So this is a pic that I almost did not even give a second look. It was the short exposure on a bracket set that I was saving for later. The thumbnail on the bottom or LR4 was flat and dark. I have been skipping over it for months. Well I decided to play with it and was blown away. I could not beleive how much information was in this file and how it turned out. The colors and details just exploded out with each adjustment.

I know many people (including myself) like to post pictures straight out of the camera to show the camera off. That is all in good but I feel its nothing you should depend on. Do not give up on an image, at least not a raw file. Its full of information.

First pic
Out of the camera. Raw convert using LR4. Applied lens correction only.

Second pic
Full post using LR4 only.
Exposure .6
Contrast 80
Highlights 100
Shadows -100
Black and White set using the alt key method.
Sharpen
Grad filter

There are still some things that I need to fix with the pic. Those will need some thought, time, and fresh eyes.

Pre-Post



Post

I agree, the dynamic range of the D800e is fantastic. I have frequently found that I've taken a bracketed sequence that I intend to use for HDR, but instead just use one from the sequence with some shadow protection.

BTW, I recognize that bridge. Its the bridge over the Rio Gradne Gorge northwest of Taos, New Mexico. It was one of the locations we visited on ANPAT 12 this October. Here's my picture from my D800e. For those of you who have not been there, this is a big bridge as you can see from the size of the tractor trailer rig crossing it.

Click on the image to get a larger one.

Gary in SE Michigan, USA. Co-organizer of the Southern Michigan Chapter
Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the camera.
D4, D800e, D300, D90, F6, FM3a (black), FM2n (chrome)
YashicaMat 124, Graflex Speed Graphic 4x5
My Nikonians Gallery & Our Chapter Gallery

Yep thats it...Forgot to mention it...Rio Grande Gorge Taos, New Mexico. Also, this was a sunrise, not a sunset. I had to get up before sunrise and make the trip to the spot. Hiking on the trail making my way to the edge of a gorge in darkness was a little scary. But I made it to the edge without falling in.