A photograph is hidden in RAW #1: Post processing a long exposure frame.

A few of my friends were interested in understanding what are the in-between steps from taking this picture from RAW to the final output.

So I thought why not write a small tutorial :)

Step 1 : Opened the RAW file in Adobe Lightroom to balance the exposure by adjusting the Highlights and Shadows and finally a little bit of increase in exposure. I fixed the White Balance of the image to what it looked like at that time. Next I fixed the lens distortion and vignetting. (I usually add a custom vignette at the last stage of the process)

Step 2 : Took the adjusted file and open up in Photoshop for further processing.

Step 3 : Added a fast exposure of the same frame and using a inverted mask brought in the static leafs of the trees.

Step 4 : Now I merged all the visible layers to create a new merged layer and opened that with Color Efex Pro 4 to add some Polarization. This has increased the vibrancy on the foliage and given some contrast to the clouds.

Step 5 : Next I used Silver Efex Pro to convert the image to B&W also added additional contrast to enhance the dynamics.

Step 6 : Finally I used a Curve Adjustment Layer and pulled the midtones just a bit to make the image a little darker. I inverted the mask on it and painted in a custom vignette to pull the viewers eye towards the subject in the frame.

And voila its done.

As you can see once you have the basic idea of what you want to achieve, it will be just few simple steps to get there.

Although this one took not more then half hour to process. I would admit that in some of other pictures I did spend days taking breaks in between to get to the final output.

Hope you guys have enjoyed the explanation here and will excuse me for the cranky language.

Till the next picture, keep clicking!!

You can visit my Facebook page and 500px page to view and review my work.

A Landscape Photographer's treat : Framed Souvenirs

Framed Souvenirs is an annual showcase of photographic brilliance by the trio Arpan Kalita, Manabendra Choudhury and Himadri Bhuyan.



This year was a special treat for landscape photography enthusiast like me, as the walls are full of landscapes to wow and wonder.



Let's go in a journey of few of my favourites.

Dale of Hope by Arpan Kalita

This landscape pulled me again and again closer to the feelings of the photographer when he took it. It forces you to think did this dappled light on the rolling hills actually lit up like this, on asking Arpan he said "You got to see it to believe it" and I believe you. Arpan is an actualist when it comes to landscape photography, he intends to take the viewer to the location and to the time as it was.

Here are a few more by this wonderer.

Catch me on your way back by Arpan Kalita

Emareld Soul by Arpan Kalita

Manabendra Choudhury is the second jewel of the trio who showcased his landscape work. Lets follow a few.

Stillness Speaks by Manabendra Choudhury

He is the water man of the lot and his style of varied viewpoints on wetlands, lakes, cascades is really moving. This one above shot in Sonbill wetlands has such a mastery on perspective with the mallowness of the night that it pushed me to ask "How?". Manabendra da as we call him, said "this was shot from neck deep water on a full moon evening". Now that is what I call commitment and therefore the wonders captured.

Feast your eyes on few more of his captures.

Fairy by Manabendra Choudhury

Rapture of a flow by Manabendra Choudhury

Finally Himadri who does not need any introduction or may be needs a rather long one. :)

Here is a guy whose is creativity is always on steroids. I think of him as not a landscape photographer but a photographer with his own genre.

His intimate vision and expression has always managed to surprise me. Without trying to explain his art further, which is impossible for a mere mortal like me. Let me show you some.

Queen by Himadri Bhuyan

Now this is something although you want to keep looking for its prettyness, instead it takes you deep into the rabbit hole. Himadri was kind enough to explain me the technique to produce such an image, and from what I could understand its not easy. Then I thought folks like Himadri, Arpan and Manabendra da do it not because its easy but its hard. May be its a sense of accomplishment they get, and while they are at it we get to see wonders on shows like Framed Souvenirs.

Here are a few more from the poet.

Into the Universe by Himadri Bhuyan

Temple of the King by Himadri Bhuyan

Looking out for next year.