Join Now
Join ePHOTOzine, the friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more for free!
- View Large
Upgrade to e2 to view large
Upgrade to e2 membership to see a large version of this photo. - Comments
-
Sunlight breaking through very threatening skies and reflecting on steep rock mountains and sand covered slopes with a short dark scrub covering and sparse tree growth. The deep shadows taking on a purple hue while golden sand and green foliage reflected in the sunlight. Complex landscapes that I find difficult to master. Any advice appreciated.
| Camera: | Canon EOS 50D |
| Lens: | 100-400 |
| Recording media: | JPEG (digital) |
| Title: | Tsavo Landscape |
| Username: | 
wideangler |
| Uploaded: | 11 Sep 2010 - 2:03 PM |
| Tags: | Kenya, Landscape / travel, Tsavo west |
| VS Mode Rating |
Unrated These stats show the percentage of wins and the rating score that your photo has achieved. You can go to the VS Mode by clicking on this icon. Signup to e2Signup to e2 to see which photo this has won or lost against in the vs mode |
| Votes: | Voting Disabled |
 | Critique Wanted |
| Modifications Welcome (Upload a Modification) |
Comments
This particular shot is definitely a complex and difficult shot. You have a good exposure for the sky, which has the foreground a little dark, - so many landscape shooters used a neutral Density Graduated Filter to balance the exposure of both land and sky. Another approach is to take two exposures, one metered for the sky, the second for the land and combine in Photoshop.
Shooting in RAW is always best, as is calibrating you white balance with grey card.
You are aso challenged to some degree with a hazy sky, visible as a loss of contrast on the far mountain, - and factor that can be helped by using a circular polarizer to cut through haze and improve contrast.
As it is, it a pleasing composition, with a good sky, and mid distance interest with that majestic rocky peak. Theres a lot of foreground with no particular interest, and if possible, it always a good idea to try to include something on interest here, - not always possible though.
In the mod Ive lightened the foreground, sharpened a little, and reduced the blue cast just a small amount, - and also flipped the image.
Another suggestion might be to crop a little closer so you have less empty space in the foreground.
Hope this is helpful,
Regards
Willie
Willie, That's very interesting and your version is certainly an improvement on mine although I'm not at all sure about any value in the horizontal flip. The closer crop is definitely better, thank you. Neil
Quote: I have had a little go at uploading a mod as well. I used Topaz adjust after trying selective 'levels'. Sometimes 'Topaz' will add that little something on top of the 'levels' when they just don't seem to work as well as you would hope.
Hope you approve.
Frank
Very much so, Frank, an excellent mod, thank you. Your use of 'Topaz' is really interesting - is it in PS? I can't find it. Topaz hasn't got a colour has it, it's clear but pics up shades from elsewhere - presumably from what's already in the picture? How do you use it? Thanks, Neil
Or if you go via stuckincustoms.com, they have a code to get a discount (Thanks to Philo for that one).
Frank's probably refering to Topaz Adjust. Topaz labs make several plug-ins for PS, this seems to be the most used.
Nice shot, btw. Nakes a good comparison with the home shots you uploaded previously (I'm assuming Tsavo is from your Africa trip).
Hi Neil I enhanced the FG like Willie said just selected the slope of the hill and feathered, then coloured and sharpened with the unsharp mask, balanced the BG hills and cropped in just a tad, the original would give a better result of course, just added a little FG interest, with the sharpening and colour, on what I think is a true African Landscape, hope you like it, and try my idea on the original and get a print.
Thanks for sharing, was great to see the difference. Chen.
Quote: Hi Neil I enhanced the FG like Willie said just selected the slope of the hill and feathered, then coloured and sharpened with the unsharp mask, balanced the BG hills and cropped in just a tad, the original would give a better result of course, just added a little FG interest, with the sharpening and colour, on what I think is a true African Landscape, hope you like it, and try my idea on the original and get a print.
Thanks for sharing, was great to see the difference. Chen.
Chen, you have captured what I saw but which had escaped, The light on the foreground is exactly as I saw it. You've brought it to life, thank you, Neil
Kind words indeed Neil...Thanks for the positive feedback on my imaging skills, really appreciate your comments...
I would be pleased to do just that on the original for you if you want to get a print for the wall, just pm me for my email address...
Well worth it, as this one is a real touch of Africa.
Thanks Chen.
Add a Comment
ePHOTOzine, the web's friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more.
Related Content
Join Our Free Newsletter
Awards
Current Competitions
Olympus 'Portraiture' Competition - Win £1000 Worth Of Gear!
30th April 2013 - 31st May 2013
This month, to celebrate the launch of Olympus' new micro site Olympus Image Space, Olympus are giving you the chance to win £1000 worth of Olympus gear!...
Featured e2 Photo
May's Photo Month
Check out ePHOTOzine's inspirational photo month calendar! Each day click on a window to unveil new photography tips, treats and techniques.
