How Do I Process This Rainforest Shot?

redleash

I know this is not a great shot, but I would like to know how to process one of these shots. I know I have seen some nice images showing jungle growth with low clouds. How are those done? I have more from my trip and want to know what to do if I find a keeper. I did shoot some with multiple exposures so I might have some luck with HDR. In the case of a single exposure such as this one--exposed for the shadows--what can I do in post to enhance it?

I can't go back and re-shoot but if there is something I can learn from this shot I'd appreciate your help. This image was processed only with ACR default settings and converted to JPEG.

Thanks,
Lauren

marcpro

Hi,
First I would say just be playful and try things.

Try cropping out some at of the fog at the top.

Do you have Lightroom or Photoshop? Try a gradient filter from the top to darken the fog a bit. You didn't use an ND gradient filter when you took the shot, but you can add one in Post-Processing.

Cheers,
Marc.

DonRicklin

And following on Marc's advice try to et more contrast accross the greenery with the Tone Curve in LR or Curves in PSCS.

This image can be improved!

Don

redleash

I should have given more info: I have Aperture and PS CS4. Did not use a ND filter and might've forgotten to remove my polarizer. I'll try to process it and re-post for further comments.

Thanks,

daveman

process
This is the kind of shot that I would bring two versions into PS from ACR - one that maximizes the sky and the other maximize the ground. Create separate layers in one file of each - then mask / blend.


The link below has a tutorial on this approach - this is a way to leverage the dynamic range provided by the RAW file. I have also seen this approach discussed on this forum, but cannot seem to find a link to it.

Good luck.
Dave

http://www.nwpphotoforum.com/ubbthreads/information/php/2007_Articles/rjohnston/roman2.php

Dwayne Oakes

Hi Lauren.

Cool place ! Let me know if it is ok to tweak your photo, I can
give you some tips on how to spice it up a bit.

Take care,

Dwayne Oakes

rwells

Hey Lauren,

I'd just make a duplicate layer, do some dodging & burning to taste using the highlights, midtones & shadows selection as desired. You can then make a curves layer and adjust as you see fit, also making curves adjustments to the red, green, blue, if desired to change the colors up.

I don't have any formula for this, I just process until it looks like what I'm after.

Here is a quick processing job on your image. Of course it's taken from this post, so it's low res, and it shows. But it might give you some ideas to start with.

Original



Processed

squirl033

if you want to try your hand at pseudo-HDR using an inexpensive program called ReDynaMix, you might find it surprisingly good. it took me about 5 minutes to tweak this, with a little more time, you could do an even better job. ReDynaMix is available from MediaChance.com, costs $16... can't beat the price, and it actually works pretty well...

redleash

Thanks for the continuing good tips! I will try a couple different versions and post results. I do have Photomatix Pro so I can do tonemapping but haven't tried it yet.

Dave - I've been trying to blend two versions after processing in ACR but don't like the results yet. Thanks for the good link--it is helping.

Randy--I like your version, even low-res. I'll try it on RAW file.

Dwayne - Feel free to work on it. I'll be anxious to see what you do.

Thanks!

Dwayne Oakes

Here is the tweak Lauren,

tweak

-cropped the photo a tad tigher as the photo is a bit top heavy and
placed to the sky to 1/3 rule

-lightened (dodge) a hotspot in (sun) just over the right mountain to
create some light drama

-lightened (dodge) some of the great shades of green through out the
photo

-lightened (dodge) the two trees higher than the rest in the FG right

-added a tad of global contrast boost

-added a tad of selective USM (sharpening) to the treen line in the FG,
the moutain area on left and hillside on the right

Hope this helps.

Take care,

Dwayne Oakes