Grand Prismatic Morning: RAW or Well done?

[Paul Kammen]

Hi all,

I'm working on images from Yellowstone, and went one early morning to the Grand Prismatic area.

Following are two images, and looking for feedback on if it's too "overcooked" in photoshop.

The first is the image pretty much as shot with some minor adjustments in RAW.

The second is using some contrast enhancements and a grad ND filter in post.

Thanks for the feedback,
Paul

[Paul Kammen]

This was shot with a Canon 7D Mark II, 10-22mm lens at 10mm, f10, ISO 200

[Ryan von Linden]

I like the foreground in the processed version, the sky is a bit much for my tastes though. I think there's a happy medium some where in there between the two versions, maybe dial back the contrast and play with saturation or perhaps split toning for some warmth in the highlights.

[Paul Kammen]

Thanks, working on it - I think I kind of like this version, a little less enhanced on the sky.

[Don Railton]

2nd image OP looks overly cooked to me, especially the blue/black sky. The whole comp is a bit tight all round i feel..

[Andrew McLachlan]

I like the composition in the original post best but prefer the lighting Pane #4...I would revisit your RAW file and get the light in the clouds to resemble that of Pane #4.

[Adhika Lie]

Not an easy shot. I agree with Andrew's assessment here. The 2nd post in OP is definitely over cooked for me.

[Don Lacy]

Hi Paul, Agree with Andrew rework the file on the fist image to give the clouds just a bit more pop and color but not as much as the second image in pane 1