Darkroom Challenge Digital Darkroom Derby #42 (closed, winner announced)

[WhidbeyLVR]

This is Digital Darkroom Derby #42, a digital image editing/processing challenge. Please read the rules here.

This challenge is being hosted by @Stiga (Martin), who had some problems starting a new thread. This is a bracketed set of 3 of an ash tree near his house.

RAW images can be downloaded here
JPEG images can be downloaded here

Martin needs to provide an end date and time for the challenge.

Maybe @MoonMind can change ownership of this thread directly to @Stiga .

Have fun!

 

[MoonMind]

[...]

Maybe @MoonMind can change ownership of this thread directly to @Stiga .

Have fun!

I'm not actually able to do that (nor did it ever occur to me that one should be able to), but I see the point - maybe @Kevin can do that? In any case, solid attempt at helping out - thanks!

Anyhow, something seems to have gone wrong with image posting (or displaying) - I sort of fixed this by re-inserting the link to the file. Downloads work, btw. - they're hosted off-site.

M.

 

[WhidbeyLVR]

I'm not actually able to do that (nor did it ever occur to me that one should be able to), but I see the point - maybe @Kevin can do that? In any case, solid attempt at helping out - thanks!

Anyhow, something seems to have gone wrong with image posting (or displaying) - I sort of fixed this by re-inserting the link to the file. Downloads work, btw. - they're hosted off-site.

M.

Thanks, Matt!

 

[Dinobe]

#1

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[Zeus1]

Entry #1 Colour version. Merged the 3 images using Photomatix and "fusion-natural". Removed (lots of) chromatic aberration in Camera Raw.cA bit of Pro Contrast using nik Color Efex. Usual border.

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[Zeus1]

Entry #2. Black/White version based on entry #1. Used Infinite B/W.

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[WhidbeyLVR]

Entry 1

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I processed the darkest raw file (which I thought was well exposed) through DxO PL5, then went to Gimp/Nik/G'mic for final adjustments. Most of the tweaks were done in Nik Color Efex Pro 4 using "Pro Contrast", "Contrast Color Range", "Detail Extractor", and "Vignette: Lens".

 

[BosseBe]

I decided to do a test with this, using Aurora HDR 2018 for the first entry and NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 for the next entry.
I first used DXO PL5 on the middle exposed photo and the copied the changes to the other pictures.
Then I exported to Aurora HDR 2018 (Got it for free some time ago).
Entry #1

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[BosseBe]

This was exported to NIK HDR Pro 2 from DXO PL5 using the same images as for Aurora.
I did choose another kind of preset for this one.
Entry #2

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[RobD]

#1. Aurora on first 2 images, then photoshop. Beautiful shot.

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[WhidbeyLVR]

Entry 2, a B&W treatment done entirely in DxO using the darkest raw exposure.

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[Stiga]

Wow! A lot has changed in 12 hours! Many thanks to all who put everything on an even keel.

Martin

 

[kae1]

Entry #1 Nice photo. Only used the darker of the three RAWs - DXO PL5 then Elements and Denoise

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[kae1]

Entry #2

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[Rose McGillicuddy]

absolutely beautiful image, had to process it just because it is so gorgeous.

Basic Lr then Nik Colour Efex ....

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[Mike7]

absolutely beautiful image, had to process it just because it is so gorgeous.

Basic Lr then Nik Colour Efex ....

View attachment 313163

Great mood.

 

[BosseBe]

Martin needs to provide an end date and time for the challenge.

@Stiga, Martin, you need to decide on a time to end this challenge, I guess the date is fine (30/5) but we don't know at what hour the challenge closes.
A tip, pick a time when you know you will have time to do the judging right away. I usually pick a time in the evening after work so I have the rest of the evening to do the judging.
Thanks for hosting this and for the beautiful picture to play with.

 

[BosseBe]

A tip to anyone hosting this challenge, XnViewMP is a useful tool to use when judging, it is easy to grade the photos and filter them on grading, I think @kae1 uses this also for the judging. I got the tip from a forum member over at µ43 forum some time ago.

 

[gecko]

Very nice image.

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[Stiga]

Crunch time. Firstly I'd like to thank everyone for entering and also for all the compliments about my image set

Dinobe #1 - no detail beyond fence and trees,. No processing infor :-(

Zeus1 #1 Ah, Photomatix! Haven't seen mention of that app in ages. A bit pale and the grass seems desaturated

#2 I prefer this, it's punchy

WhidbeyLVR #1 Good colour rendering. Exceelent job for only one of the three images


BosseBe #1 Grass a tad too yellopw (did you use the "warm landscape preset?) Flare in top L corner has increased!

#2 Prefer this nikHDR version, good grteen

RobD #1 Excellent work with Aurora, good green grass color

#2 A bit "flat" could do with more punch


kae1 #1 Good effort as you only used 1 image

#2 Good, punchu B&W


Rose McGil #1 Simple treatment, good result


gecko #1 For me, a bluish B&W does not suit a verdanjt scene

On the wole I preferd the entries where 2 or 3 images had been tonemapped. Surprisingly, nobody use Lightroom's HDR photo merge. I don't have it but know it is easy to use and gives consistent results

So, I choose RobD as the winner. That was an easy pick, second plave was more difficult; eventually I chose kae1 #1

For the record here is my version processed almost exactly 3 years ago using SNS HDR followed by Photoshop tweaks. (But I prefer RobD's version)

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