Your R System Images - January 2025

[Chris Summers]

View attachment 34322View attachment 34323So probably not to most people’s taste but this weeks multiple exposure class had us working with the bottom 8 blend modes in photoshop. We could do as few as two or as many layers as we want. Here are two of my favorites both had 4 layers. The top 3 used either difference, subtract or exclusion in various combinations.

Very cool and clever. I'm always learning with Photoshop!

 

[Chris Summers]

I took my 200-800mm lens out the other day but wasn't much to shoot. A brown pelican flew fairly high overhead so I took a few shots. With a bright but dull sky he was underexposed but as it was a RAW file I was able to pull some detail and play with it. What's that saying? When you get lemons, make lemonade!

So, I made some LR adjustments, crop, exposure tone, the usual stuff. The shadow side was really noisy so I took it into Topaz Denoise AI which helped. Then I had an idea. What if I went to Photoshop and put him on a better sky image. I've got around 300 sky images but I wanted something fairly simple, not some dramatic Caribbean sunset.

In the end what I got was ok. Whether it's better than what I started with is up to the individual. But that bird it pretty sharp considering what I had to start with and the distance and motion. Really liking this lens!

1. unprocessed dng file
2. processed in LR and Topaz DeNoise
3. Sky replacement in PS Beta

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[Bucolic Old Sir Henry]

Hi Gareth,

Two very contrasting, but equally fascinating, shots.

The daisies (plus matching visitor) are beautifully shot and presented, the stunning falcon (with surprised ex-pigeon) is a wonderful low-light capture.

Well done all-round - and thank you for sharing...

P&K

Thanks Phil!

 

[Chris Summers]

Just killed an hour down by the river as sunset approached. Some white pelicans off on a sandbar in the distance, but with the 200-800mm on the R7 they seemed much closer.

 

[PKM-UK]

I took my 200-800mm lens out the other day but wasn't much to shoot. A brown pelican flew fairly high overhead so I took a few shots. With a bright but dull sky he was underexposed but as it was a RAW file I was able to pull some detail and play with it. What's that saying? When you get lemons, make lemonade!

So, I made some LR adjustments, crop, exposure tone, the usual stuff. The shadow side was really noisy so I took it into Topaz Denoise AI which helped. Then I had an idea. What if I went to Photoshop and put him on a better sky image. I've got around 300 sky images but I wanted something fairly simple, not some dramatic Caribbean sunset.

In the end what I got was ok. Whether it's better than what I started with is up to the individual. But that bird it pretty sharp considering what I had to start with and the distance and motion. Really liking this lens!

1. unprocessed dng file
2. processed in LR and Topaz DeNoise
3. Sky replacement in PS BetaView attachment 34432View attachment 34433View attachment 34434

Hi Chris,

A fine example of the benefits which can be gained by shooting raw and 'giving it a go' in post.

(I've ended up with a fair few interesting outcomes from what many would consider lost souls).


Ultimately, you've captured a tack sharp shot of a wonderful creature, with the perfect pose and plenty of feather and facial detail uncovered.

(As for the ethics of sky replacement, I know which version catches my eye - so bring it on!).


I think these 'how I did this' examples are interesting and inspirational - thank you for sharing...

Phil

 

[PKM-UK]

Just killed an hour down by the river as sunset approached. Some white pelicans off on a sandbar in the distanceView attachment 34447View attachment 34448View attachment 34449 but with the 200-800mm on the R7 they seemed much closer.

Hi Chris,

Fascinating captures of wonderful and (for us) exotic creatures, with plenty of detail in evidence.

The colours are leaning towards pastel, adding to the calm and peaceful ambiance of the scene.

Thank you for sharing...

P&K

 

[AOC]

A duck in tow at Pohick Bay in Fairfax VA

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[PKM-UK]

A duck in tow at Pohick Bay in Fairfax VAView attachment 34463

Hi Art,

An eye (and unfortunate duck) catching image - both entrancing and (mildly) alarming.

Nailed on focus/ settings producing glorious details and colours - including a terrifyingly determined and icy expression from the protagonist.

Quite a sight - thank you for sharing...

P&K

 

[PKM-UK]

My final post this month features another processing workflow (of my shot and edit).

Software used: Adobe LrC/ PS with Tony Kuyper Panels, DxO PL Elite/ Nik Collection (Sharpener Output) and Topaz Labs Photo AI.

Phil

(Usual caveat - sadly, I am not God's gift to processing, but if you're interested in what I do - here you go. I don’t do exactly the same thing each time, but this represents a typical edit for this subject type. The objective was to produce a clean, detailed and colour rich 'fun' image with emphasised subject eye pop).


1. In the beginning - raw file uploaded to LrC. (Unedited/ converted to jpg for upload here).

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2. Raw file sent to DxO PL E using plug-in - Colour Rendering, Lens Correction and NR applied.

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3. DNG file exported to LrC - minor settings/ mask adjustments (lower part of subject's eye and a few over-cooked highlights) and 5:4 crop applied.

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4. TIFF file sent to PS - Healing of minor annoyances (to me!). TK9 Panels - subtle Paint Contrast to areas of subject’s feathers, minor Vignette and subject Spotlight. TPAI - minor NR to background only, minor sharpening and NR to subject and to subject’s eye area. Nik SO - minor sharpening (masked out of selected areas in PS). TK9 Panels - subtle Paint Contrast applied to areas of the background. PS - Resize for RF-Shooters forum image size format.

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5. In the end, there you go - what a little cutie…

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