Help me with my howler!

padders

padders

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Name
Tom
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Hi there, making my first foray into Post processing. I have a picture of a howler monkey that was quite dark, I have attempted to bring out some details a bit by lifting some of the shadows. Is this attempt any good? Have I made the picture worst? What else should consider? I have been using the free software Capture NX -D. I intend to get LR soon but presumably the principles PP should work all across the different software. Also the original file was in RAW shot with D5100. Thanks for any help!

View attachment 19036 View attachment 19037
 
if you have it in raw, the first thing you need to do it increase the exposure by a stop or two.

Although its quite dark, it doesn't look like the darks are completely unrecoverable, and a play with the highlights and shadows after increasing the exposure should net good results.
 
Increase exposure, increase contrast to restore the black in the fur, tweak clarity a bit. If you have the ability, adjust black and white points on the subject (not the background).
 
thanks I tried again and increased the exposure and shadow reduction but that just washed out all the blacks and turned them grey, guess less is more with the post processing.
 
thanks Mariner will try that with the contrast.
 
Hiya.
I was intrigued as to wether there were details there. It apears there is from the image above.I had a little mess around I think it is a bit better but not sure if you think it is or not. I did this with curves and levels and took some blue out the mokeys fur.

Gaz

monkey_2.jpg
 
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The first thing you should do is get the monkey to sign a monkey release form. It seems, these days, their monkey lawyers are getting in on the monkey business.
 
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In the Capture NX-D Edit list click on Tone (Detail) and from the adjustments that appear try D-Lighting HS, if that is not too good try Shadow Protection. With a NEF file you should get a good result.
Tone (Detail) is the lowest of the adjustments with a drop down box next to them. The LH is just Tone and the RH is Tone (Detail)
 
ianp5a said:
The first thing you should do is get the monkey to sign a monkey release form. It seems, these days, their monkey lawyers are getting in on the monkey business.
Click to expand...
Luckily I bribed it with a bit of fruit. I'm was aware it might Howl me down in court. Thanks Suvv have returned to it for a final attempt:

View attachment 19973
 
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