How to enhance sun beams

[GaryJS1980]

Hi guys,

My first post so please be gentle! I'm looking for a way to enhance sun beams that come through clouds. I've had a go with this one (the method and exif is with the photo) but would appreciate hearing of any other techniques!



Do you think it could be done better (I'm sure you do!)? But how?

Many thanks

Gary

[wulf]

I've added the image in directly - see the FAQ for how to do that.

I've also moved it to a technique discussion section as you are asking about how to enhance landscape photos. I'm sure you'll still get some critique of this picture but hopefully also some examples from others of what they have done with sunbeams.

Wulf

[henryscat]

Polarising filter maybe? Dunno if you were using one already!

[miked70]

sorry a cp filter will not help as it only works if the sun crosses your sholders
ie:sun on left sholder you looking north/south
the light rays/sun must cross the cp/filter lines to work
hope i explained this???

[xxpinballxx]

here this will help....
creating sunrays

[GaryJS1980]

Thanks Wulf

I wasn't using a filter at the time. I know it can help enhance contrast.. I'll try and give it a go sometime.

Thanks for the link on how to create sun rays. I was looking for some way to enhance ones that are already there. Somebody commented on my photo in flickr suggesting dodging and burning. I've had to educate myself on what that is but it looks promising.. I'll repost an attempt with dodging and burning when I get the chance.

Thanks for your help!

[wulf]

You could try playing with the curves tool, boosting the upper mid regions (the lighter tones of the sunbeams) without blowing out the detail in the clouds any more (I'm assuming that you have a reasonably advanced imaged editing program - is that the case?)

Wulf

[xxpinballxx]

Originally Posted by GaryJS1980

Thanks Wulf

I wasn't using a filter at the time. I know it can help enhance contrast.. I'll try and give it a go sometime.

Thanks for the link on how to create sun rays. I was looking for some way to enhance ones that are already there. Somebody commented on my photo in flickr suggesting dodging and burning. I've had to educate myself on what that is but it looks promising.. I'll repost an attempt with dodging and burning when I get the chance.

Thanks for your help!

it would be the same thing to enhance just overlay the rays that are already there....
really easier than making your own you already have a guide as to where they go on the enhanced ones.....

[IanWorthington]

Have you tried local contrast enhancement? Try USM starting with 10/50/0 and see if that helps.

i

[wulf]

When you say "local contrast enhancement", do you mean appying an effect like UnSharp Mask and then using a layer mask to apply the results to only parts of the image?

Wulf