Colors to Die For

[Itanium]

Before shot:


Processed with:
- Cloning out distrationcs.
- Simulated GND to bring out sky colors.
- Some shadow recovery for the foreground.
- Saturation boost to further enhance sky.
- Superimposed blurred overlay layer (simulated Orton Style) for soft focus and glow.

The end result: (Click for EXIF details etc.)

[corry]

wow, thats quite a change......looks almost like something from a sci fi movie. well done.

[mattopia]

Very nice job bringing out a lot of detail that was hidden. I think the foreground and background are well balanced now. I'm curious if you did much masking on your simulated NDF or if it was just a straight horizontal gradient?

[Itanium]

Originally Posted by mattopia

Very nice job bringing out a lot of detail that was hidden. I think the foreground and background are well balanced now. I'm curious if you did much masking on your simulated NDF or if it was just a straight horizontal gradient?

Glad that you liked it. Yes GND was masked beyond simple gradient to apply only on the sky as the architecture was already quite dark and GND was making it almost a sillhoutte, this I masked the gradient to apply only on the sky.

[IcyMirage]

I really like your end result! I think you forgot to clone out a part of a lamp thingy on the right though...?

could you explain those steps a bit further? because to be honest, I havent got a clue what you're talking about

[Itanium]

Originally Posted by IcyMirage

I really like your end result! I think you forgot to clone out a part of a lamp thingy on the right though...?

could you explain those steps a bit further? because to be honest, I havent got a clue what you're talking about

Lol.. ya, there are remain of the post there. I was just being lazy and left the lower part there because I think it was not much of a problem.

Which steps you want to know detail about? Probably asking about Simulated GND and Blurred overlay. Here is little more about these.

for GND: Add a curve adjustment layer (levels could do also) and pinch the curve from center downwards to make it darker. Now on the Layer mask add a gradient from black to transparent from bottom up to make upper parts dark.

for blurred overlay: After everything else is done. Make a stamp of the visible image (CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+N, CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+E). Gradient blur it around 30 to 60 pixel depending on image size and then change layer blending mode to overlay. Reduce opacity if you want to reduce the outcome effect.

Let me know if this makes it clear or if you want to know more or anything else.

[peeperita]

really nice post work.....and thanks for the details of your work flow....

peeper

[lputman]

Itanium, that's awesome. I'm always impressed with your work.

[prince]

Thats a brilliant piece of work. It surely shows off some real good experience, great eye, creativity, and master touch.. I love your work..

[IcyMirage]

thanks for explaining I think I get it now