Too Dark? Too Bright?

[OpenC]

I think it's actually a bit of both. I really like this, and was pleased with how it came out, but it's undeniably burned out (on the path) and I'm not sure if the surrounding woods are just too dark.

Does it work, or is it just too contrasty..?


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/148/415782636_4ee3adea35_o.jpg

[tfitz]

OpenC, looks good to me (haha, that rhymes)

But no, seriously, the highlights look OK, they might br blown out, but only on a small portion in the center of the sunlight (you will have to check the histogram for that).

As far as the shadows, if that is the effect you are going for, than so be it. A shot like this is somewhat an exception because the intent (or at least seems to be) is to get that "hidden in the trees" kind of perspective. Furthermore, you may be able to recover some of the shadows (if you do actually want to get some back) by using either curves or levels.

Digital cameras can only capture about 6-7 stops of dynamic range. In that shot there is probably 10 or 11, so it's also a little unrealistic to expect to be able to capture the entire range. This is true for any shot with shadows and sunlight.

So, in short, if you like the shot, keep it. I like it allot, it might even be better with just a 1 or 2 stops more of shadows recovered. Give it a try and post the results.

[joshandlauri]

Looks good to me, leads you into the picture.

[mace0002]

I love contrast...this works for me. It makes you wonder what scary or fantastic thing is beyond...nice shot.

[OpenC]

Cheers for the comments :)

I've been back to the RAW file but sadly the highlights were blown from the moment I took it, so the detail in the shadow isn't really recoverable without blowing the centre ever more and losing the delicate rays of light which are what really appeal about the shot in the first place (to me, anyway). I suppose I'll just have to live with it as it is :)

[Mr B Snappy]

Unless of course you try blending multiple RAW conversions.

[kevie]

Theres nothing wrong with having blown highlights.....especially if you like it.....thats all that matters. I like it too btw.

[lhoney2]

I think it would be better exposed by one more stop. That would have brought a little more info in for the trees.

[hannaxt]

I personally like it.
Makes me want to walk through and see what lies ahead. good mystery?

No need to see more of the trees, we know it's trees, and with the focal point where the beams fall leads the eye rather well.

[Cocha]

I think it's a very effective photo. I didn't notice the blown highlight until I read your comment. If you don't like it, you might try cloning in some detail from a nearby area that isn't blown. If you're careful, it can work.

[Beau Hudspeth]

I think that it is a cool shot - rather great, actually.

[Village_Idiot]

It works well. It may technically have too much contrast and blown out sections with severely under exposed portions, but it gives you this "This is your last chance to turn around" feeling. This is a photo I'd purchase to hang on my wall, and I guess at the end of the day, that's all that matters, right?

[*Mike*]

It does have some issues as you pointed out - areas that are crushed or blown out. But it also adds to the mood. The image has tension, like something is about to happen.

[OpenC]

Thank you all for the comments (and particularly the compliments, which are always good to receive).

I think I was worried that the picture was only effective for me because I was there when it was taken (obviously): I thought it might just be a little too abstract for anyone who hadn't been there that morning. You've all gone some way to easing that worry, so it's now getting printed @ 30"x20" and stuck on my wall.

As for the suggestions (which were all good, and much appreciated):

I tried cloning out the blown highlights, but the more I looked at it the more the blown highlight suited the intense rays of light coming through the trees. It looked very strange without bright light at the bottom of the bright lights (if you see what I mean).

I also tried remastering the RAW and recovering some detail from the trees, but the image got a bit too busy with all the branches at the sides.

Blending multiple RAW images sounded too hard, so I didn't try >_< In any case, though, even the original image had the burned out sections so there wasn't a whole lot I could do to repair it. If anyone has the capability to process Canon .cs2 RAW files, you're more than welcome to have a go at it, though :)

[Village_Idiot]

Thank you all for the comments (and particularly the compliments, which are always good to receive).

I think I was worried that the picture was only effective for me because I was there when it was taken (obviously): I thought it might just be a little too abstract for anyone who hadn't been there that morning. You've all gone some way to easing that worry, so it's now getting printed @ 30"x20" and stuck on my wall.

As for the suggestions (which were all good, and much appreciated):

I tried cloning out the blown highlights, but the more I looked at it the more the blown highlight suited the intense rays of light coming through the trees. It looked very strange without bright light at the bottom of the bright lights (if you see what I mean).

I also tried remastering the RAW and recovering some detail from the trees, but the image got a bit too busy with all the branches at the sides.

Blending multiple RAW images sounded too hard, so I didn't try >_< In any case, though, even the original image had the burned out sections so there wasn't a whole lot I could do to repair it. If anyone has the capability to process Canon .cs2 RAW files, you're more than welcome to have a go at it, though :)

If you're using CS2, there's an option to make an HDR photo from multiple exposure that would have taken all the parts of the picture and put them together so everything would have been viewable. You have to take multiple exposure to do this though. It gives a neat effect, but it can get a bit over done sometimes. It's kind of like the selective coloring effects. They look good in the right situation and in others, not so much...

[TamEric]

i really like it

[jej826]

I like it the way it is.Good job.

[hatmandue]

looks like something out of a Stephen King novel. Scary, but makes you wonder what's lurking in the shadows.

[kmorgan]

Very nice, love the mood.

Kevin