Here are a few more shots from my experimental macro/flash shoot yesterday.
Today I have also experimented with some of the settings in Lightroom, mostly just adjusting highlights and shadows and in the first image raising the temperature.
I am pleased with these and hope you like them too. I will be back tomorrow with some more.
Two different shots from a wintry day in Betws y Coed and two different effects tweaking blacka nd white images in Lightroom. I had some assistance from my son so that I didn't overdo the saturation in either shot and I think they look pretty good.
The first shot is a very simple image of the apex of the snow covered roof of a timber building in the village. Framed by the trees and with a slight blue hue it has a cold wintry feel.
The second shot is looking up the valley along the course of the river Llugwy. I love the mist rising above the trees mixed with the wood smoke from the houses on the hill. I have given the picture a lift by adding a slightly yellow hue which has brought out some definition in the clouds which otherwise appeared flat and grey.
There's an expression for hot sunny days that the sun is "cracking the flags" so on a hot day visiting Dunham Massey a short break in the shade of the orangery was very welcome. While there my eye was drawn to the shadows on the stone floor and I think it makes a really interesting abstract image which I hope you will enjoy.
So today I have tried something new. I process my photos using Adobe Lightroom but mainly use auto settings to make minor adjustments to exposure and highlights. I have tried a few times to create colour highlights in black and white images (see my recent post "Shipwreck" from 4th Sept) with fairly decent results, but I haven't really experimented with any of the other features for fear of mucking things up and getting the colours completely wrong.
However because changes made in Lightroom can be easily undone there really is no harm in trying and so I decided to watch a couple of tutorials and be a little creative.
I like boats and this old hulk moored at Glasson Dock is full of character especially as it is moored alongside some new and sleek yachts. The original image was shot in colour but I have converted it to black and white and then added a colour hue to the highlights and shadows to create a warm and atmospheric image rather than the original which is quite bland in comparison. I also applied a graduated filter to bring out some detail in the sky.
I am really pleased with my first attempt and I hope that you will like it too. I would be pleased to read any feedback in the comments below.
