"A Conversation Between Land and Sky"

bishopsmead · Mar 4, 2005

A slightly elaborate title...

I'm having trouble with this shot, I really want to make it work, but either the land is too dark, or the sky becomes too pale. Whenever I get clever and try to selectively darken/lighten, the horizon becomes obviously fake...

Anyway, you may feel it is about as good as it can get... I have used curves to get as far as I can...

LaFoto · Mar 4, 2005

My feeling is: crop the sky immediately above the cloud and already you win some.

Sergiozal · Mar 4, 2005

You might use a Neutral density graduated filter

Check it out: http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/content/2003/aug/howto_graduated.html

cramski · Mar 4, 2005

I agree wit with the crop, also, have you tried to saturate a bit? That might help. But it is still a good pic if you don't do anything.

chroix · Mar 4, 2005

Neutral density filter would help you with your problem. you might want to shoot at dawn or dusk, at least check out other times of the day and lighting conditions. the direct overhead light does bad things to forms and shadows. probably be nice at sunset...

bishopsmead · Mar 4, 2005

trouble is of course:

the location is a long way away
the composition is all about that cloud

So really, this is all I have to go on...

I absolutely take on board grads will help with similar shots in the future.

Thanks for your input!

damonff · Mar 4, 2005

Maybe adjusting the hue/saturation of just blues and greens... Looks like the Shire!!

Verbal · Mar 4, 2005

Is this what you're looking for?

bishopsmead · Mar 5, 2005

yes definately, although I wanted to avoid the band of lightness at the horizon... I suspect a grad filter would have had a similar effect! Looks a lot better though.

mcblum · Mar 5, 2005

Stray from boring! This shot can be color enhanced, but why not make it a bit dramatic. What do you think of these?

Christie Photo · Mar 5, 2005

I dunno... I like your original post. The fence line leading us up to the cloud is a nice element. Rather than a crop, have you tried adding to the top, extending the sky upward with a bit of vignetting.

I do like the title!

-Pete Christie