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Storm clouds

© Peter W. Marks

Storm clouds

Uploaded: December 01, 2013

Comments

Michael Kelly level-deluxe December 01, 2013

Love the light in the clouds – makes them look translucent. Perhaps just a touch of noise reduction would make this even better. #1554572

Kalena Randall December 01, 2013

I agree with Michael on this. The color is beautiful, but a touch of noise reduction might be necessary. #10912799

Peter W. Marks December 02, 2013

My first reaction Mike and Kalena was "there isn't any noise even when I crank up the magnification to 500%" So as I very much respect your judgement guys I cleaned my glasses and tried looking again! Would I be right in thinking that what you are referring to is over-sharpening of the cloud edges rather than the more usual definition of noise, with random speckles of color or grain, particularly in dark areas ? It is very subjective of course but in this case my sharpening was very intentional in order to emphasize the 'storm(y) clouds'. I shot this in raw and the result was a very flat and unexciting image, so with the high-pass filter I pushed it until I obtained what I thought was a nice angry, threatening sky. Not photo-realistic of course but hopefully I achieved the end I pursued.
Thank you my friends. #10913168

Susan Williams December 02, 2013

I don't see any noise either. I do think it might be over-sharpened a bit and would take it back so the coulds retained a little more puffiness. I would gear it toward the one in the center foreground and the rest should adjust accordingly. Love the light, the colors and the drama, Peter. #10913229

Dale Hardin December 02, 2013

I don't see noise either but do see lots of pixilization and artifacts in the sky similar to what one sees with excess filtering. Of course this image is subject to degradation in the posting process.

Peter, was this heavily cropped? Would love to view the raw file. Mind emailing it to me? #10913445

Peter W. Marks December 02, 2013

No cropping Dale and as best I recall the only filter I used was the high-pass and then some adjustment with one of the PSE color 'enhancement'features to give the fiery red that I was looking for.
I will send you the raw file when I get home from town later on. Do what you like with it but keep in mind I was not going for photo-realistic but more for an exaggerated colorful illustration though I will be interested in seeing your interpretation old friend. #10913457

Beth Spencer December 02, 2013

I really like the colors that are in the clouds and the light. I wonder if you can keep the color and cut back on the sharpening a bit. #10913640

Jeff E Jensen December 02, 2013

I agree, the colors and light are really nice. #10913722

Rita K. Connell level-classic December 02, 2013

I think you did well at getting the mood of these clouds. the color is pretty cool. I see a face of a electric eel with his mouth open does anyone else see it. Scary....!!!! #10913749

Stephen Shoff December 02, 2013

I knew when I first browsed this from work this morning that I really want to get a good look at this when I got home. It has great color, a very nice image.

I'll go with the noise crowd on this one Peter. In the dark sky area along the top in particular I see what I interpret to be color noise which has been reduced a lot (I know, that contradicts your record...I'm just trying to describe what I'm seeing). I also see bright halos round the dark cloud in the center and dark halos around bright cloud borders as well as a grainy look in mid-tones in the clouds. I would guess that is the intentional over-sharpening you referred to.

My suggestion is that you try a different approach. Go back to the original CR2 file and open it in your PSE. It will open directly in ACR. Use Vibrance and Clarity adjustments in ACR to see how close you can get to your goal. Then hit Open and finish your post-processing in PSE. (Note: I verified the Vibrance and Clarity adjustments were present in PSE7.)

I would echo Dale, I'd kind of like to spend a little time playing with this myself. I wouldn't mind if you'd include me when you send the file to Dale (StephenS_CP@comcast.net)

#10913752

Peter W. Marks December 03, 2013

Hi Stephen. We seem to have had somewhat diverse opinions on the 'noise'. Some see it, some don't; makes me wonder what judges see on their screens when they look at our images.
We are agreed though on the halos, over-sharpened edges etc and I thank you for accepting this was intentional but of course anyone is free to like or dislike it. It has me thinking of how folks react to HDR images- love it/hate it!
And many thanks to all you others who have weighed in. And Rita. You see an electric ell eh Girl!! Sure wouldn't like to be in your dreams!
I will certainly email the image file to you Stephen. Play with it at you see fit. #10913944

Peter W. Marks December 03, 2013

Oh dear! I really can spell 'eel' and 'at' but my fingers and brain aren't too connected this morning. #10913948

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