Further lessons and practice today centered upon sharpening and retouching techniques. Not so much about the outcomes but largely about the controls, tools, panels, and dialog to better understand limits and best practices. To get more thoroughly familiar with Bridge, Photoshop, and Lightroom and their relationships with each other.
Today’s time was spent on blending practice. Several different images where some came out very hideous. This one was a final practice image for the day. Some photos I took quite some while ago.
Combined the same image across numerous layers to get an adjusted image with lens correction. Interwoven between two images a soft-light algorithm was applied with 50% opacity. Selective erasure and sharpening by an entirely different methodology. What you’re seeing are actually two copies of the same image combined and re-sampled together.
The depth of learning continues to better automate workflow through Actions. At least for photos that come together in quantity for outings. The manual process will stay indefinitely and with greater attention simply to get more from the creativity that follows. There is so much more to learn and practice.
Picked up many new capabilities given significant advancements that have happened with process tools. Among the various new techniques taught and demonstrated, I’ve learned that selective and non-destructive editing of RAW images within Lightroom provides for a much more interesting experience. Where brushes and value selections among object layers give back a completely different way of showing an image. To get it to say something more or different than what came right from the camera.
Here is a random photo I took of two Mariposa Lilies. One prominent and one smaller, but kept back at a darker exposure. The image above processed to accentuate the difference between the two in an effort to communicate meaning. There were other overall curves and pixel density adjustments that were made as well.
The original RAW image shown below is directly out of the camera (converted to JPG). Time and practice will bring better results.
The release of Adobe’s Creative Cloud had me signing up without any thought or regret. So went straight from CS3 to CC. Several leaps ahead among versions, but the results are absolutely impressive. Such a difference to support the work of inspiration and creativity. I really love the change.
Photoshop and Lightroom integration with my Nikon is far better than my prior set up with Bridge. I’ve learned a lot about my new Nikon full-frame set up with FX lenses. To compliment that with these tools gives so much more editing control over images captured. Where there is much more ahead for far better quality.
Here’s an example with a photo that I took not long ago. Notice the difference? A sort of deceptive way of compensating for a small over-saturated segment of the scene.
Well, finally got around to putting the Dome Rock photos together from that unique time in Sequoia wilderness quite some while ago. There are lots of outings like that where there were no images or galleries posted, but this one was of a very different time that I miss.
It just feels good to get consecutive outings done this year so far. And to catch up on galleries and photo collections that I’ve neglected to post.
More than once today, I’ve thought about our time in the mountains for all these years. A blessing and a privilege, or a gift because of unmerited favor. Whether by grace or circumstance, did we really orchestrate circumstances to see what we have seen, feel, and understand what was upon us? What I am very much grateful for is common for some, I suppose.
Yosemite’s inspiration and awe are just as strong today as it was well over 15 years ago. I can remember hiking back from Harden lake in Yosemite and taking a rest under a tree. It was an overnight backpack, and I was exhausted, but not quite back to the trailhead. Under the tree with my back at rest against the trunk, I looked up at the leaves and branches swaying in the breeze straight above me. I could feel the same breeze with my eyes closed, but while soaked and in over my head with where I was at. The breeze didn’t just make its way over me but through me. And I think just maybe it was more than the wind of nature but something more where the wind reaches the soul, with its sway and persuasion.
Something happened that day right then and there. Something changed and that is when it all began.
A slide show above for our recent time in Kings Canyon. The River Trail for quite some while. Enjoy the photos of route and the area.
Today was a very rewarding time in Sequoia to explore a well-known meadow to get away, open the spirit, and see what the time might bring. It didn’t take long to get separated from visitors, and in no time, I had the meadow to myself some distance away. Quiet, still, and cold, I saw beauty in the wildness of this place.
Today we spent time exploring Tokopah Canyon. We haven’t been along this route in Winter, so we thought it worthwhile to give it a try. The visit was largely to accomplish a few objectives and the wilderness was a benefit on top of it all. It was mostly to check ourselves, our gear and equipment for further outings scheduled ahead.
From our time on the River Trail in Kings Canyon yesterday, we set out to see what the day would bring. We spent this time together in an effort to learn and explore. A time to develop our relationship together and live within the best of wilderness beauty.
Very few people on the trail beyond about half a mile. The farther we got from the road and suspension bridge the more it cleared out of visitors. Along the trail for but just a couple of miles we were lost to ourselves, inspired and alive together. Hoping to remember these times together we are in full acceptance of one another and deeply moved by what was before us. In all honesty, it is all too much. We are merely drinking the river that gives its life. By its reflection, its spray, and waves crashing onto the shore, we only able to grasp so much of what it is and what it meant. For me a spiritual place, for Ryan an incredibly challenging area of mystery and wonder.
Were it not for the river in the wilderness, the wild places we visit just would not have any meaning or life. Rivers give life and they carve vast mountains and rock over a long range of time. The cascades, falls, streams, creeks, lakes, rivers or tributaries have all their own character and beauty. They give their host energy and renewal. They inspire and speak of a force unstoppable. They move swiftly and steadily at times. Highly perilous and terrifying while unmatched in beauty and attraction.
Unmoved and calm, the river still washes, cleanses, and reminds anyone of its haunting presence.
The photos of the Tenaya Canyon loop trip are loaded. In one of the images here, I am reminded about Ryan asking about the people of the wide gaping mouth. The place of the Yosemite under Chief Tenaya. Here we sprawled our way out along his creekside bank. The father fully aware of the chief’s place here and what happened to his three sons. The son here with me learning more about the wilderness and his place within in it.
So I am reminded about the Ahwahneechee legends of long ago who were the dwellers of this land who cared for it. Yet still oblivious of their significance. Once we returned to our home, grey skies, and asphalt, Ryan summarily asked when are going back.
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