking of another editing program, such as photoshop or lightroom, but I was unsure if they were really worth the expense.

Still a lot to learn.

[Geoff F]

Yes, you are fairly limited with DPP. It is fine for a Raw Converter with further editing to be conducted elsewhere; but with DPP you are restricted to rather 'global' editing. Although for many people, that is all they require.

I'm not sure if the latest DPP has anything in the way of Adjustment Brushes which could be something worth trying.

Lightroom doesn't do layers and masking either, although I have heard of a third party plug in which will do masking.

The more recent Photoshop Elements and of course the more expensive CS versions have a fairly comprehensive range of suitable options. But there are other quite acceptable alternatives.

I think the free Gimp software can do quite a bit, once you master it. For several years I used Serif Photo Plus which is a lower cost option, although rather similar to Elements and I think the price difference is less now.

[Donald]

I think Geoff has given an excellent, succinct summary in that post immediately above. It's very easy to 'over-think' the whole thing about post-processing and get totally confused.

For quite a few years, I used DPP as my RAW Converter and then took the resulting TIFF files into the GIMP for finishing. It does offer the likes of layers etc that are not available in the RAW processor. The GIMP does come with quite a steep learning curve as there are not the resources out there to support it in the same way as the Adobe suite of tools. But is is an excellent tool and is free.

In my opinion, the image you've posted clearly demonstrates that you're already way above the 'snapshooter' standard and you may well want to get very serious about your image-making. If you want to launch yourself down the Adobe path, you may well want to start with the latest version of Elements. This allows you to 'test the water' and get a feel for what taking your post-processing to the next level, is about.

[wrench]

Yes, you are fairly limited with DPP. It is fine for a Raw Converter with further editing to be conducted elsewhere; but with DPP you are restricted to rather 'global' editing. Although for many people, that is all they require.

I'm not sure if the latest DPP has anything in the way of Adjustment Brushes which could be something worth trying.

Lightroom doesn't do layers and masking either, although I have heard of a third party plug in which will do masking.

The more recent Photoshop Elements and of course the more expensive CS versions have a fairly comprehensive range of suitable options. But there are other quite acceptable alternatives.

I think the free Gimp software can do quite a bit, once you master it. For several years I used Serif Photo Plus which is a lower cost option, although rather similar to Elements and I think the price difference is less now.

Thanks again! You have been very helpful. Being that I am an amature and that photography is only a hobby (A very enjoyable hobby to be sure!), I was reluctant to spend so much on software. Especially since I am really unsure of what the software does and how I could benefit. This is something I need to look into a little more.

[wrench]

I think Geoff has given an excellent, succinct summary in that post immediately above. It's very easy to 'over-think' the whole thing about post-processing and get totally confused.

For quite a few years, I used DPP as my RAW Converter and then took the resulting TIFF files into the GIMP for finishing. It does offer the likes of layers etc that are not available in the RAW processor. The GIMP does come with quite a steep learning curve as there are not the resources out there to support it in the same way as the Adobe suite of tools. But is is an excellent tool and is free.

In my opinion, the image you've posted clearly demonstrates that you're already way above the 'snapshooter' standard and you may well want to get very serious about your image-making. If you want to launch yourself down the Adobe path, you may well want to start with the latest version of Elements. This allows you to 'test the water' and get a feel for what taking your post-processing to the next level, is about.

Thank you for your kind words! If Gimp is free, I have nothing to lose by trying it out! Also, I was pretty close to buying Photoshop elements about a year ago, but I really didn't understand what it did or how I would use it. I really need to get smart on these things.

[Shadowman]

Nice image, I like the treatment and capture of the sky.

[FrankMi]

Thanks again! You have been very helpful. Being that I am an amature and that photography is only a hobby (A very enjoyable hobby to be sure!), I was reluctant to spend so much on software. Especially since I am really unsure of what the software does and how I could benefit. This is something I need to look into a little more.

I am sorry I couldn't get back to you sooner Ernie, but I see that you have received some excellent responses. I would love to see the combination of the foreground from the final post with the sky from the original post. Unfortunately, that would take more than the global 'across the board' adjustments available in entry level software.

You indicated that you are unsure of what software that supports masking and layers could do for you and given the cost, whether it is a direction that you want to explore.

I can offer you a few examples in the Project 52 exercise I did where the before and after are presented so that you can see what can be pulled out of an image using masks and layers. Here is one that is similar in some respects to what to would need to do to achieve this goal. If you look through some of the other examples in that thread you will find a number of before and after examples.

[bnnrcn]

Hi Ernie. I used DPP just for a short time in the past and yes it is really a limited software. I'm happy with PS CC now , I'm not an expert on it but I have learnt a lot so far . I have got a subscription for it and I pay a small amount monthly. 'Layers' function is really helpful in PS CC and GIMP has 'Layers' too. So, I suggest that you should learn layers thoroughly whichever software you use

BTW I like your last crop . After learning layers it won't be difficult for you to make local adjustments in your images and then you might as well edit this image to your taste

[Marie Hass]

Dear Ernie,

I started my editing with DPP and hated it. I moved from there to Adobe Elements 8 (which I loved), which I still have and use on my laptop, especially when travelling. Elements can be had for +/- $100. Well worth the expense.

Like Binnur, I also have a monthly subscription to Photoshop. Pictures that I processed in Elements can be moved to Photoshop, and vice versa.

[wrench]

Hi everyone. I've downloaded the Gimp and have spent the last week trying to learn how to use it. Someone had said that it has a steep learning curve. They were right, but I was able to churn out this remix of the original straight from the camera shot:

fisher towers sunset Gimp Processed by Big00Ern, on Flickr

It may need to be cropped, but I wanted to show everyone the foreground detail.

I really appreciate everyones feedback. Let me know what you think!

[FrankMi]

It is indeed a different image like this, but one that I am thoroughly enjoying. It is also spectacular that you are learning how to use more sophisticated capabilities in your post processing. I'm sure you will get a lot of pleasure out of seeing what gems are hidden in your images, just waiting for your gentle caress!

[Nicks Pics]

Hello folks, I have been using LR 5, but although it has about all I know how to use at this point, ( though I wouldn't want to have to go back to my old Raw Converter for long), I was wondering what advantages layers provide, as they have been recommended here?

I do think the latest image is a great improvement.