I was originally going to post this shot in color, but decided to have a look at the RGB channels. I got quite a surprise! lol
Shot in the same spot at nearly the same time as yesterday's, but obviously quite different. The dramatic effect was done with the red channel at 120% and the blue channel at -15%. The red channel alone had a lot of contrast, but instead of applying levels, I decided to just fine tune the contrast in the channels extraction.
I have a color version, which is ok, but not as dramatic as the b&w.
Also a reminder to add me to your photoblog.org favorites if you haven't already. To all those who have, your votes are very much appreciated! I am happy to say that I have passed the 500th mark. Not really a big deal in context, but a milestone for myself. Thanks for all of your support!
categories: monochrome nature
May 7th, 2005 at 2:10 AM
If only I had the technical knowledge to describe this. The contrast is remarkable in that the highlights make up a big part of this but they don't seem to really wash anything out.... nice dynamic range.
But maybe what is more important is to describe the emotion this pic evokes. It is stunning - breathtaking really. I also like how you decided to frame it, leaving just enough open space on the left to make one wonder what exactly to feel.
Excellent photograph!
May 7th, 2005 at 7:33 AM
This is a really great photo. I prefer the B&W version more than the colour one. Nicely composed and professionally tuned in PS. Even though I couldn't understand all your explaination about ur workflow in PS, but the end result is very good.
May 7th, 2005 at 9:34 AM
Outstanding... I have been utterly amazed with this week's POD's they are just awesome! I do have to say the B&W is a whole lot more breathtaking than the color version.
May 7th, 2005 at 12:00 PM
gorgeous.
May 7th, 2005 at 12:14 PM
Like a thousand sparkling diamonds attached to tree branches. Very dramatic in B&W and a good choice.
May 7th, 2005 at 12:40 PM
I too like the B&W, though the color version has more color contrast, imho.
Is that a hint of a sunburst I see there? ;)
Nice shot, Ryan.
May 7th, 2005 at 12:58 PM
Mark: I would suspect that you are right: the color version probably would have just a bit more color contrast than the b&w. :P
That is a hint of a starburst as it was f/14, but not intentionally a starburst. Lately, I've been trying to shoot at smaller apertures when possible. This is one of those cases...plus it makes for a nice effect coming through the trees. :)
Thanks for commenting!
May 7th, 2005 at 3:39 PM
that's beautiful. i read you used mixer channels in photoshop, but it looks like it was shot with an infrared filter.
May 7th, 2005 at 5:04 PM
bloody brilliant man, sun shining through behind the tree is very cool and you gotta love that dark sky.
May 8th, 2005 at 1:15 AM
speechless. very dramatic and nice photo~ the leaves are outstanding... nice!
May 8th, 2005 at 1:21 AM
if your last picture was stunning, then I don't know what this one is. it's incredible. I forgot that I had loaded the page, and when I checked back, I saw the picture and completely forgot everything else I was doing for a good minute. It took my breath away. being late as it is and the fact that I'm sick may account for how long I forgot, but still, pictures don't normally make me forget.
the contrasts are heavenly and the effect is etheral. hehe, I've always wanted to use that word to describe something. the black and white adds a lot of drama and mystery (although the colors in the other version are beautiful as well). The leaves make me think of a million tiny little bells. It really is beautiful.
May 8th, 2005 at 4:58 AM
I prefer the b&w version - it has something mystical. The light is very nice.
May 8th, 2005 at 9:11 AM
breathtaking. i love that really dark sky.
May 9th, 2005 at 2:13 PM
Brilliant picture. The leaves seem to glow with light. Well done.
May 9th, 2005 at 10:40 PM
you are the king of channel mixer! i'm still struggling to get it to work the way i wanted.
May 10th, 2005 at 9:21 AM
This is great Ryan. I love the contrast of the branches in the sky.
May 10th, 2005 at 12:14 PM
One word..powerful!
May 11th, 2005 at 7:13 AM
Stunning! The sun flare adds a nice touch, too.
May 11th, 2005 at 10:29 PM
Really cool shot. It looks like a IR shot, but it isn't.
May 12th, 2005 at 9:55 PM
i don't know if you remember me (lys/lhs)
but i am frankly amazed by this.
this literally took my breath away.
good work.
May 16th, 2005 at 5:44 AM
This is stunning.
THe way the light is illuminating the branches is fantastic.