Darkroom Challenge Digital Darkroom Derby #272 (closed, results posted)

[WhidbeyLVR]

Start Date

Mar 10, 2025

End Date

Mar 13, 2025

This is Digital Darkroom Derby #272, a digital image editing/processing challenge.

These challenges are open to everyone. If you have any interest in practicing or improving your image editing and post-processing skills, please feel free to join in!

Please read the rules here. Short version: Host provides the challenge image and selects the winner, who then becomes the next host.

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A different bridge in a different Venice (California). Have fun!

The RAW and JPEG files are here.

The challenge will close at noon Pacific Daylight Time on Thursday, March 13, 2025.

 

[David1701]

Not competing.

#1 RawTherapee and Lightzone

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[David1701]

Not competing.

#2 RawTherapee and Lightzone - a Kodachrome200 type look for this one.

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[griffljg]

Entry #1:

I like this image. This is where Capture One really comes into its own. It's ability to claw back detail from the shadows and highlights without appearing artificial is totally amazing to me.

Raw file -> DxO PureRAW 4 -> DNG file -> Capture One Pro -> JPEG file

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[griffljg]

Entry #2:

Used ON1 Photo RAW 2025 for everything.

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[Peano]

Not competing. What a pleasant scene. I would love to see it at night with all those lamps and string lights turned on. ACR/PS.

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[RobD]

#1. ACR & PS

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[Rob R]

#1 ACR / Photoshop

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[Zeus1]

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[Rob R]

#2

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[WhidbeyLVR]

Nice entries so far! About 22 hours remaining in the challenge as I post this. More entries are welcomed!

 

[kae1]

Entry #1 DXO PL8 then Elements and PhotoAI

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[kae1]

Entry #2

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[WhidbeyLVR]

The challenge is closed for entries. Results should be posted in a few hours.

 

[Peano]

Just fiddlin' around with lights after the show is over.

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[WhidbeyLVR]

Very nice set of entries -- thanks to all for your participation!

For the non-competing entries: @Peano , both your entries were excellent! @David1701 both entries were nice. The saturation of the first entry was a little too strong (particularly the yellows) and the second, slightly weak. I also feel like you overdid the local and global contrast a bit, which lead to a subtle halo effect and an increase in noise/grain.

Of the competing entries, I just opened them all, each in their own browser tab, and then ran back and forth through them to choose my favorites. I was particularly looking for enhanced visibility of the paddle boarder. I preferred entries which kept the shadow areas from going too blue. I know they will go a little blue from the strong sky color, but some looked like the bridge had blue paint.

Winner: @RobD . A light-handed approach with natural color and good local contrast pop on the paddle boarder. I only wish you had straightened the slight CCW rotation of my original.
2nd Place: @Zeus1 . I liked the warmer color (relieving that strong blue cast of the shadows), and the crop to accentuate the subject.
3rd Place (tie): @griffljg #1 and @kae1 #1.

FWIW, my version (DxO PL7 and Gimp/G'mic/Nik Color Efex):

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Over to you, Rob.

 

[David1701]

Very nice set of entries -- thanks to all for your participation!

For the non-competing entries: @Peano , both your entries were excellent! @David1701 both entries were nice. The saturation of the first entry was a little too strong (particularly the yellows) and the second, slightly weak. I also feel like you overdid the local and global contrast a bit, which lead to a subtle halo effect and an increase in noise/grain.

Of the competing entries, I just opened them all, each in their own browser tab, and then ran back and forth through them to choose my favorites. I was particularly looking for enhanced visibility of the paddle boarder. I preferred entries which kept the shadow areas from going too blue. I know they will go a little blue from the strong sky color, but some looked like the bridge had blue paint.

Winner: @RobD . A light-handed approach with natural color and good local contrast pop on the paddle boarder. I only wish you had straightened the slight CCW rotation of my original.
2nd Place: @Zeus1 . I liked the warmer color (relieving that strong blue cast of the shadows), and the crop to accentuate the subject.
3rd Place (tie): @griffljg #1 and @kae1 #1.

FWIW, my version (DxO PL7 and Gimp/G'mic/Nik Color Efex):

View attachment 536349

Over to you, Rob.

Thanks for the constructive criticism. It's appreciated.

 

[RobD]

Thanks for the win Lyle. But something has come up suddenly and I can't run the next challenge.
Can the Runner up please take over. I might be out of action for more than a month.
Thanks Rob

 

[WhidbeyLVR]

Thanks for the win Lyle. But something has come up suddenly and I can't run the next challenge.
Can the Runner up please take over. I might be out of action for more than a month.
Thanks Rob

I wish you well with whatever it is. I have had absences recently myself, so I know how life intervenes. Return when you can.

@Zeus1 Hendrik, are you able to host the next challenge?

 

[Zeus1]

First off, all the best to You, @RobD
Able and willing to host the next competition. Just give me some time to look for a suitable image.