Dusk in the vineyards

[stubbsy]

Two images from my outing to the Hunter Valley vineyards last weekend with Matt, Sam & Leigh.






Edit: Updated with less saturated images

[Geoff]

Beautiful images Peter - the composition is perfect. Mind me asking if you did much/a lot of PP sharpening? They look a LITTLE over done when I view them on my lappie monitor. Beautiful none the less!

[Yi-P]

That dynamic range, its way toooo faarr

[Geoff]

Maybe it's just the magic of the D2X in very capable hands?

[stubbsy]

I think you guys are right. I've just replaced the images in the original post with less saturated versions. I must say though that the colours were very intense in the sky and the golden glow on the vines was impressive in the flesh.

[sirhc55]

Very nice Peter

[Sheila Smart]

Beautiful images, Peter. The skies in each are just so gentle.

Cheers
Sheila

[ABG]

There's something about that first image that just draws your eyes to it and around it time and again. It's simply wonderful. The second is a very nice image, but doesn't keep drawing me back to it in the same way.

[Glen]

Stubbsy, I am the same as Andrew on the first, just love it.

[rokkstar]

Peter,

These are great. I like 2 best.

Could you tell me how you've done these because mine have not come out anywhere near as good as this. This is a merge of the 3 bracketed shots yes?

Lovely greens and great colours in the sky.

[stubbsy]

Could you tell me how you've done these because mine have not come out anywhere near as good as this. This is a merge of the 3 bracketed shots yes?

Matt

Both of these are single images.
- first step = processed in DxO Optics
- brought into photoshop as a dng file.
- added a Nik Color Efex Grad ND filter (selectively) to darken the sky
- a little burning in the very top of the sky in both images to darken them slightly
- In the second shot I then added a Nik Color Efex Grad blue (again sky only)
- Nik Color Efex brilliance warmth - cooled second, warmed first
- a little dodging to even out the "lightness" of the distant vines
- finally a small color balance adjustment layer (sky only) to punch up the red and blue midtones slightly

I think that part of the result is also due to the slightly higher dynamic range I'm seeing from the D2X CMOS sensor.

Edit: I'll hunt down and post the originals with no PP and after DxO later tonight

[stubbsy]

To all of you - thank your for your comments. The light at this location was just perfect and lasted a fair while too. I find when there are no clouds you often get that dreamy effect in the sky.

[radar]

Great photos Peter,

I prefer number 1. I think it is because it has the dam and the trees, keeps me coming back to the middle while the second one doesn't really have this.

Thanks also for sharing your technique.

Cheers,

André

[stubbsy]

As promised, below is the original of the first image with no PP and the same image after DxO processing. Click for larger

[marcotrov]

Gorgeous lighting and tones Peter. I think #1 is my pick here
cheers
marco

[Bob G]

Peter
These are nice
I didn't see the originals but I really like the rich velvia look which is really well suited to these shots