I am having problems with sun and shadows in this picture.

[Joe M]

This photo was taken in Gettysburg. I love the fences. In this photo, when I shot it it was great. When I got home, this is what I found. I have Corel X2. The second photo is with some work. I know you all do great work so I am asking for your help. How can I make it better between the sun and shadows?
Thank you,
Joe M

[rw2]

You should change you settings to allow for image editing. People could show what could be done with the picture. I don't have Corel X2. With Photoshop elements I would use the shadows and highlights tool and then use a new layer with the blending mode changed to overlay and fill with 50% grey. Using this layer to dodge and burn. The sky you have is blown out and can not be made darker .

[Joe M]

rW2 how can I change my settings to allow for image editing.
JoeM

[Mr. Bill]

go to User CP --> then Edit Profile --> scroll down to additional information and check "yes" for image edit and repost permission.

[Joe M]

I found it. I would enjoy seeing what you can do with this photo.
Joe M

[rw2]

Here is a quick try using the method I talked about in above post.

[KenVP]

Seems the sky is well blown out.......... is this able to be fixed????

[gooble]

The best solution is to take this near sunset or sunrise depending on which way it's facing.

Cameras aren't capable of capturing all the range of light in this image. You can brighten things up in post but it will not ever look very good and at least not as good if you'd taken it in better light.

[joedlh]

Cameras aren't capable of capturing all the range of light in this image. You can brighten things up in post but it will not ever look very good and at least not as good if you'd taken it in better light.

Seconded.

[tonydee]

The best solution is to take this near sunset or sunrise depending on which way it's facing.

Cameras aren't capable of capturing all the range of light in this image. You can brighten things up in post but it will not ever look very good and at least not as good if you'd taken it in better light.

All good advice. Still, if you're on holiday and see something like this you really, really want to capture but you can't wait around for the right light, then you can use High Dynamic Range photographic techniques and exposure bracketing. There may not be any inbuilt support in the OP's compact camera, but as M mode was used it's not a stretch to try...

Basically, one image can't capture the bright sky and dark shadows, so take a picture like you did where neither's done too well, then a couple more where each is exposed properly, varying only the shutter speed (not aperture as that affects focus too). Ideally you'd do all this on a tripod, but if you have to do it by hand then fair enough, just try to minimise camera movement between shots.

Later, you can use software to get the detail for each area of the photo out of the shot that captured it best. If your current software doesn't support it, there are free (e.g. GIMP, qtpfsgui) and commercial offerings (Photoshop, Photomatrix...).

Cheers, Tony

[tonydee]

BTW / alternative attempt to get it good enough for a non-photographic blog or something. I think this will be easier/quicker and more consistent than the grey control layer, even if it's a lot cruder: a curves adjustment to boost the shadows, the colour sample tool to pick up the blue hue from top left, then a bucket fill. It probably needs a rotation, but that's a separate issue.

371212

[Joe M]

I thank you all for your help. We will be going there again in a few days. With the information you all sent I will try and do it again.
I thank you for help.
Joe M