Jamaican sunset

[SamRothstein]

I have two edits of this photo taken while on a short trip to Jamaica last week. Shot RAW and edited in PSE14. First time editing RAW with this program, and gotta say I'm a fan!

D5100 w/ Sigma 18-200
18mm
f/22
1sec
ISO 100
Handheld

First shot is a two exposure HDR taken from one RAW file. First process for the sky, second process for the foreground. Merged to create this:
_DSC1267.HDR

Second shot is just exposed for the sky:
_DSC1267

[Wavelength]

I liked them both The scattered red orange amidst dark clouds make sky look very nice

[Shadowman]

Hi Sam,

Nice capture.
Couple of questions: why not take both exposures with the camera; a stationary support could have been used? Don't you think the D5100 capable of capturing the range of light presented in this scene?

[bnnrcn]

I find #1 better

[SamRothstein]

Hi Sam,

Nice capture.
Couple of questions: why not take both exposures with the camera; a stationary support could have been used? Don't you think the D5100 capable of capturing the range of light presented in this scene?

I was traveling very light and didn't bring s tripod, and was standing on an outcropping of rocks out in the water, so no real level surfaces to set the camera on, or structures to lean against. I did try taking several shots of varying exposure, but when merged together there was just enough movement between the shots to create a horrible image. Maybe there is another program that can align the shots?

The D5100 does have a built in HDR setting, but I chose to do it in post mainly to test myself and push me to shoot raw and edit myself, rather than rely on the camera as I normally do. I tried several exposures of this scene, and either the sky was washed out and dull with a nice building/beach, or the sky was colorful and nice with a dark building/beach.

[Shadowman]

I was traveling very light and didn't bring s tripod, and was standing on an outcropping of rocks out in the water, so no real level surfaces to set the camera on, or structures to lean against. I did try taking several shots of varying exposure, but when merged together there was just enough movement between the shots to create a horrible image. Maybe there is another program that can align the shots?

The D5100 does have a built in HDR setting, but I chose to do it in post mainly to test myself and push me to shoot raw and edit myself, rather than rely on the camera as I normally do. I tried several exposures of this scene, and either the sky was washed out and dull with a nice building/beach, or the sky was colorful and nice with a dark building/beach.

Hi Sam,

Yes, sunrise/sunsets are difficult to capture as seen by the eye, I usually have to underexpose or alter the WB if I want to get the fiery reds. Have you tried using the D-Lighting setting to help control the shadows or use Picture Control for colors; granted the options only apply to jpegs but worth experimenting with.

[SamRothstein]

Hi Sam,

Yes, sunrise/sunsets are difficult to capture as seen by the eye, I usually have to underexpose or alter the WB if I want to get the fiery reds. Have you tried using the D-Lighting setting to help control the shadows or use Picture Control for colors; granted the options only apply to jpegs but worth experimenting with.

I've haven't fiddled with the active d-lighting much, but know it's something I need to experiment with. Only thing I've adjusted in the picture control menu is to up the sharpness and set colors to vibrant.

[IzzieK]

Sam...when you brighten the shadowed trees across the image, it looks good though it is a bit soft (blurry?) --without expanding it in Lytebox, it looks like the trees were being blown by the wind because of the direction of the softness but the building is OK. I had added structure (texture) in Nik's and it looks good with the softness of the trees.

[george013]

D-lighting or Active Day-lighting is not much special. It's not much more as correcting the lightmeter: D-lighting with just incamera PP and Active D-lighting with an exposure correction too.

I don't know what you did in the converter. If you didn't yet, try to play with the colour balance. It can give dramatic results with this kind of photo's.

Personal I want some strong silhouettes in this kind of photo's. If there isn't, than some detail in the dark aerea's. That's why 2 to me.

George

[SamRothstein]

Sam...when you brighten the shadowed trees across the image, it looks good though it is a bit soft (blurry?) --without expanding it in Lytebox, it looks like the trees were being blown by the wind because of the direction of the softness but the building is OK. I had added structure (texture) in Nik's and it looks good with the softness of the trees.

Yes, pretty sure there was a nice breeze which would explain the slight blur of the palms. I'll have to play around with the texture, not something I'm familiar with - yet

I don't know what you did in the converter. If you didn't yet, try to play with the colour balance. It can give dramatic results with this kind of photo's.

Personal I want some strong silhouettes in this kind of photo's. If there isn't, than some detail in the dark aerea's. That's why 2 to me.

Didn't adjust the color balance at all, but will look into it.