I've just coincidentally reprocessed a shot of Oceanside City Pier that I took late last year. And I found it interesting just how different the final image is, considering I started from the same RAW file. I guess post-processing has much more of an influence on the image than you'd think at first... and also that I'm either learning or at least changing my preferences as time goes on.
I've just coincidentally reprocessed a shot of Oceanside City Pier that I took late last year. And I found it interesting just how different the final image is, considering I started from the same RAW file. I guess post-processing has much more of an influence on the image than you'd think at first... and also that I'm either learning or at least changing my preferences as time goes on.
Not a big shock to me that you pulled that second image from the original file. Having said that, I like the first image alot better. (Other than the obvious horizon tilt). I would use that as a base for any further tweaking myself. Could use a bit of sharpening, straightening, a little contrast adjust, you know, the usual fare. The second image just doesn't have the same depth to it that I see in the first.
I liked the golden tone and colors in the first one as well, I just was glad that I could get clearer and greater detail in the second. Part of it is that I've been finding a lot of my earlier work had excessive contrast and looked forced, so I'm biased towards lower-contrast looks for the moment. Knee-jerk, I know... but I do keep learning at least.
There's definitely a mood and a depth in the first image that I'd like to keep... I just don't know how yet!
Actually, I'd like a combination of the two. Rather, take the tones of the sky of second image as they are right at the horizon and extend those no farther than 1/3d from the horizon, letting the tones graduate to where they are on the first image.
In other words, lightening the tones of the sky just near the horizon will increase the aerial perspective of the image and give it more depth. But you want to keep the sky darker toward the edges (closer to the camera).
