Brad Ashbrook  


Glacier Flowers by Brad Ashbrook

October 2019 - Glacier Flowers

October 2019 - Brad Ashbrook

Original 1

October 2019 - Brad Ashbrook

Original 2

About the Image(s)

During my drive with Kelsey across the US, we stopped off in Glacier for an evening and a day. Unfortunately between clouds and smoke from fires, the sky was not great. Of course I didn't stop shooting, it was one of the most spectacular NP's I had ever visited and I will be back! This actually 2 photos blended together with 2 luminosity masks. One developed for the sky and 1 for everything else. The reason there I made 2 masks is the mountains on the right and left plus the tops. They lacked contrast and just looked different. Took me awhile to figure this out, probably too long.. Then there was the challenge to make the foreground flowers and background trees look similar in regards to color and contrast. I spent a bit of time on this file, not sure it was worth it but I think I learned a lot.

The original HDR attempt with Aurora didn't look great between the clouds and flowers.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
8 comments posted




Rick Cloran   Rick Cloran
The result is very effective in my opinion so I would say you did a very commendable job in executing the blend this way. I'm wondering if you might even take it one or two steps further by refining the blend result with a separate selection on the sky just to boost the contrast and definition there slightly and then, perhaps a little dodging in the foreground to brighten that area up some. I don't think you would lose the sense of the overcast / cloudy lighting doing that. Great job, but I think there is even more potential in what you have than where it stands right now.   Posted: 10/09/2019 09:43:29
Brad Ashbrook   Brad Ashbrook
Thank you! I will continue to fine tune the some more.   Posted: 10/09/2019 20:23:06



Max Burke   Max Burke
Overcast days like this are difficult to make given a rather flat scene into one with some depth. I feel you were effective with the flowers and the nearest hills. I wonder if you tried "dehaze" in Photoshop raw. I agree with you and Rick maybe a little more selective contrast with the background might work. Regardless, you made this one better based on your information, and are almost there.   Posted: 10/19/2019 21:21:02



 
Beautiful landscape. You did a so good job editing it. Nice composition and blending. I agree the sky may need a little bit contrast.   Posted: 10/27/2019 02:42:58



Lisa Cuchara   Lisa Cuchara
I love the scene, wow!
Seems like the underexposed version has the colors popping more for the flowers.
The skies and mts look good, no color cast, which can be hard.

Watch Sean Bagshaw and Ryan Dyer for their ways of sculpting the light around, they can transform a beautiful image like this into paths of lights and darks that make the image sing more...
  Posted: 10/30/2019 01:04:18
Brad Ashbrook   Brad Ashbrook
I have seen some of Sean's videos and his panel. I am usually pretty conservative on enhancing colors, also worried about over saturating.   Posted: 10/30/2019 11:44:32
Brad Ashbrook   Brad Ashbrook
I have seen some of Sean's videos and his panel. I am usually pretty conservative on enhancing colors, also worried about over saturating.   Posted: 10/31/2019 12:41:12



Bill Buchanan   Bill Buchanan
I like the overall blend and composition. I prefer the brightness of the flowers in the lighter image. Perhaps some selective use of an Adjustment Brush would add some pop to the flowers.   Posted: 10/31/2019 23:50:01