Just a Tree

JKlebPhoto · #1 (**permalink**) 04-08-2008, 11:29 AM

Magnolia Ridge Plantation, Washington Louisiana.
Shoud I crop it at the grass, or leave that little strip of green to anchor it?

PhotosbyChuck · #2 (**permalink**) 04-08-2008, 11:38 AM

I think the strip of grass is needed -- and you've cropped it very well. This shot would benefit from HDR techniques. You've got a dark tree on a very bright background. With an HDR composite, I bet you could really make this image pop.

JKlebPhoto · #3 (**permalink**) 04-08-2008, 12:01 PM

It would have been nice to HDR, but I was hand held in the early evening trying to see some of the place before it closed. Now that I've scouted it out I'll be better prepared for it next trip.

PhotosbyChuck · #4 (**permalink**) 04-08-2008, 12:08 PM

There are some limited HDR things you can do with a single JPG file. Unfortunately, the posted JPG is pretty soft -- likely due to compression, so I couldn't improve it much beyond what you posted. However, you might have luck with it if you're inclined to play with it in post.

RSStory · #5 (**permalink**) 04-08-2008, 02:21 PM

Here is a quick edit I did in Light room and PS. In lightroom I developed 2 images. The first where I brought up the exposure and provided some fill light and the other where I underexposed the image. Took them both into PS and used a layer mask to get the blended image. Then I used a highpass filter and went a little overboard on that one. I think it turned out pretty cool considering I was working with a web sized image.

Scott