I occasionally ask photographers here at Fstoppers for advice on taking a shot at a particular location that I'm planning on capturing. Almost always I get a response that helps me learn and prepare for the experience. So here's a shout-out of thanks to Fstopper members who have helped me and undoubtably others - Thank You!
Upper Antelope Canyon is just one of those locations I had wanted to try my camera at capturing, and it certainly is challenging, even more so now that they don't offer the photographer tour which allowed for tripods. One of the tips I received was to "Prepare for extreme dynamic ranges and try to preserve your highlights." A couple more tips were to be prepared for the crowds and to work quickly as you must stay with your group and have limited time and it'd be "darker than expected". I chose to take the lower megapixel Z6ii and having it set to Bracket Exposure and to Continuous High so all the frames would be captured as fast as posible hoping to minimize camera blur for post processing.
Well as it turns out the advice was spot on. This is a very challenging experience, at least for me with a "real camera". I say this as my wife with her phone got spectacular instant images - phone cameras have come a long way!
This is one of the images I took. As it turns out it is a single image, as I like it better than my edits of the 2 or 3 bracketed images merged into HDR came out. (Something else to learn more about.)
Frank, excellent as far as the highlight and the crux of your image except for a little bleed over the rim on the right. Otherwise near perfect main image now for that HDR or the shadow part of your image. I can already see some detail in these area so I presume either here or one of your other bracketed images you be able to coax of more, as let’s say part two, blacks to mid tones. Then blend the best of the two in to one image.
Thanks Paul!
I am contending with a lot of noise as I bring up those shadowy parts, and perhaps one of the reasons I didn't prefer those blended images I tried. I also may not have set the exposure steps far enough apart to get the range I should have. But I have read what you wrote, many times to dissect it, I'm thinking I'll continue to work at it. Perhaps another editing program would help, although I'm personally opposed to the subscription model due to my own stubbornness and sometimes frugal shortsightedness.
Image was edited with Capture One 23.
Frank, in time what is said about Rome? Look at Ansel Adams famous "Moonrise over Hernandez" and the variations of prints he produce over sky tones ranged from middle gray in his earliest prints to almost jet black in his last. I am just suggesting in time work with what you have and in the same know what you've done is your best is fine.
I wish I could offer more advise but am know familiar with Capture One 23. I had a friend recommend it as it was his suggested software for workshop attendees. But by the time I got around to looking into it the too have gone to subscription base. Such is life on the fringe of technology.
Get familiar with it's curve tool work with all RGB channels before working globally. PM me if I can assist more.
Hi Frank. Know what stops me giving it a 4? Well, on the very black fStoppers background I dont know where your pic starts and finishes. A 1 pixel border line would solve this. Maybe your blacks are too black?
Thanks Pedro for your comment. I'll keep this in mind as I move forward.
On my monitor, the image is definitely darker than the fstoppers background. But I had the same issue in the past rating a contest image as too dark only to realize later that my monitor wasn't calibrated correctly. The border is a great idea when the image is close to the background color.