Philip 's Photoblog
Sugar Loaf Mountain
Posted by Philip (Cowbridge, United Kingdom) on 5 November 2009 in Landscape & Rural and Portfolio.
Lovely little valley on the left of the walk (Jarrod Brecon Beacons Short Walks Nbr 17) to Sugar Loaf Mountain.
For such a great view I had a lot of trouble processing for this post. I was not satisfied with the RAW image produced as it did not replicate the memory I had of the view. The RAW had a dull 'sheen', like a mist was hanging over the valley, and the associated histogram was to far to the left. In the end, I applied a Shadow/Highlight setting but I cannot get any vibrancy in the photo without producing unnatural results (espically the trees).
What does everyone think? Any tips or hints for improving the photo?
Any tips or constructive criticism are welcome.
I appreciate all your comments, thank you so much. I do read all the comments and will try to answer any questions you have.
MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany
Really lovely valley! Very pleasing sight!
It looks indeed a bit like a hazy day, perhaps the sun was covered by clouds at that moment. I think you could brighten up the valley part and increase contrast a bit. You could also try to release the contours of the clouds a bit and add more sharpness to the valley part.
5 Nov 2009 10:26am
@MadScientist: It was hazy. This part of the walk was very cloudy. When we got to the Sugar Loaf Mountain Peak it was sunny. I'll try your suggestions but the trees and the bracken go mad when you increase the contrast.
@LESLIE: Thanks. It looked idilic from our vantage point.
@Shahryar: Thanks.
Anthony Morgan Lambert from Bielefeld, Germany
difficult with such a hazy light,a tad more contrast maybe,I like the shot the way it is though !!
5 Nov 2009 6:28pm
@Anthony Morgan Lambert: Thanks for advice. I had to tone down the contrast as it made the trees a bit mad.
Kiwisa from North Shore, New Zealand
Lovely landscape - I really like it. Have you tried increasing the saturation and hue a little, which would lift the colours a bit. Isn't it frustrating when the camera does not produce what the eye remembers.
5 Nov 2009 10:55pm
@Kiwisa: Thanks for your comments and suggestions. Yes it is frustrating. Especially when I was astonished how beautiful the valley was. I'll try your suggestions. My main problem is the trees, they are of various autumnal colours that do not react very well to tonal changes in Photoshop. They just look artifical if you push the processing too much.
Nikon D90
1/15 second
F/22.0
ISO 200
70 mm