hdr weather +

[HansE]

Three images +-2 stops verses the middle one put through the wringer for comparison.

#1 HDR


#2
As manipulated. It has other possibilities as well.

I can see me coming back to have another fiddle with this. I can see me brushing some of the top of #1 into #2

[Isac]

Both look good Hans. Did you adjust the HDR at all after it was created? I find when there's really bright and very dark areas in a shot, that the middle one doesn't do a good job, whereas 3 or 5 shots blended as HDR give a much better look, as long as it's not over cooked.

[HansE]

Yes ran it through curves to get a bit of contrast in the middle. What do you think of having the sky from the hdr on the bottom one?

[Isac]

I think the 2 images are very similar. In this image, the sky is the hero (it's just stunning) and the foreground is basically a silhouette. So I'd just add a gradient layer (black to white set to Overlay or Soft Light mode) which shows the detail in the sky and Curves/Shadows to highlight the foreground. Gradients are a great way to lift colour and detail in skies.
Here's my sample. This is only my view and other members I'm sure will not agree, but it's all subjective as Phil says.

[HansE]

Granted but it's nice having something to play with,
That sky is looking biblical the way you have it

[Isac]

When you're "getting on" playing can get great results and be very satisfying indeed.
I'm not conversant with anything biblical so I'll assume it's a favourable comment

[HansE]

Next night same same but different.

[Isac]

Amazing sight and great colours. They need to be lifted to give it some pop.

[HansE]

I seem to have a bit of trouble getting the hdr to brighten up a bit. Did brush the sky in from a mask

[Isac]

Just add a gradient (black to white) set to OVERLAY an mask out what you want to keep in the original image background layer. You can add a hue/sat layer to pop the colours a bit.

[HansE]

I will have a go at that when I get a minute. Into computer bowels at present.

[HansE]

I redit the single image. Call it practice. Didn't use a colour layer just blend modes on two layers brushed together.

[Isac]

Worked OK. Just need to pop the foreground a tad.