Waterfall

[psycolicious]

This is a picture of a waterfall that I liked but I felt needed some enhancements.

*as a side note: Yes, the rocks look fake; that is because they are. This is a man made waterfall.

Here is the "before" picture without any enhancements.



http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2728/...b1f9e0645b.jpg

Here is my "after" picture with some levels, curves and contrast adjustments as well as the addition of a "new" sky.



http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/...67f15c4415.jpg

Any comments, questions or critiques are welcome.

[Exposures]

Nice edit. What did you to do enhance the color so much?

[Grumby]

Great job! You've reclaimed the colours and contrast from the 'grey' original, and made this into a worthwhile image that probably reflects the reality you saw with your eyes, as opposed to the reality the camera captured. I think you've reworked the sky really well - I originally thought you'd managed to reclaim the original through adjustments, but to find that you've laid in a new one... that's a very neat job - well done! There's one last thing that I'd have a play with - I'd try and get rid of that distracting white branch in the middle foreground - but that's just me being picky - once I start messing around with Photoshop, I can never stop!

Very nice PP - TFS

Grumby.

[psycolicious]

Originally Posted by Exposures

Nice edit. What did you to do enhance the color so much?

Thank you for your comments.

I have learned so much from the posts here at DPS and this photo is an example. The contrast was achieved using the standard auto levels and curves in photoshop which I use most of the time. But the subtle difference is a technique I learned here at DPS. Here is a direct link to the post.

A Quick and Effective Way to Enhance Contrast in Photoshop

It is a simple process that I recorded into a preset action in photoshop but it has dynamic results. I have been really pleased.

I then "topped it off" with a subtle High Pass Filter overlay mode layer at 25% to add back in some of the highlights on the rocks.

Thanks again for commenting.

[psycolicious]

Originally Posted by Grumby

Great job! You've reclaimed the colours and contrast from the 'grey' original, and made this into a worthwhile image that probably reflects the reality you saw with your eyes, as opposed to the reality the camera captured. I think you've reworked the sky really well - I originally thought you'd managed to reclaim the original through adjustments, but to find that you've laid in a new one... that's a very neat job - well done! There's one last thing that I'd have a play with - I'd try and get rid of that distracting white branch in the middle foreground - but that's just me being picky - once I start messing around with Photoshop, I can never stop!

Very nice PP - TFS

Grumby.

Thank you for your kind comments.

I will readily admit that I was so focused on getting the sky right that I completely spaced out on the branch in the foreground. Well, you've given me a good excuse to go back and work on the photo some more.

I wanted to give credit on the sky replacement that is in this picture. In the past I have struggled with replacing and/or enhancing sky photos, but I found a great technique here at DPS that was very effective.

How to Replace a Sky in Photoshop

This is why I really enjoy DPS. Helen Bradley is very good at what she does and her tutorials are easy to follow and implement. It took me quite a few times to get the combination that I wanted but I am pleased with the final result.

Thanks again for your comments!