Need help and advice - Toronto skyline

[BrentC]

Haven't really had a chance to do any landscape photos but shot off a few yesterday. There was quite a bit of haze. I did a little de-hazing but of course it brought the sharpness down quite a bit. Since I don't have any experience post editing landscape I was hoping to get advice on what I could do to make these two photos any better. Should I de-saturate blue?

Do you do the sharpening before or after de-hazing? I did it after.

1.
P2180226 by Brent Cameron, on Flickr

2.
P2180231 by Brent Cameron, on Flickr

 

[Ysarex]

Did you save the original as an ORF file or camera JPEG?

Since you used the term "dehaze" I assume you're using Lightroom.

You're starting off with a pretty substantial color balance error and that's cascading into further problems. If you can make the original available I may be able to help with the processing.

Joe

 

[BrentC]

You can get the RAW file here:

P2180231.dng

Please let me know what you adjusted when your done. I am learning LR pretty fast but still have a long way to go. I'm doing pretty good with my wildlife photos but having trouble with landscape. I am still learning to look at a photo and see what can be done.

Thanks.

 

[Ysarex]

You can get the RAW file here:

P2180231.dng

Please let me know what you adjusted when your done. I am learning LR pretty fast but still have a long way to go. I'm doing pretty good with my wildlife photos but having trouble with landscape. I am still learning to look at a photo and see what can be done.

Thanks.

Dropbox - version1.dng

Here's your DNG back and it should contain all the processing I did to get this:

I'm not happy with that yet, but I've got to run and cook dinner now. I'll get back to you again later after I've taken a harder look at this -- bit tricky.

To answer your sharpening question. The default input sharpening in LR is generally fine. Only sharpen output files beyond that and only when you know how the output file will be used. I applied light sharpening to the JPEG pasted above.

Joe

 

[KmH]

Only sharpen output files beyond that and only when you know how the output file will be used.
Joe

Because digital files destined for printing can be sharpened more than files for electronic display.

 

[dxqcanada]

This is my lazy ass attempt using LR ... firs +50 dehaze (didn't even know I had that) then hit auto white balance.
FYI: you have spots on your sensor.

 

[BrentC]

You can get the RAW file here:

P2180231.dng

Please let me know what you adjusted when your done. I am learning LR pretty fast but still have a long way to go. I'm doing pretty good with my wildlife photos but having trouble with landscape. I am still learning to look at a photo and see what can be done.

Thanks.

Dropbox - version1.dng

Here's your DNG back and it should contain all the processing I did to get this:

View attachment 135441

I'm not happy with that yet, but I've got to run and cook dinner now. I'll get back to you again later after I've taken a harder look at this -- bit tricky.

To answer your sharpening question. The default input sharpening in LR is generally fine. Only sharpen output files beyond that and only when you know how the output file will be used. I applied light sharpening to the JPEG pasted above.

Joe

Thanks. I'll take a look later tonight.

 

[BrentC]

This is my lazy ass attempt using LR ... firs +50 dehaze (didn't even know I had that) then hit auto white balance.
FYI: you have spots on your sensor.

View attachment 135444

Thanks. I'll have a better look when I get home. Spot is actually on the lens. That lens hasn't been used since I did water drop photography, probably got splashed.

 

[Ysarex]

This is my lazy ass attempt using LR ... firs +50 dehaze (didn't even know I had that) then hit auto white balance.
FYI: you have spots on your sensor.

View attachment 135444

Thanks. I'll have a better look when I get home. Spot is actually on the lens. That lens hasn't been used since I did water drop photography, probably got splashed.

OK -- had a 2nd look at it without being rushed. I think this is much better:

Here's the DNG including the processing.

Dropbox - version2.dng

NOTE: I used both the gradient and the adjustment brush so you'll want to check for those. Ignore my first attempt.

Joe

 

[dxqcanada]

Thanks. I'll have a better look when I get home. Spot is actually on the lens. That lens hasn't been used since I did water drop photography, probably got splashed.

Hmm, the spots look too defined to be on the lens ... probably tiny specs on the sensor.

 

[BrentC]

Thanks. I'll have a better look when I get home. Spot is actually on the lens. That lens hasn't been used since I did water drop photography, probably got splashed.

Hmm, the spots look too defined to be on the lens ... probably tiny specs on the sensor.

I checked all my photos from that day. This lens I only used for these shots. Photos I have taken before and after with different lenses have no spots.

Is there a sure way to find out? I have been extremely careful and can't see how anything would get on the sensor.

 

[dxqcanada]

I just take shot without the lens.

 

[BrentC]

I just take shot without the lens.

You are right. Just found one photo that I used my 17mm and I can see the spots.

I have never cleaned a sensor before. Should I bring it in to get someone to do it or is this something that is fairly routine? I really don't want to mess it up.

 

[dxqcanada]

A rocket blaster should do the trick.

 

[BrentC]

So I tested against a white background and smallest aperture. And there are several spots. I tried a blower but no luck. I have no idea how it got this dirty.

P2190045 by Brent Cameron, on Flickr