better mountain picture needed

[stryder's in Anacortes]

camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ50

How can I improve the contrast between the sky and mountain? Sometimes, the mountain blends in to much with the sky. What I see, is not what I get. Any suggestions?

[LeeR]

What you are describing is called "atmospheric haze." Whenever something is a good distance away the moisture in the air that is not apparent over shorter distances, becomes a bit more prominent. There isn't a great deal you can do about the haze. I did read an article where a photographer would open up his aperture a half to a full stop thinking that would help alleviate the haze. Personally, I think his reasoning was even hazier than his images. Aside from that, I don't know that you have many options but to wait for a less hazy or move closer to your subject.
Oh, I should add that some people swear by UV/Haze filters. I am not a big fan, but there are those who find them useful in this situation. If you were shooting b&w you might also try a red filter. Red light is not influenced by haze as much as the other colors.

[KansaiGreenie]

Hi stryder's in Anacortes,

You've got a nice image. A very dramatic mountain.

It is possible to remove the haze from the sky in post production. Every image will be different, but basically you need to play with adjusting the contrast and brightness levels. If you increase the contrast, it will get rid of the haze (but make the image dark) and then adjust the brightness.

There are tons of tutorials on the web about it. I would suggest googling the name of your PP program (Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Lightroom, Gimp, etc.) + "remove haze tutorial" and you will get a lot of advice on how to fix your image. Or you could just play around with it.

Hope that helps!

KG

[stryder's in Anacortes]

using "unsharp mask" worked great.

[eOr]

You might try a polarizer; they can help cut out atmospheric haze but it depends on which direction you're shooting relative to the sun. Polarizers work best at 90 deg to the sun.

The reason they work is the water droplets in the air acts like small reflectors, the polarizer will cut the reflection just like it will a reflection off of glass or water.

[jmyus]

nice view! i have an old friend in anacortes, he owns The Rockfish Brewery! beautiful city!

[windrider86]

Can you post your exif info so we know what settings you had your camera on?

[joe27]

Originally Posted by eOr

You might try a polarizer; they can help cut out atmospheric haze but it depends on which direction you're shooting relative to the sun. Polarizers work best at 90 deg to the sun.

The reason they work is the water droplets in the air acts like small reflectors, the polarizer will cut the reflection just like it will a reflection off of glass or water.

I was thinking polarizer too, but have never tried one with haze.