Helpful Posts: As I continue to work on some files from my September trip to Yosemite and the eastern Sierra, I musn't forget wonderful, dramatic Scotland.
We moan about our weather, but it does have the advantage of providing dramatic, cloud-filled skies. All the aspiring photographer has to do is learn how to make the most of them.
As well as using Silver Efex Pro's control points on this, I did as lot of dodging in he sky to try and bring out what it felt like to be there. Let me know if you feel the drama. All comments welcomed.
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Thread: I do like a sky with character
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9th January 2017, 01:16 PM #1Moderator
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I do like a sky with character
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9th January 2017, 01:40 PM #2
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Re: I do like a sky with character
Yes, I feel the drama in the sky. More important, the sky, land and loch complement each other.
I'm curious about your decision-making process that ultimately results in a toned image. For me, the decision to tone a monochrome is almost always driven by the desire for the warmth a black-and-white image doesn't provide. I can't put my finger on the characteristics of an image that require that added warmth, only that I know when I see the image whether or not I want the warmth.
I occasionally add a slight blue tone to a black-and-white to make it more icy, steely and cooler, but it is to such a slight extent that most people wouldn't notice that it has been toned. Again, I only know when I see the image whether or not I want that effect.
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9th January 2017, 02:09 PM #3Moderator
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Re: I do like a sky with character
+1 to Mike's comments, Donald.
I love dramatic skies as well, but to me they are a means to an end, and not an end in themselves as they need to contrast and compliment the other parts of the image. In this shot, I find you have almost suppressed the foreground and middle ground in favour of the sky. I think a bit of work via dodging the foreground would give the shot more balance, as right now those beautiful foreground textures are being suppressed.
I'm also wonder about your choice of a warm tone for what looks like a damp and chilly place, much along the lines of what Mike has written. Neutral or slightly cool (blue) would also make sense to me, but a warm hue seems more of a mixed message, unless perhaps you are trying to create a bit of a schizophrenic feel to the place.
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9th January 2017, 02:41 PM #4
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Re: I do like a sky with character
O, what a fantastic story!!!!
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9th January 2017, 04:04 PM #5
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Re: I do like a sky with character
No tech stuff, just to say, wonderful image.
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9th January 2017, 04:08 PM #6
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Re: I do like a sky with character
Very dramatic sky Donald, I like it very much
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9th January 2017, 06:01 PM #7
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Re: I do like a sky with character
I like it, Donald. Has a dramatic feel to me.
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9th January 2017, 06:05 PM #8
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Re: I do like a sky with character
i appreciate that you have not overly sharpened/colored the clouds - just the right touch. They are truly the story in this image so it makes sense that the land is minimized. thanks for creating this so well!
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9th January 2017, 06:38 PM #9
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Re: I do like a sky with character
I'm not sure where this is, but having just returned from a 4 day visit to Skye I'm pretty sure that the dominant foreground colour would be a warm brown. In that context, the treatment applied by Donald makes sense.
Originally Posted by GrumpyDiver
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9th January 2017, 07:31 PM #10Moderator
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Re: I do like a sky with character
It is Sutherland, Bill. Right up on the north coast of Scotland. Originally Posted by billtils
And for everyone else - Why is land on the north coast called Suther (southern) land? Because that's what it was to the Vikings.
Anyway, thank you all for your comments. Some great discussion, particularly re the use of toning. I will try the ideas suggested re cooler tones. I tend to use the same toning for all my images, only occasionally going even warmer with Silver Efex Pro's Copper (No 17) tone.
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9th January 2017, 07:59 PM #11
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Re: I do like a sky with character
Beautiful image, I'm actually visiting Dunfermline on a street photography project in March and spending a day in the highlands.
It will be my first time in Scotland
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9th January 2017, 08:06 PM #12Moderator
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Re: I do like a sky with character
We'll hold on to you and keep you as a bargaining chip for independence!! Originally Posted by Rebel
It will be my first time in Scotland
Dunfermline is not far from where I am. I hope you have a great time Matt. Do you know where you're going in the Highlands. If it's just one day, I suspect it might be Glencoe. I was through there at the weekend visiting my dad in hospital in Fort William. With mountains looming out of the fog and low cloud, it was spectacular. Unfortunately I wasn't in picture making mode.
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9th January 2017, 08:12 PM #13
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Re: I do like a sky with character
I support Scottish independence, wish we had the economy to support our own independence! Originally Posted by Donald
No idea, I'll find out and let you know before I go - maybe you can give me a heads up on wherever it is.
All the best to your dad
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9th January 2017, 11:44 PM #14
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Re: I do like a sky with character
Looks good, quite a bit of drama with the clouds and landscape compliments the sky so well.
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