Light Problems in Landscapes

I had problems with ambient light and conditions in all three of these recently taken shots, for different reasons. I won't go into the problems - although they may be obvious to some - as I don't want to influence perceptions. All c&c much appreciated.

Cheers!

#1 Neuschwanstein Schloss, Bavaria

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I love all 3 shots and am envious of your shooting locations!

Wow! I would hang all 3 in my house any day! Beautiful! And like Mepher, I am envious of your shooting locations as well!

Not bad for Heavy processing, the first seems as though the camera focused on the right foreground.
The second looks to me the twig with the green leaves camera left foreground had the better of the focal points.

Dragouls Fortress, is thick and menacing as it should be and perfect as a B&W!
Mabel a ting of blood red in the sky, then again I don't know if that would add or distract.
Drac's pad I like.

Nice locations ...
If you re process with curves and masking ... they will sing ...

Thank you Mepher and Mommabird.

THM, you're spot on in most of what you say, apart from the "heavy processing" bit. #3 was heavily processed, simply because it was taken on such a perfect day - clear, blue skies, lush, green vegitation, etc. - that it just didn't look right for Dracula's castle. I spent ages on that one.

#1 was a problem because of the low cloud base. There are big rock faces and snow-capped mountains right behind it, but can't see a thing. The main problem is that everything closer (to the camera) was much cleared, such as the trees you mention near, right, which almost made them look over-saturated, (I was wondering if somebody would suggest that). The focus was not on these but it does appear to be due to their clarity with less fog. Apart from some minor lightening of shadows and level adjustment, virtually nothing has been done to this... as I couldn't think how I could improve it. And I seriously think it needs some processing...

#3 was a problem because of all the blue - sky, lake and snow - which made it all look a bit weird, so much so that I put a warming filter on it and reduced the blue a bit. In doing so, it has lost it's 'icy-cold' look but I think it's better... but not sure There was also a problem with the snow-covered trees, especially the ones in shadow, looking as if they had been over-sharpened, which they weren't; nothing was sharpened. It was taken in the early afternoon, and would almost certainly have looked better during 'golden hour' but never had time to hang around, unfortunately. I could also have done with a tripod!

The 'blood red sky' is an idea I'll look at, but I still think it needs something... Appreciate the comments THM, thanks.

EL_PIC, thanks for the comments but, please excuse my ignorance here, I'm not really sure what you mean. Can you elaborate a bit please?

Great captures, Jim with that reflection being my favourite.

corkneyfonz wrote in post #11175300
Great captures, Jim with that reflection being my favourite.

Thanks mate!

#2 is incredible! My only critique would be to try to remove the twig in the lower left. Otherwise, it is a beautiful image!

Nice shots Jim. You keep getting better every post.

all 3 are wonderful, are you using a graduated nd filter?

kyle_4375 wrote in post #11176046
#2 is incredible! My only critique would be to try to remove the twig in the lower left. Otherwise, it is a beautiful image!

Good shout mate, and I tried it but... Let's say my pp skill are somewhat 'lacking' and I convinced myself that it was okay, after all... I agree though and may have another go, thanks.

gonzogolf wrote in post #11176073
Nice shots Jim. You keep getting better every post.

Thanks Gonzo, appreciate it. However, any progress I've made is largely down to people not a million miles from here (POTN)!

shkspr wrote in post #11176207
all 3 are wonderful, are you using a graduated nd filter?

Thank you shkspr, no filters used though. I've got this kind of 'hang-up' against using any gizmos, which I know is wrong. I'll really need to drop the Ludite attitude!

#2 really sticks out to me. The color saturation and sharpness is stunning. THe other two are OK, but the #2 is the winner.

There's a bit of a halo around all of the edges - usually a sign you've pushed something too hard in post, number one especially. There is little definition or contrast in the mid-ground and it's looking a bit flat - the picture looks well exposed enough, and I'd focus on that area over bringing up the presence / clarity. Mind sharing the unedited version?

Number 2 could have benefited from a CPL, and removal of the twigs on the bottom left in either post or taking a few steps forward, but otherwise good capture.

Thank you KurtGoss.

circusofcrows wrote in post #11176611
There's a bit of a halo around all of the edges - usually a sign you've pushed something too hard in post, number one especially. There is little definition or contrast in the mid-ground and it's looking a bit flat - the picture looks well exposed enough, and I'd focus on that area over bringing up the presence / clarity. Mind sharing the unedited version?

Number 2 could have benefited from a CPL, and removal of the twigs on the bottom left in either post or taking a few steps forward, but otherwise good capture.

Yup, I'm with you on the halo - just above the trees - but not sure how that occurred as not a lot of pp happened, as you'll see below. Levels, contrast (slight) a bit of shadow/highlight... can't think of much else I did, except clone out a few twigs in the upper corner.. Don't see any halos in 2 or 3 though?

#2 Virtually no editing on it, but what's a CPL? Excuse my ignorance Agree about the twigs, as kyle_4375 said. I'll have a go at making them vanish

Appreciate the comments mate.

Straight conversion from RAW to jpeg.

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