LPS #2 Clouds

[Bendr]

Hi Folks, So far, this is what I've come up with...
http://bendr.smugmug.com/photos/138921143-L.jpg
What do you guys think? Thanks!

[Swartzy]

works very well as majestic/stately providing you give the viewer some perspective to the size and magnitude. Some foreground with a lone tree for instance with gigantic cloud activity may work. This in it's present form looks like a shot up at the sky....beautiful clouds but not there yet.

[Bendr]

works very well as majestic/stately providing you give the viewer some perspective to the size and magnitude. Some foreground with a lone tree for instance with gigantic cloud activity may work. This in it's present form looks like a shot up at the sky....beautiful clouds but not there yet. Good point, I should have realized that sooner, but I guess now i'll just have to hope I get some similar clouds in the next few days for a reshoot... or I suppose I could try and merge two pics... :) Thanks, Ben

[photogmomma]

works very well as majestic/stately providing you give the viewer some perspective to the size and magnitude. Some foreground with a lone tree for instance with gigantic cloud activity may work. This in it's present form looks like a shot up at the sky....beautiful clouds but not there yet.

I agree... Gorgeous shot, though! I love clouds!

[Bendr]

I agree... Gorgeous shot, though! I love clouds!
Thanks!

I've got a few more good clouds, but having stuff in the forground prevented me from being able to apply much of a curve...
http://bendr.smugmug.com/photos/140248031-L.jpg

After trying to increase the contrast in the clouds...

http://bendr.smugmug.com/photos/140244773-L.jpg

As you can see... it throws off the foreground...

Any thoughts?

[salazar]

To paraphrase and plagiarise from one of Andy's tutorials:

"* first, a curves adjustment. layer>new adj layer>curves

* working in adjustment layers. i can't emphasize enough how important this is. the main benefit is that you can apply a layer mask, and easily undo the effect of the layer on just parts of the image."

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=2063

Then use the layermask to mask the area you don't want affected by the curves adjustment you've made to the clouds and sky. For an explanation of and help with layer masks see the tutorial (again by Andy) below:

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=2044

Hope this makes sense to you.

[Bendr]

To paraphrase and plagiarise from one of Andy's tutorials:

"* first, a curves adjustment. layer>new adj layer>curves

* working in adjustment layers. i can't emphasize enough how important this is. the main benefit is that you can apply a layer mask, and easily undo the effect of the layer on just parts of the image."

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=2063

Then use the layermask to mask the area you don't want affected by the curves adjustment you've made to the clouds and sky. For an explanation of and help with layer masks see the tutorial (again by Andy) below:

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=2044

Hope this makes sense to you.

Thank you for the advice, I will have to give it a shot...

[Bendr]

Doh... I thought the contest closed at midnight PST...

Oh well, your advice helped alot salazar,

Here's what I was able to come up with...

http://bendr.smugmug.com/photos/140457926-L.jpg


C&C welcome

Thanks!

[Flyinggina]

Very nice work. It would qualify for the new challenge as picturesque!! Or even as irregular with the one orange tree! :D :D

[pyroPrints.com]

I love the orange tree =c) Looks good, the only thing that throws me off is the closest cloud. The dark part is a little too dark for my taste.

[Bendr]

Very nice work. It would qualify for the new challenge as picturesque!! Or even as irregular with the one orange tree! :D :D

Thanks!
And, that's exactly what I was thinking, only problem is it was shot during the previous challenge period...

though, for the new challenge I have a few ideas to try, and if none of them work out, maybe I'll try for a reshoot of this...

[Bendr]

I love the orange tree =c) Looks good, the only thing that throws me off is the closest cloud. The dark part is a little too dark for my taste.
Thanks!

when you say closest cloud you mean the one with the big spot right? about mid-way on the right side?

Thanks again!

[pyroPrints.com]

All the way to the right