Just for fun...when I was photographing Monday's sunset, I set up my crystal ball to see if I could get the city reflection as well as the sky. I'd been really disappointed in the result, but tonight -- using Lightroom 5 and the, to me, newly learned "radial filter tool" -- I went to work on one of the dull images I'd initially rejected (when I should have been going to sleep!). I'm pleased, though! Using the tool, I could create individual processing spaces and use different settings in each. In this image, I created one for the sky in the ball, one for the city, and then a third one for the background. It was necessary as the settings for contrast, exposure, white/black, and clarity needed to be different for each area. I'm increasingly pleased with LR5 and almost ready to tackle Photoshop when I get a block of time that makes it possible to concentrate.
Thank you all for your continued comments and your kind wishes re the house construction.
Have mixed feelings on crystal ball shots, however I really like this one. Amazing what lr5 has done. Sleep is an essential for me again, fatigue flared up very badly again. In bed at 6.30 pm last night, before my eldest!
Funny how distorted life becomes through the crystal ball...!
The tool which you have used, Taffy, is it the one on the far right or second from right?
It looks stunning. I really do need to learn how to use Lightroom properly. I have purchased Scott Kelby's book, now I just have to knuckle down and read it!
Oh this is awesome Taffy, I love what you have done with the radial filter tool, I haven't experimented with this tool yet. So this tool allows to to concentrate on different areas? How are finding cataloging and saving all your pics in LR? I haven't started that yet as I have read so many horror stories about people unable to find their saved photos!
There is so much to learn in LR, I have been concentrating on B&w this month but in March hope to start experimenting more.
Great use for the crystal ball, I still have to get one.
Fav
Well this looks good to me Taffy! I don't have Lightroom but the programmes I have I can only do basic editing, can't get my head around the more complicated stuff. One day maybe.
Before I read your blurb, I was thinking how wonderful the background was and now I know you must've spent hours on it. Definitely worth it. The image in the ball is fabulous.
Wow this is so beautiful!! love how you explained that you did accomplish this in LR. Still haven't mastered that options well, just no time to practise!
Lovely shot... I really like the urban glow in your crystal ball. Nice LR rescue! You know, I am learning about how to lighten, darken, sharpen, clarify different parts of a photo using those handy LR filters. They are so helpful and interesting to learn... nice job!
@northy :-) I did try the flip version, but then figured I had the one I'd posted right side up, so would just let this one be more abstract. I tend not to like the crystal ball shots that are inverted as they annoy me perceptually. If I hadn't posted the one the day before, I would have flipped this one and cropped it slightly differently. Thanks for the visit!
The tool which you have used, Taffy, is it the one on the far right or second from right?
There is so much to learn in LR, I have been concentrating on B&w this month but in March hope to start experimenting more.
Great use for the crystal ball, I still have to get one.
Fav
I shot get one of these...!