Country walk

[Snappers]

I took this picture whilst on a walk through the country.
I know the hill on the left side is under exposed but could not seem to get it right in PP.

What do you think?
http://www.proudphotography.com/forum/gallery/files/7/4/8/sheep1_copy.jpg

[jonrayner]

I like the shot, but have you got some rain 'splats' on the lens?

[gjtoth]

I like this, Andy. It seems a bit under-exposed but I like th composition. Might want to try and clone out the utility wires. They detract from the overall scene.

[jonrayner]

Good point about the utility wires!

[Snappers]

Yes Jon, Probably. It was a very wet day!

Cheers Gary, I'll give that a try tomorrow.

I have a raw file of the image so I'll play about with the exposure too.

[jonrayner]

[QUOTE=Snappers;7489]Yes Jon, Probably. It was a very wet day!

QUOTE]

Sorry, I was not criticising, merely asking. I really like the shot.

[Snappers]

No, No problem. I didnt take offence to your comment. I can see what you mean by the rain spots. If it is one thing I learnt whilst I was on this holiday, was that I need to get some micro fibre clothes etc for wiping my lens whilst in the field.

[Snappers]

Heres a quick attempt at playing with the image. Is this any better?
I know the rain spots are still there but not sure of how to deal with them and if anyone can advise on how to improve the exposure on the hill on the right I would be greatfull.

http://www.proudphotography.com/forum/gallery/files/7/4/8/country_walk3.jpg

[gjtoth]

Heres a quick attempt at playing with the image. Is this any better?
I know the rain spots are still there but not sure of how to deal with them and if anyone can advise on how to improve the exposure on the hill on the right I would be greatfull.

http://www.proudphotography.com/forum/gallery/files/7/4/8/country_walk3.jpg

NICE! As far as the raindrops: Call 'em mist... :D This looks almost like a Biblical setting in my mind.

[LensBaby]

I agree with Gary, it looks very biblical. I really really like this photo Andy.

[dkippen]

Andy -

I can picture Jesus with his flock preaching a sermon. This is one to be framed.

[jerryph]

Serene!

I am happy that I am still at a stage that even the small things still impress me. Its always pleasing to see how small changes make such big changes in the mood or look of a picture.

The first one looks a touch underexposed and I see that you had it set to Aperture priority, and F/10 - 1/400th. I know exactly why it looked slightly underexposed. It is becuase your camera metered off the sky rather than off the sheep or ground or tree. There are times that lowering the camera on purpose (like pointing it at the base of the tree or a little lower), pressing the shutter 1/2 way down, getting the focus and metering done, then recompose the scene by framing what you want in the pic and snapping off the pic would result in a lightly brighter picture.

Try this technique out for fun. :)

This pic is definately a keeper!

[Snappers]

Thanks Jerry, I'll have to try that next time I am in a similar situation.

I would have liked a better sky behind the tree but like I said it was a horrible day really.

Is there a way in Photoshop to remove that sky (leaving the tree in place) and putting in a blue sky or similar? Or is that too difficult with all the branches

[jerryph]

It's doable, Andy, but its not a task that you will accomplish in a few seconds. Use the magic wand for selections and copy all that you want to another layer and then maybe paste it over another picture of a sky that you like better. Personally, I think that the clouds give it personality! :)

There is a new photoshop plug-in (C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS3\Plug-Ins\Nik Software\Selective Tool\Help\index.html) that recently came out. Nik Software's Viveza. Apparently (I have not tried it yet), with this you could select the area below the sky, and brighten it up a little using a "control point".

Looks promising.