Landscape workflow

[mdaddyrabbit]

Post your landscape editing workflows.

[tonylong]

Hmm...

First, have a scene that I want to capture, when the "light is right" for that scene, or at least is as good as it's gonna get!

Then, I might set up my tripod, which is good and sturdy both for camera/lens weight and for breezes.

I'd decide on a "range" of focal length, either Ultra Wide-wide or Wide-"normal"/slight telephoto, or longer telephoto, then grab a lens and mount it...

I'll often at that point do a Manual meter/exposure.

Put the camera/lens on the tripod and attach a cable release.

I'll typically shoot a set, with a range of exposure values, not necessarily with HDR in mind, more often to "cover my bases" so that I can pick and choose. I shoot Raw so I have more latitude in processing.

Depending on the scene, I have fairly often then switched to another lens to get a different "field of view".

[Frank_Hollahan]

I keep my processing as simple as possible, depending on the exposure. I never use tone mapping or HDR software nor do I use multiple exposures to build a composite.

I first start with the best exposure possible on location by waiting for the desired light and a variety of filters, NDG, ND, CPL.

I shoot in RAW format and prefer to maintain original algorithms from camera to converter by using DPP as my converter of choice. Photoshop will only be used for tweaking.

A number of copies will be made from the original file and renamed as sky, water, foreground rock...etc. Adjustments will be made accordingly to each file in DPP. For example, if sky is my file name, I will concentrate only on the sky while making the adjustments in DPP. Once work is completed on all files I will bring them into photoshop for any last minute tweaking. A layer mask will be used to blend each file together one by one to build an original composite.

Sharpening is achieved in photoshop using an edge mask and several filters.

[mdaddyrabbit]

Originally Posted by Frank_Hollahan

I keep my processing as simple as possible, depending on the exposure. I never use tone mapping or HDR software nor do I use multiple exposures to build a composite.

I first start with the best exposure possible on location by waiting for the desired light and a variety of filters, NDG, ND, CPL.

I shoot in RAW format and prefer to maintain original algorithms from camera to converter by using DPP as my converter of choice. Photoshop will only be used for tweaking.

A number of copies will be made from the original file and renamed as sky, water, foreground rock...etc. Adjustments will be made accordingly to each file in DPP. For example, if sky is my file name, I will concentrate only on the sky while making the adjustments in DPP. Once work is completed on all files I will bring them into photoshop for any last minute tweaking. A layer mask will be used to blend each file together one by one to build an original composite.

Sharpening is achieved in photoshop using an edge mask and several filters.

What is your technique for A layer mask used to blend each file together one by one and build an original composite?

[René Damkot]

Tutorial: http://www.naturescapes.net/072006/rh0706_1.htm
Video: http://www.thelightsrightstudio.com/...dExposures.mov

[tzalman]

I never use tone mapping....
A number of copies will be made from the original file and renamed as sky, water, foreground rock...etc. Adjustments will be made accordingly to each file in DPP..... Once work is completed on all files I will bring them into photoshop for any last minute tweaking. A layer mask will be used to blend each file together one by one to build an original composite.

That's not tone mapping? Sure sounds like it to me.