Yosemite National Park - Mirror Lake

Oxygen

Oxygen

Oxygen

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3526059633_c0cb091b2d_o.jpg


This is the first of many potential HDR shots that I took on my recent trip to the states.
I had a full bag of cokin ND + Grad filters at my disposal but lost the 77mm filter ring first day so it was either hold them in place or start shooting multiple exposures...

Fast forward to editing them now and I need your opinion please, yes I'd consider it a great piece of digital art but have I gone too far with this shot of Mirror Lake?

Comment and views required please
Nathan
 
Awesome shot, but it is quite busy! Maybe ditch the mirror effect if you put it in your self?
 
Been waiting for these since you mentioned them in the plague thread :p ...

A stunning scene, but it's a very busy shot - not really sure where you want us to be looking.

Any chance of seeing the middle exposure of the AEB for a comparison?
 
Hate to say it but the PP is ghastly IMO. Sorry, but you did ask :p

Any chance of a reasonably sized middle exposure to have a play with? Would be fun to see how far I can get with the processing without resorting to HDR.
 
The HDR is terrible. I'll try to fork out my mirror lake photos (an ND grad is vital>)

EDIT:
Can only link to this small version:
3285358.jpg
 
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tbh I didn't look at the "mirror lake" title, and I think it makes it too busy and he'd put it in him self?
D.P.'s one is a bit busy for my liking, perhaps dulling down the water bit would make the rest stand out more; more of a clear line between the two.
I've never been there or seen a picture of it, so how am I meant to know its naturally like that :p
 
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A.N.Other said:
You're not meant to know what it looks like, but he's not going to make it not look like it is just to fit in with the fact that you haven't been there :confused:
Click to expand...

I meant, I thought he'd put the mirror effect in, having not been there I did not know it was naturally that mirrored, so me saying to remove the mirror effect...
in fact don't worry :p
 
Cracking shot but agree the HDR is a bit strong - makes the image look too fake.

I'd suggest getting the best exposed original and sticking it on a layer above the HDR image, then dropping the transparancy until you get a better balance and an image that looks a bit more natural.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone, I think I knew it was going too far but needed to hear some good alternatives for the shot so please keep the comments and suggestions coming.

It is indeed a real reflection, and i used a CP filter to bring it out more when taking the shot. The worst things is that although called Mirror Lake when you get there, it's not much bigger than a pond. A little atristic licence on the name I think.

FILE ---> http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3389/3527297091_df83200b50_o.jpg

A.N.Other said:
Been waiting for these since you mentioned them in the plague thread :p ...

A stunning scene, but it's a very busy shot - not really sure where you want us to be looking.

Any chance of seeing the middle exposure of the AEB for a comparison?
Click to expand...

Ha... Zombie alert !
Yep, the area was dense with trees, both fallen on the banks so i didn't fancy wading out 3 feet deep into the lake to clear it all. I know " that's not dedication!"

See above for the comparison shot.

King4aDay said:
Hate to say it but the PP is ghastly IMO. Sorry, but you did ask :p

Any chance of a reasonably sized middle exposure to have a play with? Would be fun to see how far I can get with the processing without resorting to HDR.
Click to expand...

Thanks mate. I was asking for an honest response so please don't ever sugarcoat it, after all it's the best way to improve. Please give it a go on the file and post back with your results ( maybe a quick detail on your process? ) If you want a bigger version then email my Trust and i'll sort you out.


Craig R said:
Cracking shot but agree the HDR is a bit strong - makes the image look too fake.

I'd suggest getting the best exposed original and sticking it on a layer above the HDR image, then dropping the transparancy until you get a better balance and an image that looks a bit more natural.
Click to expand...

Hmm, not a bad idea there Craig. This was the result of 15mins in Photomatix and a few tweaks in PS so i'd also love to hear any other ideas on processing before i begin. There are around 30 more shots I want to work on so i'd rather work it out on one example to streamline the rest of the batch.

Thanks again for everyones input.
N
 
Just had a quick play, here's what I did:

Sky and mountains darkened and contrast boosted by using a duplicate original layer which was desaturated and set to multiply blending mode. Selectively masked.

Shadow areas lightened using a duplicate original layer, inverted and set to to overlay blending mode. Selectively masked, then applied again as the original effect was too weak.

Then lots of tweaks to hue/saturation/brightness to bring out the foliage and make the light look more golden. This is a matter of taste and my version is maybe a bit too yellow. Desaturated the blue reflection in the water to match the sky.

And finally a levels tweak applied to brighten the reflection and the body of the left hand tree.

Could use some refinement, the mountain's reflections are maybe a bit too contrasty and the left hand tree area needs a little something, but hopefully it serves to illustrate the point that you can get high impact, contrasty, colourful images without resorting to HDR!

mirrorlake2.jpg
 
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I like that a lot more, whole picture is a lot clearer.
Little bit over exposed on the trees on the right, but nothing a bit selective burning wouldn't sort out I think :)
 
I think they're both awesome, but two very different photos, if i had to choose between them, i tihnk the second one is my fav
 
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