Howard, session 2, example 2

[mikemeister_admin]

I did 2 versions; one in Lab and one in RGB and used multiple neutral points in the RGB version.  I used the inverted S curve in both to try to bring out detail in the shadows and retain detail in the clouds.  I think each has its good points and bad points, but, overall, I think I like the RGB version a little better.

[ggroess]

Howard,

From your Lab version:  I would go look at the neutral choice, since the image has an overall cyan cast. 
You can usually be alright in picking whites and blacks as well as greys for neutrals.  Don't be afraid to bump the saturation in Lab.  Most of the time adjustments in the L channel leave the image a bit undersaturated plus you can add saturation without a color shift.

Greg

[ggroess]

Howard,

From your RGB example:

You need to get rid of the cyan cast again by setting a neutral somewhere you know can be a neutral.  In RGB this adds some trouble but nothing you cannot get out of.  Alt-Click on the image somewhere you know there is a color cast and begin with the obvious color.  In this case I choose the R channel since when I set the neutral this area appeared red.  I adjusted the R channel until the R value was near equal.  I then found it also had a blue cast.  Same process without moving the Alt-Click hue clock.  just adjust the B channel until the values are nearly the same...it is kind of a subjective process. 
I then adjusted the composite RGB curve to get the S curve into the image.  I also brightened it up a bit...

Greg

[mikemeister_admin]

Here is a tweaked Lab version of example 2.  I increased the amount of highlight & shadow & used those as my neutral points, ultimately settling on the shadow area at the bottom of the 2nd boat from the right.  I increase the saturation, too.

[mikemeister_admin]

Ok, I did as you suggested & used the same hull you used in your version & also boosted the brightness a bit.  I think I'm starting to get the hang of this.

[ggroess]

Can you post the Curve file for me...or a screen shot of the curve..i think the mid tones are messed up somehow but i cannot be sure..it looks very flat in the mid tones...

You are getting the concept...don't give up...

Greg

[mikemeister_admin]

If I am using the demo version, can I even save the curve info?  When I reopen an image that I have previously worked on with Curvemister and bring Curvemeister up again, the curve that opens up is a flat curve.  I would have to start from scratch from the original image, which I would be happy to do, if you think it will be useful.

[mikemeister_admin]

I did a new one from scratch in Lab Mode.  I set the shadows on the bottom of the second boat from the right and the highlight on the top of the second boat from the left.  The neutral point is the hull of the middle boat, I applied a slight inverted s curve and boosted the saturation.  Better?

[ggroess]

For the LAB version yes..this is better.  On the other one you hit on one of the traps that CM or any other curve adjustment tool will bring out...the flatness look that was all over the mid tones is due to a flat spot in the curve.  When this happens the tones for that range are all set to the same value and the image gets an almost solarized look to it.

I was hoping to see that on your curve...You can look under the curvemeister.com directory in your program files, and see if there is any history or saved ACV files with your file names on them. I do not know if the Demo version saves the files I suspect it does not...

Greg

[mikemeister_admin]

The history folder was empty.  Actually, there was a folder for August 2007, but it was empty, too. 

I did another RGB version from scratch, which is attached.  I attempted to set multiple neutral points as was mentioned in the assignment, but it appears to me that the most recently set neutral point is the one that controls what is actually set as neutral.

In this example, the highlights and shadows are set the same as the Lab version, but the neutral point that I finally settled on is the object protruding at the lower right corner of the frame.  I, again, applied a slight inverted S curve.

The lesson I learned from this exercise is that tonal adjustments need to me small.  exaggerating such adjustments can have a disastrous effect on an image.