Mornings in the forest

[shaman]

Here are 2 scenes I captured in a Central Kentucky Forest. One day it rained all day... the next morning it was foggy but the sun began to burn through...
http://shaman.smugmug.com/photos/15715990-M.jpg
http://shaman.smugmug.com/photos/17157916-M.jpg

[Khaos]

I like the first one. Could we get a bigger view?

[Cosmic]

I really like the first one best as well. The fog in the background trees really add depth to this shot. Nice. :thumb

~Heidi~

[shaman]

I like the first one. Could we get a bigger view? Here is a larger one... I'm wondering whether using a graduated ND would have worked on the top of the image, keeping the fog from blowing out the details in the branches.
What do you think?:dunno

http://shaman.smugmug.com/photos/15715990-L-1.jpg

[wxwax]

Very nice. I reckon you're right about the ND filter. If you're on a tripod, you can use a Photoshop cheat. Make one exposure for the sky, one for the ground, then combine the two in PS.

[Michiel de Brieder]

Nice shots! I like the foggy look of the first one and the excellent lighting on the second :clap Way to go!

Say, is that Hagrid in your Avatar? Or are you a 'look alike' :D
Thanks for sharing!

[Dixie]

Here is a larger one... I'm wondering whether using a graduated ND would have worked on the top of the image, keeping the fog from blowing out the details in the branches.
What do you think?:dunno
In my experience with graduated ND filters is that you would darken the trees too much which run all the way to the top of the frame. The photoshot cheat may work to some degree, but again the problem will be the trees going all the way through the top of the frame.

My recommendation in this case would be to expose for the hazy cliff face in the background and then use Photoshop CS's Shadow/Highlight tool to bring out the detail in the foreground.

Below is an example of what I mean.

[wxwax]

:thumb Good tip, Dixie.

[Dixie]

:thumb Good tip, Dixie.
Thanks, Sid. That was a down and dirty example. In real life I would have worked on some more areas in a piece I was preparing for show - such as the vehicles on the bottom and the whited out area in the trees along the right edge close to the bottom.

I know some people think that using Photoshop is cheating, but I couldn't disagree more. In the digital age people tend to forget that renowned photographers from the film age played around with chemical compositions (Ansel Adams was famous for this) to control contrast, etc. Additionally, when did the film print industry stop using color correction filters, burning and dodging, etc? I even know of a technique to tilt the paper holder and stopping down the lens on the enlarger to correct parallex problems with buildings, etc.

Digitally, we do the same things only our tools are different. ...and don't let anyone ever kid you that Ansel Adams didn't do a lot of burning and dodging. :D

[shaman]

Thanks Dixie,
I think I'll give the Shadow/Highlight tool a try on it this evening. Like the good witch said, I may have had the power all along.
In my experience with graduated ND filters is that you would darken the trees to much which run all the way to the top of the frame. The photoshot cheat may work to some degree, but again the problem will be the trees going all the way through the top of the frame.

My recommendation in this case would be to expose for the hazy cliff face in the background and then use Photoshop CS's Shadow/Highlight tool to bring out the detail in the foreground.

Below is an example of what I mean.

[shaman]

Hagrid & I belong to a very exclusive club... The UGLIES!


shaman
Nice shots! I like the foggy look of the first one and the excellent lighting on the second :clap Way to go!

Say, is that Hagrid in your Avatar? Or are you a 'look alike' :D
Thanks for sharing!

[Harryb]

Here are 2 scenes I captured in a Central Kentucky Forest. One day it rained all day... the next morning it was foggy but the sun began to burn through...


Nice shots. I like the colors in the second shot. :thumb

[Dixie]

Thanks Dixie,
I think I'll give the Shadow/Highlight tool a try on it this evening. Like the good witch said, I may have had the power all along.I worked a little with the image you posted, but it was a no go. Since the exposure was for the foreground there was just too much washed out in the background with too much detail lost. Unless you have other exposures which are exposed for the lighter areas (the background in this case) you may not be able to do too much with it.

We shoot in nature and unlike studio shots where every aspect of the exposure can be controlled, we have to make do with what we are given. There are things which we can do to better our chances of getting a good or great shot, but we are limited. I haven't seen a reflector yet that could cast light into shadowed areas on a mountain range taken from long range or a barndoor or a snoot on the sun to control exactly which areas in our landscapes receive light. Sometimes, despite our best efforts to the contrary, we are only left with Photoshop to savage that great shot. It is a tool so use it wisely. :wink

Everytime I am faced with a problem with lighting in nature which I can't overcome with filters, exposure settings, shooting angle, etc., I immediately start trying to figure how I can expose the shot so I can achieve what I want using Photoshop. I look at Photoshop as another piece of equipment in my equipment bag.

I genuinely feel that if one thinks using Photoshop is "cheating" then he/she is robbing themself of many unique photo opportunities. ...or to analogize it - it's like going out to a brawl with one arm tied behind your back. :beatwax ...and I had rather go armed to the teeth. :gun2

[shaman]

Your thoughts are very helpful and show a wisdom that comes with a great deal of experience. My passion is nature, be it photography or just proceeding along this journey learning as much as I can about the flora and fauna I encounter on my hikes.
When I get home this evening I'll look through my RAW files, I believe I was bracketing those shots I took in the mist... I may have a couple that were stepped down a stop or two more.
Your views on Photoshop as a tool to be used wisely really hits home. I've only been shooting seriously now for 2 1/2 months, but I find myself becoming immersed quite deeply. Some of my mundane shots, taken on an overcast day, I've tried to rework in Photoshop. You can't just dump effects (I call it 'applying makeup') onto a dull shot and expect much... there is no 'soul' to that image.
I've found on days like that I'll get deep into the woods and practce some waterfall shots or damp foliage.
I really do appreciate your advice and thoughts. Thank you.

shaman

I worked a little with the image you posted, but it was a no go. Since the exposure was for the foreground there was just too much washed out in the background with too much detail lost. Unless you have other exposures which are exposed for the lighter areas (the background in this case) you may not be able to do too much with it.

We shoot in nature and unlike studio shots where every aspect of the exposure can be controlled, we have to make do with what we are given. There are things which we can do to better our chances of getting a good or great shot, but we are limited. I haven't seen a reflector yet that could cast light into shadowed areas on a mountain range taken from long range or a barndoor or a snoot on the sun to control exactly which areas in our landscapes receive light. Sometimes, despite our best efforts to the contrary, we are only left with Photoshop to savage that great shot. It is a tool so use it wisely. :wink

Everytime I am faced with a problem with lighting in nature which I can't overcome with filters, exposure settings, shooting angle, etc., I immediately start trying to figure how I can expose the shot so I can achieve what I want using Photoshop. I look at Photoshop as another piece of equipment in my equipment bag.

[Michiel de Brieder]

Hagrid & I belong to a very exclusive club... The UGLIES!


shaman It's called the cool guys club :D Don't tell me you also share his height!!
On a sidenote, I think that the actor that plays Hagrid is really a cool guy and I admire him a lot! So if you look like 'em that's cool :rofl try to get a picture with the both of you :wink
Cheers Shaman!

[Dixie]

Your thoughts are very helpful and show a wisdom that comes with a great deal of experience. My passion is nature, be it photography or just proceeding along this journey learning as much as I can about the flora and fauna I encounter on my hikes.
When I get home this evening I'll look through my RAW files, I believe I was bracketing those shots I took in the mist... I may have a couple that were stepped down a stop or two more.
Your views on Photoshop as a tool to be used wisely really hits home. I've only been shooting seriously now for 2 1/2 months, but I find myself becoming immersed quite deeply. Some of my mundane shots, taken on an overcast day, I've tried to rework in Photoshop. You can't just dump effects (I call it 'applying makeup') onto a dull shot and expect much... there is no 'soul' to that image.
I've found on days like that I'll get deep into the woods and practce some waterfall shots or damp foliage.
I really do appreciate your advice and thoughts. Thank you.

shaman
You are correct. Contary to popular belief, Photoshop will not make a bad shot good. However, with proper planning, good camera techniques, applying compositional rules, and knowing how light works, it does become a powerful tool.

When all else is said and done, it comes down to the light. When one gets down to the root of photography, they find that after all a photographer is nothing more than a purveyor of light. Learning how to use and manipulate that light is the trick.

Sorry guys. Some how I got off on a philosophical binge this morning.

[wxwax]

Don't apologize, this is a great thread.

[shaman]

LIGHT is correct, you eventually learn to exploit it whatever the situation, I used to find myself getting bummed out when the day didn't turn out to have the glorious light shows I'd hoped for. Learning what you can accomplish in any light situation is the key to creating an image with a soul. Even if it means hiking 3 miles in the rain with sandwich bags wrapped around your camera.:dunno
You are correct. Contary to popular belief, Photoshop will not make a bad shot good. However, with proper planning, good camera techniques, applying compositional rules, and knowing how light works, it does become a powerful tool.

When all else is said and done, it comes down to the light. When one gets down to the root of photography, they find that after all a photographer is nothing more than a purveyor of light. Learning how to use and manipulate that light is the trick.

Sorry guys. Some how I got off on a philosophical binge this morning.

[Dixie]

Don't apologize, this is a great thread.
Thanks, Sid, that makes me feel better. Sometimes I feel as if I get on a soapbox when it comes to photography and Photoshop.

[Dixie]

LIGHT is correct, you eventually learn to exploit it whatever the situation, I used to find myself getting bummed out when the day didn't turn out to have the glorious light shows I'd hoped for. Learning what you can accomplish in any light situation is the key to creating an image with a soul. Even if it means hiking 3 miles in the rain with sandwich bags wrapped around your camera.:dunnoBeen there, done that. I'm sitting here at the computer with two thin small trash bags in my back pocket which I have with me at all times to protect the equipment for when I get caught out in a shower. Where I go so goeth my camera and trash bags. :):

For protection of the photographer, I highly recommend Frogg Toggs (being a hiker, you are probably familiar with them).

http://www.froggtoggs.com/
The coat and pants will compress down to almost nothing and will fit just about anywhere for carrying into the field. They are part of my equipment list and go with me and my equipment belt into the wilds.