Is it too dark?

[Blithe]

Took this because there was a very dark sky with a wonderful light coming from the horizon. I have lightened the foreground a little, but wanted to keep the trees dark against the sky. Could I do anything else with it?

[Ian]

Re: Is it too dark?

Yes, I think the foreground is on the dark side, but the sky and horizon are fine. Shadows and Highlights in Photoshop could be a solution or selective adjustment of the foreground. I can see why you wanted to capture this scene

Ian

[Archangel]

Re: Is it too dark?

Hi Blithe,

Is something like this can do the job?
I took completely off the bluish surrounded tree color and left the trees dark against almost a white background for more drama and contrast.
It can also be done, dark trees against a light blue background.





George

[Blithe]

Re: Is it too dark?

Thank you for your swift replies. I have a few more taken at the same time and I wanted to know the best way to go before I got 'stuck in'. I am still learning with 'shadow and highlight' and so often find it changes the skies too much in my photographs, which more often than not is my reason for taking most of my landscape shots.

Thanks George for taking the time to adjust my photograph - can you tell me which tool you used selectively?

This is another attempt just done this morning, dodging over parts of the foreground. It was a very dark afternoon about 5 ish a couple of weeks ago. I remember the mustard flowers were standing out quite stark under a very heavy sky.

[Archangel]

Re: Is it too dark?

Hi Blithe,

I use Paint Shop Pro.
What I did was this and in the following order:

1. Adjusted lightness and contrast, but not with curves, with the normal tool.
2. Adjusted the saturation (boost).
3. Took off the bluish color around the trees with the "Chromatic Aberration" tool.
4. Clarified the image with the "Clarify Tool"
5. Altered the hues slightly as in cloudy skies green is slightly lighter and slightly more intense (but that depends on the environmental lighting and is not always a rule).

George

[Blithe]

Re: Is it too dark?

Thank you George for your instruction. I use photoshop and am very much a learner ... there is so much to it. So first of all I had to look for the tools which you suggest I use, then put them into practice. I am not having consistent success at the moment but I shall keep trying and perhaps post in the appropriate forum in here. You all make it look so easy.

[Pol]

Re: Is it too dark?

Thank you for your swift replies. I have a few more taken at the same time and I wanted to know the best way to go before I got 'stuck in'. I am still learning with 'shadow and highlight' and so often find it changes the skies too much in my photographs, which more often than not is my reason for taking most of my landscape shots.

Thanks George for taking the time to adjust my photograph - can you tell me which tool you used selectively?

This is another attempt just done this morning, dodging over parts of the foreground. It was a very dark afternoon about 5 ish a couple of weeks ago. I remember the mustard flowers were standing out quite stark under a very heavy sky.

The shadow/highlight tool is a superb tool *but* it's often better to use it with layers. Layers would enable you to make changes to the field without affecting the sky.

The quick mask tool is a neat way to make selections for a new layer. Mask with the paintbrush, exit quick mask and you'll see the marching ants. Copy/paste the selection and that'll create the new layer. Make any changes to the new layer and use the transparency slider until you have what you want ... then 'flatten image' when you're done.

Masks and layers are brilliant and it's well worth getting to grips with them.

I just did a quick tweak with your picci - used the shadow/highlight tool on a layer taken from the field and set the transparency to approx 55% iirc. It took only a few seconds .............. but you can safely and happily tweak with layers ad infinitum. Results of my quick layer tweaks attached.

Pol

[Stephen]

Re: Is it too dark?

Whilst the use of layers, quick mask etc is to be commended, I have to say its all a bit too complicated for some. Essentially with this photo Blithe is concerned that the foreground is too dark and especially the yellow mustard flowers are not showing as they should.

The Shadow Highlight tool is OK in the hands of someone who knows how to use it, and if you do then I see no need for Quick Mask or even layers, though I can see why they might be used. The thing is that unless you mask the sky you are in danger of lightening that too much in an effort to lighten the foreground, therefore destrying the effect.

In my opinion one of the simplest ways is to use the rectangular Marquee tool and pull out a selection roughly below the horizon that covers the whole of the land area, then feather that selection In the case of this small image I found that 10px was enough. Then simply go into Curves or Levels and lighten to suit. As with most tasks where Photoshop is used there are always several ways to do the same thing

[Pol]

Re: Is it too dark?

Whilst the use of layers, quick mask etc is to be commended, I have to say its all a bit too complicated for some. Essentially with this photo Blithe is concerned that the foreground is too dark and especially the yellow mustard flowers are not showing as they should.

The Shadow Highlight tool is OK in the hands of someone who knows how to use it, and if you do then I see no need for Quick Mask or even layers, though I can see why they might be used. The thing is that unless you mask the sky you are in danger of lightening that too much in an effort to lighten the foreground, therefore destrying the effect.

In my opinion one of the simplest ways is to use the rectangular Marquee tool and pull out a selection roughly below the horizon that covers the whole of the land area, then feather that selection In the case of this small image I found that 10px was enough. Then simply go into Curves or Levels and lighten to suit. As with most tasks where Photoshop is used there are always several ways to do the same thing

I can't disagree with any of that and wholeheartedly agree there are several ways of achieving the same effects using PS. I just feel it's ideal if we can aim to have a better idea of what those "several ways" might be then we can pick and choose which method(s) we prefer using for ourselves.

As a matter of fact - I much prefer the way Blithe has brought out the bright yellow flowers - compared to my own quick tweaks. (so I've been playing and tweaking further .... LOL)

My personal preference is to use layers then merge and flatten as I go but I agree the layers aren't always necessary - it's just my preferred way of working and I also find it to be just as quick and easy. Heck - I even select then copy/paste eyes and catchlights and tweak with curves, blend modes etc rather than simply tweaking the original picture.

I must admit tweaking and playing with layers is one of my greatest pleasures. I love 'em. I also enjoy using selective colours - either within a layer or on a new layer (with a bit of help from the eraser tool set at various transparency levels.

It can be very interesting to see how a very small selection layer of just 5-7%transparency can make a subtle change that pleases our eye imho.

Pol

[Blithe]

Re: Is it too dark?

Thanks Pol and Steven, as with most things there's more than one way to skin a cat, I've just got to learn them. That lovely clear light that picks up the lighter tones and makes the shadows recede doesn't seem to come out well on photographs.

Your result looks very natural Pol and is not quite so heavy-handed as my approach with the dodge tool. Guess what I will be doing over the weekend!

Yes, you're definitely right Steven, so many different ways of achieving a result, that is my problem mostly, knowing the best method to use, but with help on here I am gaining knowledge, just takes a while to sink in.

[Pol]

Re: Is it too dark?

Guess what I will be doing over the weekend!

Ya ganna be anutha PS addicted geek izzn't yi .... like wot I am.

Have fun.

Pol

[lumix]

Re: Is it too dark?

Blithe just out of interest what do you think of this version. Your comments would be appreciated.

[Blithe]

Re: Is it too dark?

Thank you for taking the time Lumix, and yes that is certainly brighter. The same photograph and yet with little nuances from each who have posted. If I were being picky I would say the sky has lost the dark inky look and the mustard flowers are not as yellow as they aught to be. I realise it is difficult for anyone else to see what I saw, but do appreciate every one's time and effort in trying to help me. Incidentally, I passed there today, it is in full bloom, and is now a field of yellow. Rather flat today so didn't stop for photographs.

[lumix]

Re: Is it too dark?

You may feel this is a little better.

[Blithe]

Re: Is it too dark?

Thank you Lumix. Yet another variation, and yes that is how I would like the flowers to appear, but the sky seems too blue, more like a royal blue in that version. Yes, I know, women are never happy. I have been playing this afternoon and I think I may have come near to what it was like. In any event it is all helping me to get to know the software and to learn.