DRI plugin from Fred Miranda (sunset photo)

[tommykjensen]

I just bought this plugin and am experimenting with it.

Some time ago I shot a sunset at a lake and on the shore there was a swan that was underexposed due to the sun. I shot it in raw so here is what I have done.

1. Converted to TIFF and used +2 in exposure compensation to bring out the swan (maybe that was too much).
2. Run it through NeatImage using default parameters to reduce noise.
3. In PS CS I started the plugin and used the original as the "underexposed" image and the newly converted as the overexposed image.

What do You think about the result? Could I do anything different?

Here is the original just converted to jpg and resized:
http://photo.klein-jensen.dk/photo.php?n=sunset_original.jpg

This is the end result - be gentle :wink:
http://photo.klein-jensen.dk/photo.php?n=sunset_processed.jpg


I do have some thoughts about the endresult but I would like to hear other opinions first.

[evilenglishman]

i prefer the colours/contrast/tone of the original.

i think you should just duplicate the forground of the new image and put it on top of the original image.

I'm not sure what the plug in has actually done here???

This can be done without any plugins.
Just open your original as is, save it as a tiff then open the same image again in the raw converter and over expose it so the swan looks good.

do a select all/copy/paste to put the over exposed image on top of your original and then delete everything off that top layer except the sawn and foreground.
I think this would give you a better result and wouldn't have cost you anything.

[tommykjensen]

I agree that the new photo lost some of the colors and it lost some details in the branches in the foreground.

Meanwhile I tried something different.

Instead of +2 in exposure during conversion from raw I applied 50% shadows/highlights and then ran it through the plugin again.

Here is that result
http://photo.klein-jensen.dk/photo.php?n=sunset_processed2.jpg

The plugin is supposed to increase dynamic range.

[evilenglishman]

here is an example of what i just said. These images were made with just your original image.
http://www.electricvenus.com/sunset1.jpg

taking it further i used the shadow/highlight adjustment tool in PS to darken the sky a touch.
http://www.electricvenus.com/sunset2.jpg

[tommykjensen]

Ok a third attempt.

For this I used the technique "The Layer Mask" described here: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/digital-blending.shtml

http://photo.klein-jensen.dk/photo.php?n=sunset_processed3.jpg