Are there any good tips out there for processing foregrounds and backgrounds seperately? I've tried various ways but have a very hard time having that treeline look normal. The only way I can currently do this is end up with a black treeline. I guess whenever I make a mask while adjusting say levels on a new layer I always end up using the eraser tool and going slowly along the treeline, only to get either tired or frustrated it doesn't look right. All the other ways I've seen seem to always have that white halo look. I know this is a pretty "basic" thing and figured somewhere out there there has to be a real way to do this.
That storm image was taken near Hill City Kansas June 9, 2005. I would LOVE to know the real way to seperate the two and have it look natural without using the eraser deal.
You can try a combo approach. Use a layer mask, or and adjustment channel and use a narrow gradient along the tree line. Then in the area of interest (the foreground and tree line), which is selected by the gradient via layer mask or adjustment channel, apply the shadow/highlights tool. There are probably better ways to do this, but this is probably worth a try.
Very dramatic image , and one which would have me heading for the nearest cover !
If yu have PS CS 2 , try bracketing , say , 3 shots at + / - 1 or 2 stops , and combine using the HDR software . [ HDR = High Dynamic Range ] . On tne occasions I have tried this technique it works very well and leaves no trace of halos . If you have time , extend the bracket up and down in similar increments and combine as before for even better results . Otherwise it looks as if you're stuck with the less effective and much more cumbersome methods . Good luck , and stay safe !
First, great shot! And unfortunately, I've seen your shots all over the net and have even received them in e-mails (:.
Hugh Stockton posts here often and is an excellent photographer who has been very kind in giving me some great pointers. He shared the best masking technique I've ever used and is now part of my processing. Shoot me an e-mail and I will be glad to point you to the instructions.
First - welcome to this forum! I spent quite a while on your website this morning and you have a lot of amazing storm images. I don't think I want to be the guy that insures your equipment/car
I had a brief play with the image you posted, on the web version there is no longer information in the tree line to be salvaged. If the image is in raw there might still be some color and contrast there. You can try processing the raw image twice with diferent exposures and blending them in photoshop. There are gurus on this forum that will explain the process better then I can.
If you can bracket the exposure with the camera set up on a tripod you can get some great results in Photoshop CS2 as mentioned above. I just don't get the feeling that you have a lot of time to set up tripods, and take multiple exposures.
All that being said I don't think you need to make changes to the above image for it to be awesome! A level adjustment brings out some more detail in the clouds, but you loose the dam scarry feel.
