Most times when I am out and about, the time of day isn’t conducive for good light for photography. Regardless, that doesn’t stop me from capturing images that I want to remember.
During yesterday’s Birding Blitz I came across this barn. The sky was hazy and the sun was hot for mid-afternoon. Even though I knew the image wouldn’t turn out as it should, I took it anyway. The colors dull and flat, the sky darkened the scene.
Getting home, I was counting on Nik’s magic to salvage and perhaps transform this image. With a little cropping and exposure adjustments in Lightroom, I first tried Nik HDR Pro with the Landscape 1 preset.
Nik HDR Pro
It’s starting to become interesting. But still not quite satisfied I decided to try Nik Color Efex Pro to see what I can come up with. Using the Detail Extractor preset, grad ND filter, and a light vignette here is the result.
So which one do you like? To share some more pics from yesterday, and yes – Today..here we go!
The Velveteen Rabbit
Indigo Bunting
Categories: 2013 Project 365, Annapolis, Foot Prints, travel
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
Wonderful shots. Of the barns, I would say the 3rd one. I love old barns and old buildings.
Thank you so much for your kind comment ! So happy you liked the last one too.
My eye just zooms in on the rainbow of colors in the photos – AMAZING! Happy Weekend:)
Life is too drab and hard not to bring color into it. I’ve got to thank my photo coach for making me aware to look for life’s color. Happy Weekend back to you.
All beautiful!!
Thanks so much Holly ! Appreciate your visit and comment. Hope to see you back soon.
The third HDR really brings it out, Somehow It is more gentle on the grass too. Love the amazing photos that follow 🙂
Hi Andy ! Great seeing you! Thank you so much for your feedback. I like the 3rd one too. Had to share the rest to bring a smile to your face.
That you have! thank you 🙂
I love seeing your process, you really got the barn to pop and be the star of the shot. The sky looks much better too
Thanks Ali ! You are such a pro when it comes to post processing. Wished I lived closer to you, I’d get personal coaching weekly. 🙂
I am trying to calculate how many barns you have in your area! Everyone is magnificent…
I really learned a lot from how you used filters etc to change the look of your photos. As you know, Vancouver has a great deal of rain so I am trying to figure out how to take photos during our periods of liquid sunshine!
You have no idea how many barns are in my area. I could probably shoot one a day in a year and still not get all of them. I’m making a point to only capture ones in my county. 🙂
Rain in Vancouver? Imagine that! Try indoor museums and such. Surely there are breaks in the rain too. I find the wet really makes the colors vibrant.
You are convincing me to be very brave!!! All that courage coming through the blogger miles – powerful stuff.
I like them ALL.
Thanks Perpeptua ! Hope you have a great weekend.
Like the last of your barn shots…. ND grad filter, like the way it brings aging effect to the barn. Favourite out of the all, that gorgeous, alert looking rabbit… one hop away from the shot?
Love that comment about the bunny. I was surprised that it just froze there. I was able to move a little to get a piece of grass out of his eye and he didn’t even twitch.
Actually, the detail extractor brought out the aging effect on the barn, the ND grad filter brought down the sky a bit. I’m assuming you have the Nik software too and you’re an amazing photographer.
Nice to have those quiet moments with wild creatures 🙂 Am interested in the editing effects you’re getting with Nik software, i’m using Photoshop but rather inspired by what Nik users are achieving. The barn examples really transformed the original shot.
Of the barn photos I like the last one best. I can’t choose a favorite from the rest of them.
Thanks Jerry ! Amazed you’re ok with the processing on the 3rd one. And the last three..there is no favorite, they all are great !
Well, the question was which of the three was the best. 😉 The first is dull and lifeless because of the poor lighting conditions. In the second one, the trees are casting a “shadow” on the sky, which I find objectionable and tipping me off that the photo has been altered. The third is the best representation of what the scene would look like in good lighting. Personally, I would have noted where the barn was and gone back while on another birding trip and shot the barn in better light. But, to each their own.
LOL ! Indeed, it I was truly a pro photographer I would go to that much effort. 🙂 I do know where the barn is, and it’s readily accessible. Dawn would be the best light.
For me it’s the third barn. I am amazed how photographic “trickery” or should I say “expertise” can so change the image. Which one is the “real” one? I guess too it’s all in the eye of the beholder. And the nature shots are beautiful, so vibrant, so alive. I guess that’s why I like the third barn too. It comes alive.
Even Ansel Adams spent hours on an image in the dark room processing, dodging and weaving the light to create the effect he wanted in the photo. It is part of the creative process of photography.
How have you been? Traveling lately?
Delighted.
Thanks for the visit Waywardspirit. Hope to see you back soon.
Lovely editing on the barn. Agree that the third image catches my eye the most. What a great barn!
Isn’t that a cool barn? I wish I could sneak into it to see if an owl is residing there. Thanks Tricia.
That blue fellow is amazing… 😉
You know a country-borned ‘boy’ like me loves these kind of old barns… “lol lol”
Both the 1st and the 3th are wonderful in my eyes… 😉
Barns for Drake ! That is my mission in life. The Indigo Bunting is truly an amazing bird. He just returned from wintering in Mexico.
It would look nice with a sombrero… “lol lol”
I vote for the second picture of barn. But love the horse too!
Thanks Fatima for your feedback. It really helps me get an idea of what people like to see. 🙂
I really enjoy seeing the transformation of the photos. I used to be in printing and would augment photos, but it’s been a coons age since I’ve done it. You’ve inspired me to check out my Android phones ‘fun settings’! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Now that’s a reference I haven’t heard in ages – since cracker Florida. Coons Age – that’s great !
Yes, there are plenty of editing apps for android. Camera Awesome is great, I use PS Express sparingly and Instagram is a breeze
I’m liking your first treatment on that barn the best Emily! Cool indigo bunting too!!
I sort of liked it, but wanted a little more punch. The bunting was awesome. I saw so many yesterday at Merkle it was fantastic!