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ursula


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: The Beginning of the End (Advanced Editing V)
Collection: 2007-08-09
Camera: Nikon D200
Lens: Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Nikon
Location: Medicine Lake, Alberta
Date: Oct 25, 2007
Aperture: f 11
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/400
Galleries: Landscape, Nature
Date Uploaded: Oct 28, 2007

Shot RAW, converted/worked on in PSCS3

- Cropped/straightened
- Tonemapped a copy layer, used as layer mask (hide all) and brushed in sections where needed
- Dodged/burned on a couple 50% grey soft-focus layers
- Worked on colours (desaturated blue/cyan, changed yellows to a bit more pinkish tones, intensified reds/pinks)
- Blurred slightly overall
- USMed a number of times
- Added 10 px. black frame
- Resized, final colour & USM adjustment, saved for web.

-----

Thank you all! I was going for the "heida look", I guess it payed off :) Maybe a bit too much pink, and a bit sloppy editing ...

Anyway. gloda asked about dodge/burn in 50% gray layer. What you do is create one (or two if you want to do dodge/burn each in its own layer) layers on top of the image you want to dodge/burn, fill it with 50% gray, set to "soft light" mode. In PS there's an option right there when you create a new layer that allows you to fill ata 50% and set to soft light. Note that once you have this layer/s ready, the image will look unchanged. You then use the burn/dodge tools do burn/dodge away, it will create white or black smudges in the gray layers, but look like it's affecting the picture. After I'm done dodgeing/burning, it helps to blur the gray layer slightly (with gaussian) to make sure there are no visible streaks or sharp lines (obviously I didn't do such a good job of that in this image, he, he, he - I worked on it rather quickly, entered it not too long before rollover).

The advantage of dodge/burn in a gray soft light layer is that the colours of the original do not change that way, whereas if you dodge/burn directly on the image, they do. At least that's the way it seems to me.

Hope this helps!


Statistics
Place: 1 out of 137
Avg (all users): 7.6767
Avg (commenters): 8.7895
Avg (participants): 7.1569
Avg (non-participants): 8.0000
Views since voting: 18916
Views during voting: 402
Votes: 133
Comments: 125
Favorites: 117 (view)


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AuthorThread
10/04/2013 12:10:35 PM
This is gorgeous!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/08/2010 05:48:21 AM
Beautifully captured and processed. The lighting creates a surreal atmosphere. Well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/05/2010 12:08:00 PM
WOW!!! Very Beautiful!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/22/2010 09:05:00 AM
This is a really awesome pic, I have to admit, you have some lovely photos.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/24/2008 06:38:53 PM
WOW!!! WOW!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/10/2008 12:14:54 PM
I love this photo. Thanks for sharing tips! Very generous!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/05/2008 02:46:54 AM
amazing image Ursula
congrats on the blue well deserved
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/02/2008 07:14:06 PM
great capture and good post processing work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/10/2007 03:51:26 PM
terriffic shot. love the details on the mountains on the left. well done on the ribbon :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/10/2007 12:17:47 AM
It's been killing me not to be able to comment this awesome shot. Love it. Big congrats to you.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/09/2007 04:10:13 AM
Congrat´s Ursula!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/08/2007 04:25:38 PM
Congratulations on this spectacular image & finish! Simply beautiful...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/08/2007 03:45:25 AM
"The advantage of dodge/burn in a gray soft light layer is that the colours of the original do not change that way, whereas if you dodge/burn directly on the image, they do"

Not to mention that it's easy to undo/remove later.

Great job on this image. Absolutely stunning.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/07/2007 01:51:41 PM
Exquisite!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/07/2007 11:31:21 AM
Outstanding image, congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/07/2007 04:51:33 AM
Incredible capture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/07/2007 12:30:53 AM
Congrats Ursula! very Heidaish. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/06/2007 08:14:38 PM
another well deserved ribbon! congrats....is this from your rockies trip?
how was your time there?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/06/2007 02:01:10 PM
wow, great light! very well done, congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/06/2007 12:37:53 PM
WOW Ursula!
You're dangerous cause you can create MAGICAL stuff. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/06/2007 11:48:19 AM
Originally posted by LevT:

Originally posted by noisemaker:

This is a very nice image..
but call me ignorant, but I cannot see the relation of this photo to the challenge..

Well, the title does play a role in interpreting this image with respect to the challenge, but once you see them both, the title and the image, it kinda clicks beautifully. Granted, it is a subtle connection, but then again, not every image has to ram the concept down your throat :)


different folks, when i look at images I want to understand whats going on first without having to read the title. Have the image speak for itself
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/06/2007 09:53:05 AM
This was my only 10. An excelent image....congrats on the blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/06/2007 09:12:42 AM
holy schnikies Batman!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/06/2007 01:17:05 AM
ummmmmm.....this is absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!
everything is perfect.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/06/2007 01:13:21 AM
It's a cool location. and could be a great image, but your post-processing is sloppy. I would re-do it with a little more precision. I can see your "brush" strokes all along the mountains. Soory, it's a nice photo, but your post-processing, while being on the right track color and idea-wise, is just done very haphazardly.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 09:24:06 PM
I love that copper light. COTBR!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 08:56:55 PM
Sweet image for "the beginning of the end", with a powerful title to capture the escatalogical imagination. Congrats on your beautiful blue. I've you've got to know, I would have quickly switched places with you in this challenge finish! Teehee:) I appreciate your helpful insights in the PP details.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 08:24:59 PM
Best picture ever! I think its the tones is what I like best. Well, the whole picture actually! Many congratulations on your ribbon
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 08:22:09 PM
Nice one Ursula! Congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 07:37:29 PM
beautiful!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 06:07:50 PM
Amazing!! Congrats on the blue! This is beautiful! :D
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 05:57:07 PM
Congratulations on a well deserved blue with this absolutely stunning image!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 05:36:17 PM
Congratulations on the blue ribbon, this really is a stunning image!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 04:09:11 PM
ill just say this:

stunning
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 03:11:02 PM
Originally posted by noisemaker:

This is a very nice image..
but call me ignorant, but I cannot see the relation of this photo to the challenge..

Well, the title does play a role in interpreting this image with respect to the challenge, but once you see them both, the title and the image, it kinda clicks beautifully. Granted, it is a subtle connection, but then again, not every image has to ram the concept down your throat :)

Message edited by author 2007-11-05 16:54:16.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 01:41:13 PM
Congratulations, a stunning image indeed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:43:56 PM
Thanks for the additional details on PP.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:38:23 PM
Articulate and fabulous!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:33:27 PM
Absolutely beautiful. Congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:28:45 PM
Wow! Love this beautiful landscape! Congratulations on your blue ribbon!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:02:08 PM
Wow, sweet shot. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 10:37:21 AM
Wow! Most excellent. A beautiful and dramatic image. Congrats!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 10:28:56 AM
`nice birthday blue girly .. muchos congratulate amiga
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 10:18:52 AM
This is a very nice image..
but call me ignorant, but I cannot see the relation of this photo to the challenge..

-Dustin
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 09:55:54 AM
Ursula!!!!!!! You are an Opera Star in photography...the melody of this drama is just gorgeous!!! BRAVO!!!! (Encore...encore!!)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 09:54:28 AM
Ursula, congratulations on your blue! This is such an excellent image and fits the challenge perfectly.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 09:50:46 AM
Congratulations to you , Ursula ! Astounding image with excellent pp.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 09:34:25 AM
big congratulations ursula!! this is truely a stunning capture. so beautiful.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 09:34:02 AM
Ursula, I knew the minute I saw this that it would be "the one". Congratulations on flawless photography in every way -- and being properly rewarded for it!

  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 09:24:15 AM
This is stunning Ursula. Absolutely gorgeous & a well deserved win.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 09:08:14 AM
Just beautiful! Congrats on the ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 08:50:02 AM
Congrats on a well derserved first. A truely amazing shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 08:34:48 AM
Just may be one of the most beautiful shots I have seen in a long time. Congrats on a great score a WONDERFUL image and the Ribb!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 08:22:43 AM
congrats! this is beautiful!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 07:39:17 AM
congrats on the ribbon with this image that seems very nonursula but more ursula the more i lurk.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 07:38:11 AM
Congrats! Awesome shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 06:51:32 AM
Originally posted by goodman:

beautiful, congrats on your first ribbon. :p




Congrats! Beautiful shot. Only nit pick is the halos on the mountain peaks on the left.

  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 06:46:40 AM
Ursula - Absolutely stunning image. Congrats on an awesome result for such a worthy photo
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 06:44:24 AM
Ursula, this is amazing! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 06:37:19 AM
Congrats on your beautiful photo and your blue ribbon, well deserved.

Jack
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 06:36:30 AM
Congrats!!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 05:16:28 AM
amazing. stunning photo. congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 04:44:18 AM
stunning.well done/congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 03:51:57 AM
That's awesome. I haven't been around dpc much lately but I check in every now and then to see the ribbon winners. Lately not much has caught my eye - but this one certainly did.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 03:41:24 AM
Woah, that's well impressive.
How does that technique with the grey soft focus layer work, I've never heard of that. Could you please explain that?
On a side note, you might wait with adding the frame until all USMing is done, so as to avoid the thin line on its inside edge (most noteable in the upper corners).
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 03:19:38 AM
hey ursula ... an absolutely beautiful image .. STUNNING ..
the difference in scores between the first and second place was HUGE .. CONGRATULATIONS on your blue ribbon .. i'll just have to try harder .. !!! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 03:01:09 AM
Congrats on the ribbon! Great shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 02:49:51 AM
Ursula - stunning shot, and well deserved ribbon.

Congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 01:16:46 AM
Absolutely Stunning! Congratulations on a wonderful shot and the blue ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 01:12:54 AM
stunning. congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:57:50 AM
beautiful, congrats on your first ribbon. :p

  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:46:31 AM
Oh my goodness you are good! Ursula, this is amazing...glad to see you get the blue
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:43:22 AM
Congratulations!! This is the most gorgeous image I've ever seen..your editing skills are amazing!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:40:31 AM
Hey girl...you did great....congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:39:32 AM
Killer shot, Ursula. I envy you your extreme topography up there :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:38:14 AM
wow! breathtaking! congrats Ursula on the blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:35:22 AM
Holy Cow - this is MAGNIFICENT!

Well done of this very well earned ribbon!

Lisa
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:34:47 AM
A majestic yet haunting image. Sweet! Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:31:46 AM
What a great score Ursula, for this amazing BLUE winning image from you.....

I am so pleased you won the blue, as you so deserve this honor.....

Congratulations.....

Message edited by author 2007-11-05 00:40:48.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:30:27 AM
OMG, thank gods I returned in time to see this entry. This is so dark and natural. I was smitten by the title alone. I feel I might have to resort to distilling water someday.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:24:07 AM
Absolutely stunning image. Big congrats on winning, Ursula.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:17:37 AM
This is absolutely superb! Congrats Ursula!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:16:04 AM
Holy freakin' cow. I don't vote on a challenge and see what I miss? Awesome, my dear! I may have to learn to edit. Right after I get somewhere that has scenery like this. (I'm thinkin' it ain't gonna work on a vivid expanse of sand, but you never know!) Thanks for being an inspiration!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:16:02 AM
GO URS GO!! congrats!!
~ Anni
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:14:29 AM
What a nice birthday present you got yourself, Ursula! Beautiful shot, congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:12:54 AM
A beautiful shot from a very beautiful place. Way to go Ursula! A new favorite for me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:12:45 AM
sick.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:11:42 AM
Way to go Ursula. This was my top pick of the bunch. I am glad you won. Well deserved! Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:08:12 AM
Hurray Ursula!!!! This was and is an awesome shot!!! Congrats!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:06:07 AM
yeah i thought this was going to blue...awesome job Ursula!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:04:13 AM
There's the BLUE! Awesome shot. I had given it a 10! Amaaaaaazing!!! Congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:03:28 AM
Very slick looking, good job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:03:22 AM
Congrats Ursula. Fantastic shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:03:11 AM
Good one Ursula,congratulations on the blue..
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:02:07 AM
woo yea i knew this was gonna win! great job, congrats on the beautiful blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:01:45 AM
WOW!!! Awesome!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:01:17 AM
WOW. What a shot! Congrats, Ursula! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2007 12:01:13 AM
Way to go Ursula! #21 is an awesome shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
11/04/2007 11:25:02 PM
wow!...what an awesome capture. This sends such a powerful message. Great Job! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/04/2007 09:00:21 PM
Beautiful light. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/04/2007 01:42:28 PM
Ahh look at that glow.... Very nice composition and you went there at the right time ^.^ I think we can do a little bit more for the post processing. I will point to some spots: the uneven dodge and burn on the top left of the mountains, the dark area in the middle of the lake, and also the foreground details. This image has a great potential.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/03/2007 02:36:29 PM
stunning!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/03/2007 07:16:50 AM
OK, you got a good, no, a GREAT shot of a landscape, then shoehorned it into the challenge by means of the title, without the title, this shot could really say anything.. So I will mark you down a wee bit for that.. however, it really is a nice shot. 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/02/2007 04:46:24 PM
awesome
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/02/2007 07:04:07 AM
just bumping it up a bit to a 10. great colors and light.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/01/2007 05:33:09 PM
Excellent photo and well processed...8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/31/2007 11:55:25 PM
I'm cleaning up my act here and now!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/31/2007 08:28:55 PM
beautiful image - relation to the theme is hard for me to understand.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/31/2007 07:02:00 PM
Stunning.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/31/2007 04:55:19 PM
finally a good shot!!! I was getting disappointed...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/31/2007 01:05:34 PM
Breathtaking!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/31/2007 06:02:52 AM
A lovely scene but with heavy post processing clearly visable.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/30/2007 09:36:33 AM
Ohmygoodness! How breathtaking! A flawless 10 in my book!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/30/2007 07:09:33 AM
cool. is this tonemapped?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/29/2007 11:32:13 PM
This is truly a beautiful image but I have a bit of difficulty in associating this scene with the the "Beginning of the End" of anything. I do hope for your sake that I am in the minority of people that think like this, but I do fear that some might view this as a DNMC image. Good luck.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/29/2007 11:16:39 PM
This is an awesome shot. The lighting, the contrast, and I love the rays. Reflection with me is always a plus as well. Well done and I will be suprised if this isn't top ten or ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/29/2007 09:09:37 PM
Ah! this is going to ribbon i know it! beautiful shot, great lighting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/29/2007 02:07:30 PM
my goodness.....i am in love
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/29/2007 01:21:25 PM
And we have a winner only 10 given out this contest I dont give many but this image warrants it. Wow good luck psart
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/29/2007 12:29:34 PM
I'm not voting, but have to comment that this photo is beautifully composed and processed in shadow, color and light. Powerful drama! Well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/29/2007 12:10:06 PM
You've done a great job capturing the light here. I wish the highlights on the water weren't blown out as much as they are, but overall the efect is moody and very effective.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/29/2007 07:31:11 AM
wowowowowow love it winner 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/29/2007 02:37:57 AM
stunning landscape...great atmospherics...9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/29/2007 02:36:12 AM
Wow. The post- dodge and burn really works for me. 9.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/29/2007 12:32:51 AM
Awesome!
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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