Problems PP'ing my woodland walk pics?

[DayDreamer]

As the heading really.

This shot (SOOC) is typical where at the point of me taking I see far more variation & distinctiveness in the trees, etc. But then when I upload to my Lappy it just seems a boring blob of green.

Any tips on PP'ing these type of shots would be most gratefully received.

Click for larger size.

 

[Yv]

Part of the problem is that often, what looks good in the flesh can look a bit boring when viewed in 2D because no amount of PP can reproduce the textures, smells and sounds that worked together to create the overall image at the time.

However, if it was my photo, I would warm it up slightly, it looks a tad on the cool side, possibly lighten the shadows a little and then up the contrast a nudge too. You could have a play with clarity sliders too, either up for definition, or even if you want to be really arty, down, to get that 'mystical' glow that can be popular with woodland images. Have a play, see what you can do with it

 

[DayDreamer]

Part of the problem is that often, what looks good in the flesh can look a bit boring when viewed in 2D because no amount of PP can reproduce the textures, smells and sounds that worked together to create the overall image at the time.

However, if it was my photo, I would warm it up slightly, it looks a tad on the cool side, possibly lighten the shadows a little and then up the contrast a nudge too. You could have a play with clarity sliders too, either up for definition, or even if you want to be really arty, down, to get that 'mystical' glow that can be popular with woodland images. Have a play, see what you can do with it

Hi Yvonne & thanks. I will give your tips a try & post the results (if they don't look too bad Me being able to go along a woodland path is so novel as I thought that had finished when I became wheelchair bound (out of the house). Only found out recently there are paths designed for wheelchairs - but some/many are bl**ding bumpy

 

[swanseamale47]

You could try adding some viberance or saturation to bring up the colours a bit, or you go go dark and moody........

 

[4wd]

While not exactly over-exposed, the strong light has washed things out, from RAW you could drop the exposure one stop or more with useful improvement in the 'atmosphere'

It's also a good candidate for mild orton effect, although that is straying away from realism rather too much for some tastes.

 

[Yv]

Hi Yvonne & thanks. I will give your tips a try & post the results (if they don't look too bad Me being able to go along a woodland path is so novel as I thought that had finished when I became wheelchair bound (out of the house). Only found out recently there are paths designed for wheelchairs - but some/many are bl**ding bumpy

Yes, plenty of woodland walks out there for the wheelie club - just to really terrify you, my mum did abseiling in her wheelchair! Seriously!! Ok, it was down a 45 degree rocky slope rather than a vertical cliff face, but definitely one of those 'who'd ave thunk it' activities. My local country park where we walk the dogs is totally accesible to wheelchair users, half woodland, half open fields/lake, so if you ever have need to come to Londinium, we will take you there, it's gorgeous.

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

John,
I find woodland scenes are one of the hardest subjects; it's very easy to end up with shots that are just a tangle of greenery and I often can't remember what attracted me enough to take them!
I reckon the trick is to find something that can be used to shape a composition that leads the eye into the scene.

For me, your image is about the dappled light, but the path on the left and the brightness top-right detract from that goal.
Here's an alternate crop of your image emphasising the dappled light and giving a clear lead in to walking down that lovely path. There are no other modifications.

Your shot is a classic "wish I was there" shot, and I hope this crop strengthens that impression.
What do you reckon?
Duncan

 

[DayDreamer]

You could try adding some viberance or saturation to bring up the colours a bit, or you go go dark and moody........

Thanks Wayne much appreciated. Sometimes I can go with the keep it simple & realistic but sometimes I can let my hair down so your thoughts are good. You do have some good ideas

While not exactly over-exposed, the strong light has washed things out, from RAW you could drop the exposure one stop or more with useful improvement in the 'atmosphere'

It's also a good candidate for mild orton effect, although that is straying away from realism rather too much for some tastes.

Thank you 4wd & again like Wayne food for more of my thoughts

Yes, plenty of woodland walks out there for the wheelie club - just to really terrify you, my mum did abseiling in her wheelchair! Seriously!! Ok, it was down a 45 degree rocky slope rather than a vertical cliff face, but definitely one of those 'who'd ave thunk it' activities. My local country park where we walk the dogs is totally accesible to wheelchair users, half woodland, half open fields/lake, so if you ever have need to come to Londinium, we will take you there, it's gorgeous.

OMG trying to get me to abseil - what next a parachute jump It's exciting enough being shoved around in the WC (short for wheelchair not WC the toilet) especially the one with the electric motor - wheee!!!

John,
I find woodland scenes are one of the hardest subjects; it's very easy to end up with shots that are just a tangle of greenery and I often can't remember what attracted me enough to take them!
I reckon the trick is to find something that can be used to shape a composition that leads the eye into the scene.

For me, your image is about the dappled light, but the path on the left and the brightness top-right detract from that goal.
Here's an alternate crop of your image emphasising the dappled light and giving a clear lead in to walking down that lovely path. There are no other modifications.


Your shot is a classic "wish I was there" shot, and I hope this crop strengthens that impression.
What do you reckon?
Duncan

Duncan As I big fan of your work the type of photographs (beautiful landscapes) which I would love to take if I had been better able on my legs so really good to hear from you. I fully take on board your comments & along with all the others I feel I am learning very very quickly how to give the shots more oomph

All in all I must take more time with the taking, then more time with the cropping then try all the little tweaks as suggested, unless I just 'blast forth' & get some really moody, evil, wicked looks

 

[DayDreamer]

Another of my 'too green' shots taken at the same point on the same day with people which seem to give it a lift. The second one has been fiddled with to include all the tweaks suggested & it seems (to my eye) to be the rightish way to go - hopefully - doesn't it :shrug: I've saved the fiddling as a Preset in LR4.

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

Another tip for springtime woodland...
If the green looks wrong then it's probably because you took it in AWB.
The camera thinks the green cast is caused fluorescent lighting and sort it out for you; hence you end up with the wrong green.
I recommend either daylight or shade depending on the mood you are looking to convey in your image.

Can't check what you used as your meta-data has been stripped - so I'm guessing. Apologies if I'm teaching Grandma to suck eggs etc

 

[DayDreamer]

Another tip for springtime woodland...
If the green looks wrong then it's probably because you took it in AWB.
The camera thinks the green cast is caused fluorescent lighting and sort it out for you; hence you end up with the wrong green.
I recommend either daylight or shade depending on the mood you are looking to convey in your image.

Can't check what you used as your meta-data has been stripped - so I'm guessing. Apologies if I'm teaching Grandma to suck eggs etc

I'm always open to learning especially PP as I spend a lot of time fiddling around in the software. I am torn between taking RAW or not as so far I am not seeing huge benefits of using RAW. However bear in mind I only use a 'baby' sized camera because I am not able to hold the DSLR's. It was an X10 but sold that to some lurker on the forum lol:) & bought a Nikon P7700 which is also an advanced compact. One attraction being the fully articulating LCD which is great as a I can't bend/stoop down.

I usually shoot auto WB but often find I need to warm all my shots a little but am reluctant to fiddle with in camera controls as it is easy enough to adjust after. Duncan one lesson you taught me, from the X10 thread, is to expose for the highlights & let the shadows take care of themselves.

Again thanks for your help