Touch the Sky Revisited Revisited
Learning from Mistakes
Just a few days ago, I published a story about revisiting an image from 2012. Thanks to all for your comments, both posted and private! Some of those were somewhat critical, which is great; such cause me to look closer, make fewer assumptions, and visualize more accurately. That being said, I knew the revisited image was a mistake when I posted it. I also realized I should not have done so and am reminded of something my friend and photographic mentor Mark Alberhasky taught me: Never post an image unless you are satisfied as to its perfection. I wanted to share what I learned from this mistake.
Most photography blogs will share a picture and then explain how this or that result was achieved. In other words, what went right assuming the reader would like to duplicate their results. Here, I want to help anyone interested to avoid my mistakes! They are numerous, by the way, but then I wax philosophical too much methinks!
First, I had started with what I knew was an imperfect file, less for exposure and more for composition. I knew I had unavoidable lens flare, but I needed to move the tripod to reposition the flare so it would be easier to deal with; I was lazy. Further, because it was a composite, I failed to align the frames accurately, which led to halo artifacts. It also needlessly made blending of the three different layers harder. And I tried to composite overtly extreme exposures, really degrees of contrast. The shadows were blocked and the contrast between the sky and the "finger" touching the sky (a critical subject I think!) became diminished for several reasons. But at the heart of all this was the fact that I was in a hurry. I was excited about where the image was leading me and I couldn't wait to share the "dialog" with you; I rushed it. Sloppy and lazy in retrospect.
Knowing I had shamed myself publicly😁, I put my nose back to the grindstone, intent on delivering as perfect a product as I could muster. On this I have spent the better part of three days. Then I had to figure out what I'd learned, which is why I write this blog! Kinda like life, isn't it? We often learn more from our mistakes than from our successes; take time to share your mistakes with those you care about. Couldn't resist an admonition!
To address my deficiencies, LOL, I went back to a better starting point. I chose three frames, all of which were shot from the same camera/tripod position. I made absolutely sure the first two exposures, chosen for their relative quality with respect to shadow and highlight detail, were aligned; in other words, when switching rapidly from one to the other, nothing moves. These I merged and made usual adjustments in Photoshop. To bring up shadow detail, I chose a third frame with a suitable exposure and diligently made sure it too was aligned with the first ones and added a few more adjustment layers, always making certain I could retrace my steps.
Given a good negative, the rest was relatively easy except for removing bits of lens flare. But then I learned something new again from Tony Kuyper using a process known as frequency separation; I took out the distracting bits of flare while leaving those which I thought were esthetically pleasing. Satisfied that the image was now as good as I could get it given my current level of skill in post processing, I didn't publish it, I slept on it! Look before you leap. The pause that refreshes. Once burned, twice shy. Count the cost. You get the point. Anyway, a few subtle but necessary tweaks this morning and here it is!
Touch the Sky Revisited Revisited
Composited from three frames at different exposures in Photoshop
I know it is much more saturated than the original, but this was a deliberate choice on my part. Stylistic preferences aside, this version is now what I was going after in the first place. Third time's a charm! Borrowing from another metaphor, I left it all in the image. But as you may know about me, I did my best, for now! Enjoy.