smithcon
4th of May 2005 (Wed), 03:00
I captured this picture after a recent storm in Portland, OR. It is my first-ever sunset picture (okay, one of my first-ever artistic picture attempts, actually).
This picture was taken in JPEG mode with a 20D w/70-200 lens and post-processed using PSE3.0 levels -- I slid both sides of the levels histogram in to the point where the "hillsides" started climbing. I was shocked at the DR of the 20D and that it left a little room on both sides of the histogram with the wide range of light I perceived when I shot it (I haven't yet learned how to call up the 20D built-in histogram, but I plan to use it frequently when I get more comforatable with it).
I am not crazy about the composition -- I was trying to capture the sun ray, the highlighted "target" cloud, the sunset burn-effect behind the hills, etc. I also attempted to balance the dark hills with the dark layer of clouds on top. If any of you want to play with crops I'd be interested in knowing what you think looks best.
I'd also like to liven up the color of the exposed sky a bit, with a slightly deeper, but still natural looking blue. My PSE skills are not that advanced, but I plan to try a few things. It's a bit challenging to find the right tone because of the gray clouds.
My favorite element in the picture is the cloud shadow that seems to be cast on the clouds above in the lower center of the picture -- I don't recall seeing anything like that before.
Anyway, let me know what you think. Constructive criticism welcome!
-Greg
This picture was taken in JPEG mode with a 20D w/70-200 lens and post-processed using PSE3.0 levels -- I slid both sides of the levels histogram in to the point where the "hillsides" started climbing. I was shocked at the DR of the 20D and that it left a little room on both sides of the histogram with the wide range of light I perceived when I shot it (I haven't yet learned how to call up the 20D built-in histogram, but I plan to use it frequently when I get more comforatable with it).
I am not crazy about the composition -- I was trying to capture the sun ray, the highlighted "target" cloud, the sunset burn-effect behind the hills, etc. I also attempted to balance the dark hills with the dark layer of clouds on top. If any of you want to play with crops I'd be interested in knowing what you think looks best.
I'd also like to liven up the color of the exposed sky a bit, with a slightly deeper, but still natural looking blue. My PSE skills are not that advanced, but I plan to try a few things. It's a bit challenging to find the right tone because of the gray clouds.
My favorite element in the picture is the cloud shadow that seems to be cast on the clouds above in the lower center of the picture -- I don't recall seeing anything like that before.
Anyway, let me know what you think. Constructive criticism welcome!
-Greg