LAB Example

andymillson

OK I posted a message in the critique forums, and mentioned I was going to do some LAB work with it. Well here it is :

The original image is



Here is the Image after applying LAB changes, as well as the curves I used







OK I could have done better putting the curves together

The Blue and green have definitely improved, but I really like the way the colors in the base now have some better definition.

I haven't yet gotten my head around the L channel changes. so didn't change anything there, but I sis apply USM to the L channel

Thoughts, comments?

DavidTO

Did you add a bit of a yellow cast to the base? Maybe try making the B curve a bit shallower than the A curve, to de-emphasize the yellow/blue. Just a touch. The sky shouldn't change much, but you should get a more neutral color in the base. There are more advanced ways to tackle that, but I think you'll get good results trying that.

As for the L curve, well, that controls the luminosity. In LAB you'll see most benefit when you need to increase contrast. It does a good job of that. It's also a very strong adjuster--meaning a little goes a long way and sometimes it lacks the subtlety needed. Your image has a basically good dynamic range, but a touch of steepening may help.

Try something like this. All I did was put an anchor at the center, and then pull the shadows a bit darker. At the same time this lifts the highlights, creating more contrast. A little goes a long way in your image. I liked the change. What do you think?

andymillson

Thanks for the feedback!

Unsubtle! Good way to put it!

I have been having trouble with the L channel and I understand why now, been doing too much!

I will tweak and see what I come up, and post a new version later

andymillson

OK new version


Left the A channel as before, put the B channel to the default curve, and used your settings for the L channel. I like the new version, as you say it does change the contrast. Not too sure about the lower left corner now, too dark?.

Of course now I want to go through all the pics I took of Liberty and see what I can do

DavidTO

andymillson wrote:

OK new version


Left the A channel as before, put the B channel to the default curve, and used your settings for the L channel. I like the new version, as you say it does change the contrast. Not too sure about the lower left corner now, too dark?.

Of course now I want to go through all the pics I took of Liberty and see what I can do

K, now try this:

Go back to your first version where the A and B were moved the same. Anchor your center point and a point that's very close to it on the blue side of (negative) side of the B curve, to lock them in place. Then move the yellow side of the curve radically, as I did in this curve. See how that works for you.

DavidTO

BTW, I think Rutt's going to kill me for moving through this so quickly and with so little explanation.

The reason's simple, Rutt. You explain it much better than I do! Let's hear it.



Or maybe Rutt'll just tell me I bolluxed it up. Gus, did I spell that right?

rutt

Please post link to a jpeg as close as possible to the original as possible (no sharpening, color correction.) I find it pretty frustrating to work on these small images.