Storm in Gold (Repost)

[Rudi van den Heever]

Well, I already posted a version of this image here http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php/104023 . So... I took all the comments to heart, good and bad, and decided to do something about it - I read through all Hougaard Malan's tutorials and reworked this image! :2eyes2:

If you haven't seen Hougaard's work and tutorials, have a look here http://www.hougaardmalan.com/blog/category/tutorials/ It surely rocks and I think the end result of my first attempt at following these tutorials in the processing of this image, turned out OK...:tinysmile_shy_t:

This time it is a blend of 3 exposures....:w3 What do you think?

(I even applied some lens correction, after I discovered the "little tool" in LR4 as suggested... :bugeyed:)


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[Don Railton]

Hi Rudi...

Why dident you do this the first time...!:bg3: Well I know why, its the power of BPN....

Seriously though, I think this repost is a lot stronger and you have one nice image here you can show the little one in a few years time...

well done

DON

[Morkel Erasmus]

Rework is miles better, Rudi :5
Hougaard sure is a legend, wish I could get him to come and contribute on this forum.

Blending back a darker exposure for a better sunstar worked a treat.
Luminosity on the distant hills/mountains is a lot better - smoother look and more realistic.
I just think the sky is still a touch dark for the FG (or vice versa). I would lighten the darker parts of the sky just a tad?

Overall, great job! Looking forward to more "Linruscapes" :cheers:

[Rachel Hollander]

Rudi - very well done. Much improved from the op.

TFS,
Rachel

[Katharina Reddig]

Rudi - fantastic repost. I really like this shot and agree that Hougaard's tutorials show a great method of blending exposures.
Well done
Katharina

[Rudi van den Heever]

Thanks guys, really appreciate the feedback seeing that I am new at this genre...:S3:

Morkel, you are just sweet talking me to convince me that I should go to the Mara with you next year...:t3 But please do continue as I am rather enjoying the attention!:tinysmile_shy_t:

[Rudi van den Heever]

By the way... do I get money for the B&H adds on my images?!:eek3:

[Morkel Erasmus]

Morkel, you are just sweet talking me to convince me that I should go to the Mara with you next year...But please do continue as I am rather enjoying the attention!

Haven't I always "sweet-talked" your work? If by sweet-talk you mean, constructively critiquing and stating what I like about it? :c3:
Anyway, you know you want to come to the Mara with me...I'm just fun to be around :eek3:

[Morkel Erasmus]

By the way... do I get money for the B&H adds on my images?!

The guys are working on the location of the ads behind the scenes.

[Andrew McLachlan]

Hi Rudi, very nicely done. Love everything about it!

[Rudi van den Heever]

Thanks for the feedback Morkel and Andrew! Much appreciated!

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Rudi,
I think this works very well! Nice job tweaking this!

[Rudi van den Heever]

Thanks for the feedback Roman!

[Gabi Sandu]

Superb colors and well composed. Very nicely done.