Tag: texture

Playing with Topaz Adjust

Posted on by Nick Roberts
Kansas Tractors
Kansas Tractors

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Today I thought I’d play around with some images of old tractors I came across in Kansas a couple of years ago. I was riding through there on my way to Utah when I spotted a junkyard full of farm equipment. As you can see from the shadows it was high noon which is usually thought to be a time of day to avoid shooting anything. I have found over the past few years that photos taken at this time of day seem to really respond to Topaz Adjust treatment.

This was a single frame that I first opened in Topaz Adjust. I used the Adjust 4 presets and chose Spicify as my starting point. I dialed it down a little before adding some color adjustments to the Cyan and Blue in Aperture 3. Before that I applied one of the vignettes and a black border in Topaz Adjust.

Black and White HDR

Posted on by Nick Roberts
Untitled
Untitled

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Sometimes simple is better….

I like using NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 for preparing black and white images. Using the bracketed exposures really helps intensify the textures and contrasts within an image. After merging the three exposures -2, 0, and +2 EV I returned the image to Aperture 3 where I applied a B&W setting with a blue filter. Some sharpening and contrast adjustments were applied and a slight vignette was used to finish the image.

Cold Steel Morning

Posted on by Nick Roberts
Cold Steel Morning
Cold Steel Morning

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This was a three frame bracket set -2, 0, +2 EV merged and tone mapped in NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 starting with the Deep 1 Preset. I made some minor changes to the amount and method strength. I also dropped a control point on the sky in the background where I adjusted the exposure and contrast. I then returned the image to Aperture 3 and adjusted the overall exposure, cleaned up some dust spots, and enhanced the vibrance slightly.

Texture Tuesday

Posted on by Nick Roberts
Big Four Connector #1
Big Four Connector #1

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These images are detail shots of the massive nuts that are at the junction of the bridge spans. The nuts are at least 12 inches in diameter and when I first noticed them I wondered how big the wrench must have been that was used to tighten them. They are visible at the ends of each bridge span where it connects to the next span. They are down behind the curb; you can also see that the handrail looks different where it goes past them.

These images are single exposures that were first tone mapped in NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 them taken into Color Efex Pro 4 where I used the detail extractor preset to emphasize the texture on the surfaces. I then returned them to Aperture 3 where I adjusted vibrance, contrast and sharpening.

Big Four Connector #2
Big Four Connector #2

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This image went through the same post processing routine as the one above. These colors are all there it just takes opening your mind and eyes to see them when you are photographing them. I don’t change the colors in my images but I do enhance their luminance when I get them into my digital darkroom.

The next time you are up on the Big Four Bridge take a look at these connectors. If you bring your camera try to remember that there is more to shoot on the Big Four Bridge than sunsets and bridge architecture; look for images in the textures and juxtapositions of surfaces that are all around you.

Monday Morning Mood

Posted on by Nick Roberts
Stormy Morning on the Ohio River
Stormy Morning on the Ohio River

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I have been doing more experimenting with combining various software in my processing. For this image I used NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 to merge my three shot bracket set. I did some initial tone mapping there and then returned it to Aperture 3 for more refinement. After that I took it into OnOne Perfect Effects and applied some of the filters there at very low strength to bring out more detail in the sky. I’m pleased with this image because it doesn’t exhibit a lot of haloing even after using multiple filters.