Creative Effects Challenge No. 224 - RAW Let’s Explore Noise Reduction

[hmca]

Basically looks good to me, tonyw . I know what you mean by "too bright" as that is my present struggle as well.....along with too dark!

So I went back to my original DXO version. Created a copy and edited in Camera Raw to try to get a better white balance as Tony suggested above. My plan was to use the original DXO version for the sky and the new edited version for the foreground. I ended up with mountains that were now too white. I also used the remove tool to get rid of the dome. (I seem to be the only one bothered by it So now what to do? I ended up going to CE 6 and added a glow preset. Back in PS I duplicated the layer and added a slight blur to the bottom layer. Then I masked the two together and added the enlarged moon.

When I ask people to submit an image for the challenge they are encouraged to submit one that they know they didn't get "right" for one reason or another. Remembering that, I think our photographer has presented us with an image that has encouraged us to explore a variety of options. So even though it may be frustrating we sure are attempting some novel problem-solving ideas.

I am finished but will look forward to seeing what other ideas members might come up with.

[hmca]

I tried one more. After seeing kdcintx 's try I said I would try to see what I could get just working in CR. I decided to see what I could get just using LR. on the original nef file. This was definitely a learning experience for me as it's the first time I tried the masking feature in LR.  

[PeteB]

Thanks Helen for the fun image.

First opened in PureRaw then into ACR for adjustments. In PSE I open Silver Efex and selected the preset High Structure to boost details. Black into ACR to max out details. Then applied filters from Color Efex and fixed my mistakes.

[hmca]

Apr 2, 2024 18:11:24 GMT PeteB said:

Thanks Helen for the fun image.

Is that what you call it?!

Thanks for sharing your edit, PeteB. I am thinking the brown foreground was an editing choice you made in CE.
I like that you have retained a clean white on the mountaintops and rooftops.

[tonyw]

This is getting addictive! Continued by removing the tower thing in the foreground (with generative fill) took it into Topaz Studio 2 and applied an effect called misty (for some reason) which added some detail to the mountains. Finished up with a vignette and a Jodi layer style frame.



Tony

[hmca]

Apr 2, 2024 21:43:46 GMT tonyw said:

This is getting addictive!

There's nothing more pleasing for a challenge host to hear.......

Never thought this image would lend itself to creative style editing.....thanks for opening up some new possibilities, Tony. Interesting result.

[hmca]

Because this was such a challenging image I started to wonder how an expert might address it.  I know many of us have learned a lot from MattK over the years so I decided to reach out to him with a link to our challenge. He was kind enough to reply. With his permission, and the permission of the photographer I am sharing his thoughts on our CE.




As challenging as this was, it did lead to some extraordinary effort on our parts.  I want to thank everyone who submitted an edit.


Our next RAW Challenge is June 8th.   Please consider submitting an image for us to work with.  You can let me know by a PM and we can work out the details.  I will answer any questions that you may have about how the challenge works.

[blackmutt]

For those that did not figure it out - that challenge was my photo. Appreciate your attempts. As Matt K stated - it required more than one shot. I am impressed he took the time to comment on Helen's questions! It was near dusk when that photo was taken in cold temps. No time to linger. ha ha.
Blackmutt

[hmca]

Gave us a good workout, blackmutt! Much appreciated.