"Morning Blend"

I love coffee in the morning, but unlike many, I prefer plain coffee. No blends for me Thanks! When it comes to my photography, however, I like to blend exposures to reveal full detail in very dynamic lighting conditions. At the same time, I'm no fan of HDR that looks cartoonish. Therefore, I am still experimenting with manual blends that allow more control over the results. So here we go again. This is a testy one, with lots of intersecting branches in the sky. As well, the inland bay adds another dimension. This one's a work in progress; trying a new method. I couldn't resist the framing trees (especially the one on the left) even though I knew I would be challenged during PP. I have found a new move that solves some of these problems. Without objective observations, however, I am not sure if I am on the right track. I am wondering if you might offer some feedback! (I am aware of some minor haloing in the upper right).

Thanks for your feedback. Viewing the Larger preview is helpful!

Hi Mark,

 

Yeah, that's a tricky one. Lots of elements above the horizon line which makes things difficult. I think you did really good though. I might add a "linear contrast" curve adj. and maybe do a real soft oval selection of the whole area of the distant shoreline and hills in the center image and bump contrast just slightly.

 

Yes, I'm not too much of an HDR fan either unless it's done really good and I totally suck at it.

Hey thanks Jeff for the comment. I will re-work this for sure. The two opposite land masses seem to collide and merge at the same time. They are giving me more fits than the tree branches for sure. I think I worked through this one too fast, excited about trying a new move. I also think the specular highlights are too abundant and prominent in the nearest trees. Meanwhile, I love the twisted branches of the tree on the left and the luminance separation that it has from the rest of the scene.

What a great view to enjoy tlhis morning along with my morning's coffee. congrats, rek.

Hi Mark, as a loyal fan of shadows, I also vote for adding some contrast slightly. I think the blend has been done extremely well with absolutely no technical flaws but I must confess that for my taste, the final result gets a little bit too close to how the HDR looks like.

 

Btw, the scenery is beautiful and framed neatly. And challenging to capture, no doubt about it. :-)

Mark.... Hmmmm, a new method. First of all this is a gorgeous scene. As for the technique, I find the trees on the right and mid frame to be wonderfully life like, typical with all of your work. However, the tree on the left has a surreal texture. Sharp, but unnaturally smooth, more like a Dali painting and reminiscent of results from digital noise removal and smoothing. Perhaps the tree actually looked like this?

 

Anyway, a grand image and I have complete faith that you will perfect your new method. I look forward to the results... Mike

 

PS... speaking of surreal - did you notice the screaming face at the right bottom margin?

Mark, I am another person who is enjoying this incredible image with my morning coffee, second cup actually. I intend to only do a quick glance to see what's new on Photonet, and end up spending half the day.

 

I also have been blending layers of different exposures for years. I just thought it seemed like a good idea when I was still using my ancient Photoshop software. Now I have the latest version, and was surprised that this is pretty much what HDR is about, only as you said, you do have more control when you do it yourself. I haven't produced anything close to what you do, but keep muddling along.

 

The landscape up here in western Canada is similar to California's. At first glance I thought that this was taken here in B.C.

 

Best wishes,

 

Linda

 

 

No better than this.

Super work. Crisp and colorful. Better than the real thing.

I have to say this looks pretty damned seamless to me. If I glance at the image and then move off of it; there might be (might be, mind you) a ghost of fringing (haloing) on the limbs of the left-side snag. Maybe that little touch of bluish cast on the rocks at the base of the snag (LL) could be pulled back to gray too? The lodgepoles on the right side look sweet! Also, I wonder whether a really light gradient from top down to the top of the ridgeline on the other side of Tahoe might help push the viewer more naturally into the center? Bravo, Mark, this is really quite good! Cheers! Chris

 

like it is said, a challenging scenery and technically difficult, but it is worked outstanding, the composition and post-processing, too.

my only little problem is the distant shore of the lake, which on the right side, near to the framing trees, become more contrasty and bluish, compared to the rest of it. and, indeed, a bit of contrast adding to the middle of the frame would be necessary. these are not big problems and could be fixed easily. i use the same technique and i can say you done a really good job here. very good photo.

Thanks Richard, Marek, Mike, Linda, Ali, Jeff, Chris and Zsolt! Yes, Marek, this might be too close to HDR, perhaps an overall darkening of the foreground components. Mike, you crack me up. I do see Dali's screaming face down there. Maybe this is worth something, but hopefully it won't end up in the wrong hands. Chris, thanks for your keen eye. All of the things you noted I will be working on. I will actually go back and re-do this from the start, but I will keep my eye on those points as I am working. Zsolt, you also have a keen eye. I am aware of the darker blue patch along the middle distant ridge. When I re-work this, I will also look for more separation between the two distant ridges. Thanks everyone!