All packed up for the day and just about to leave the spot. suddenly the splurge of light and we knew it's not going to stay long. Few clicks in absolute hurry setting plethora of gadgets.
Am at loss of thought and idea how to process such dark and moody frame. wish to show the light yet give equal importance to whatever surrounding present. want to learn through this image to apply it elsewhere too. Inclining for PS.
Please help. thanks.
Mate I am no expert but I would create several shots at different exposures. Over expose for the foreground. Maybe a slight underexposure for the center line in the sky above the mountains.
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Then layer them up and mask each layer. Then try a colour curve adjustment. A slight dodge on the grass in the foreground at the end to catch the eye.
If you wanted a bit more a motion blur could be applied to the water.
Like I said I am no expert so we can see what others may do.
Have fun.
Thanks Bruce Pryde. These are good leads.
Hi Vijay. I can see your dilemma, but have to ask - what image are you seeing in your mind?
You mention 'dark and moody' but indicate you want to emphasize the light.
If I were you I would go for one or the other (or both but not in the same image). I think if you work toward promoting the dark, moody image you indicate and allow the light to offer more subtle tones in the sky the image would look good.
If you try to lift the shadows I think the image will look unnatural (even more so if shadow detail is not available).
At the end of the day the image should tell a story - the importance of elements lies not in how well/equal they are seen but how they add to that story.
Whatever you do I feel the result should feel natural.
Others/you may disagree and that's OK, it's important that you follow your own path.
Good luck - I'm looking forward to seeing further results.
Hi Alan. Thanks. Am considering all the suggestions.
Alan Brown said it perfectly!
Your image needs, no MUST start with a story, the story you have in your mind. Then everything you do serves to tell that story.
If you are unclear or undecided about what that story is your image will be too.
One of the harder things most people learn about the art form of photography is that not everything, every scene, every face, mountain, or subject will work as a 2D image. It does not mean that that moment was not amazing... it just means that that moment may not work as an amazing image.
What I would recommend is that you go back to what feeling you had when you were there at the location.Then everything you do should serve that feeling.
In the end, Vijay, you should craft your image for you. You should tell the story you want to tell and not the one voted on by some forum or the number of likes.
And certainly you should not listen to some crazy old gasbag like me! :-D
Good work and please keep sharing your explorations.
Turning that back around - agree with everything Julian says (apart from him being a gasbag....).
Capturing the feeling that inspired the image should be your goal, and the result that will provide the utmost pleasure each time you view.
No matter what others say, your opinion is the only one that really matters.