Emil Davidzuk
August 2026 - Callaway Fork Road
Original
About the Image(s)
This is an interesting area to photograph. It is40 minutes
from home in a secluded area, Nice homes, big lots, long fence lines, on a dirt road with large tracts of undeveloped land. It is a good fall color site. I liked the curve in the road leading to an opening in a cluster of trees. I thought a period look would work OK.
Workflow: I rendered the image in BW using NIK Silver Efex, a touch of Detail Extractor and then the masking tools in LR to dodge and burn the image. I did lighten the grass along the dirt road for contrast.
Camera: 720nm Canon 7D, Canon 24-105 f4 lens at 50mm, 1/30 sec at f11, ISO 160, .33EV
7 comments posted
The curve is great, Emil, and it's cool that we can actually see beyond, the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. I love the sepia warm tones here, which go well with what appears to be an old or abandoned farm on the right. You don't discuss how you achieved the old photo / grainy sky? Posted: 08/02/2026 16:46:13
Jack,
I am sorry about omitting that workflow info.
I added a texture in PS that created the grainy sky but not sure what it was unfortunately. I have been using black mottled textures over my BW images to create interesting effects. The sepia tone was created in Lightroom by moving the yellow temp slider to the right to +11 after completing my PS edits.
Thank you for your kind thoughts
Emil Posted: 08/02/2026 19:22:55
I am sorry about omitting that workflow info.
I added a texture in PS that created the grainy sky but not sure what it was unfortunately. I have been using black mottled textures over my BW images to create interesting effects. The sepia tone was created in Lightroom by moving the yellow temp slider to the right to +11 after completing my PS edits.
Thank you for your kind thoughts
Emil Posted: 08/02/2026 19:22:55
Great composition of the bending leading line. I have never tried to attempt an old photo appearance before. Posted: 08/03/2026 20:49:11
Hi Emil, It seem to be a month of curves for many of us. Nicely seen. I even like the bit of light shining though at the end of the curve. Sepia was a good choice here too. I'm not sure that this particular sky texture works here as t is quite obvious. Posted: 08/04/2026 16:08:12
Melanie,
My thought at the time was to add the texture to create some grain to the sky in keeping with the sepia tone - an old time post card look.
Thanks for your thoughts
Emil Posted: 08/06/2026 19:10:30
My thought at the time was to add the texture to create some grain to the sky in keeping with the sepia tone - an old time post card look.
Thanks for your thoughts
Emil Posted: 08/06/2026 19:10:30
Emil,
I love the composition, particularly the "hole" in the trees. It's a matter of taste, but I'm not as crazy about the texture and dark processing though I will say that you did it well. Posted: 08/04/2026 17:03:50
I love the composition, particularly the "hole" in the trees. It's a matter of taste, but I'm not as crazy about the texture and dark processing though I will say that you did it well. Posted: 08/04/2026 17:03:50
I love the composition with the curved road leading into the trees. Lightening the grass along the road really works well. I also like the old postcard look to the vegetation and road. I wish the sky had a little bit more going on but you work with what you have!! Well done. Posted: 08/18/2026 02:36:55