HDR details and polished image

[lensfreak]

Hi

Please have a look at this image.


http://500px.com/photo/4931196

I am trying to work out how the creator brought out the detail in the lake bed with all the rocks and deadwood. On his website he has a tutorial comparing original to final work and the original is so dark in the water that I am amazed how the extra detail was processed. Also, I suppose this next question may apply to many other photos. How do I get the clean polished look with images. My photos are really flat and can't seem to make them 'pop'

Is it about increasing contrast, running through 3rd party plugins?


Den

[tewlman]

my guess is that a polarizing filter was used to get some depth in the water. increasing contrast can help be be careful not to go crazy with it. good luck

[lensfreak]

thanks

[Todd Lambert]

It's an HDR image. According to the info: 3exp HDR @ 2EV spacing; processed in Photomatix and Photoshop CS4;

No filters needed, really.

[pickupman92]

depending on how clear the water was when she took the shot, it's possible a polarized filter wasn't used.

[lensfreak]

no filter was used. If you goto the photogs webnsite , he has a tutorial free for download and in the tutorial he shows clearly the before and after version of that exact photo.

[whoty]

I am 99% sure a polarizing filter was used. At that angle,it's almost impossible for the water not to have any reflection.