Landscape Dramatic Clouds Edited in Topaz

**Bruce Clark** · 06-27-2018, 07:17 AM - **2 Likes**

After watching a few youtube videos on dramatically editing skies, I came across on old photo from our NZ trip whic seemed a logical candidate for some heavy treatment.

Too much? I toned it down from the first cut but perhaps I need to drop it again. Options are limited as this was shot in JPEG well before I have even heard or RAW processing so a lot of highlights are pretty much cooked.

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**CharLac** · 06-27-2018, 07:27 AM

Usually I am not a fan of over-the-top PP but this really works for me. Well done!

bertwert · 06-27-2018, 10:38 AM

I don't think it's too much, and I generally agree with the opinion held by Charlie above, but this one is just right

SJM · 06-27-2018, 11:12 AM

HI Bruce. I like it. I like playing with Topaz.

pero · 06-27-2018, 01:14 PM

To me it is definitely too much. I may be old fashioned but i prefer photos to remain photos, and i think this looks more like computer graphics. But please don't let that stop you from doing it again, we're all different

Setting my personal taste aside i think the processing is good in keeping some detail in the shadows, despite the extreme contrast.

**henrikpedersen33** · 06-27-2018, 01:55 PM

Originally posted by Bruce Clark

After watching a few youtube videos on dramatically editing skies, I came across on old photo from our NZ trip whic seemed a logical candidate for some heavy treatment.

Too much? I toned it down from the first cut but perhaps I need to drop it again. Options are limited as this was shot in JPEG well before I have even heard or RAW processing so a lot of highlights are pretty much cooked.

Well this picture is dramatic!
It is not naturally, I would say, but as a piece of art, it goes very well.
I'd say, just leave it as it is.
But for the future - always shot in RAW ;-)

**Bruce Clark** · 06-27-2018, 04:28 PM

Thanks for all the comments.

After a day or so looking at it, I feel it is just too busy. Perhaps it is not quite the right image for this sort of treatment.I think for now I will leave this as it is as an experiment to see what is possible. I almost always shoot RAW unless I have a specific reason not to. I will attach the out of camera JPEG. It was a few years ago now and I don't recall the output settings used, probably VIVID with the contrast, and saturation boosted.

Thanks again for all the thoughts.

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HoutHans · 06-28-2018, 06:49 AM

Wow, compared to the OOC jpeg, the first image is allmost unrecognizable. I'll side with those who consider the image overprocessed and indeed too busy in the skies.

torashi · 06-28-2018, 10:27 AM

Wow, I would say you did a very good job at PP. The original image is unrecognizable and the cropping was just right. I really don't like that kind of processing, specially on portraits, but I think it works very well in this case making a normal travel picture stand out. You could have it printed on metal and I'm sure it would sell.

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smf · 06-28-2018, 01:15 PM

I like the originally posted image, and I like it even more when I crop down from the top a bit.
Best wishes.

**Bruce Clark** · 06-28-2018, 07:28 PM

Originally posted by smf

I like the originally posted image, and I like it even more when I crop down from the top a bit.
Best wishes.

Too much of the sky. That is something I did not think of. Thanks for the suggestion.

regor · 06-28-2018, 09:15 PM

It would be interesting to see the original.

**Bruce Clark** · 06-28-2018, 10:42 PM

Originally posted by regor

It would be interesting to see the original.

Original already posted below. The colour version. Shot in JPEG on a K-7.

regor · 06-29-2018, 08:21 AM

Originally posted by Bruce Clark

Original already posted below. The colour version. Shot in JPEG on a K-7.

Tx Bruce, sorry I missed it, the different composition threw me off.

mhrish · 06-30-2018, 12:49 PM

I like the contrast in the sky, but what bothers me is the sharpness. i think if it was softened, it would still look dramatic and still look more realistic at the same time.

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06-27-2018, 07:27 AM	#2
CharLac Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Ottawa Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,419	Usually I am not a fan of over-the-top PP but this really works for me. Well done!

06-27-2018, 10:38 AM	#3
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	I don't think it's too much, and I generally agree with the opinion held by Charlie above, but this one is just right

06-27-2018, 11:12 AM	#4
SJM Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Northeastern Ohio Photos: Albums Posts: 1,358	HI Bruce. I like it. I like playing with Topaz.

06-27-2018, 01:14 PM	#5
pero Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Malmö, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 128	To me it is definitely too much. I may be old fashioned but i prefer photos to remain photos, and i think this looks more like computer graphics. But please don't let that stop you from doing it again, we're all different Setting my personal taste aside i think the processing is good in keeping some detail in the shadows, despite the extreme contrast.

06-27-2018, 01:55 PM	#6
henrikpedersen33 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Roskilde, Denmark Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,624	Originally posted by Bruce Clark After watching a few youtube videos on dramatically editing skies, I came across on old photo from our NZ trip whic seemed a logical candidate for some heavy treatment. Too much? I toned it down from the first cut but perhaps I need to drop it again. Options are limited as this was shot in JPEG well before I have even heard or RAW processing so a lot of highlights are pretty much cooked. Well this picture is dramatic! It is not naturally, I would say, but as a piece of art, it goes very well. I'd say, just leave it as it is. But for the future - always shot in RAW ;-)

06-28-2018, 06:49 AM	#8
HoutHans Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Appingedam Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,117	Wow, compared to the OOC jpeg, the first image is allmost unrecognizable. I'll side with those who consider the image overprocessed and indeed too busy in the skies.

06-28-2018, 10:27 AM	#9
torashi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Medellín Posts: 1,322	Wow, I would say you did a very good job at PP. The original image is unrecognizable and the cropping was just right. I really don't like that kind of processing, specially on portraits, but I think it works very well in this case making a normal travel picture stand out. You could have it printed on metal and I'm sure it would sell. Gesendet von meinem Mi A1 mit Tapatalk

06-28-2018, 01:15 PM	#10
smf Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Midland, MI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,083	I like the originally posted image, and I like it even more when I crop down from the top a bit. Best wishes.

06-28-2018, 07:28 PM	#11
Bruce Clark Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ocean Grove, Victoria Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,458 Original Poster	Originally posted by smf I like the originally posted image, and I like it even more when I crop down from the top a bit. Best wishes. Too much of the sky. That is something I did not think of. Thanks for the suggestion.

06-28-2018, 09:15 PM	#12
regor Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Victoria, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 356	It would be interesting to see the original.

06-28-2018, 10:42 PM	#13
Bruce Clark Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ocean Grove, Victoria Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,458 Original Poster	Originally posted by regor It would be interesting to see the original. Original already posted below. The colour version. Shot in JPEG on a K-7.

06-29-2018, 08:21 AM	#14
regor Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Victoria, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 356	Originally posted by Bruce Clark Original already posted below. The colour version. Shot in JPEG on a K-7. Tx Bruce, sorry I missed it, the different composition threw me off.

06-30-2018, 12:49 PM	#15
mhrish Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Tupelo, MS Posts: 84	I like the contrast in the sky, but what bothers me is the sharpness. i think if it was softened, it would still look dramatic and still look more realistic at the same time.