Promise of rain - First post

[Rudi Venter]

Hello Everyone,

As I have just joined this great forum I thought it would be a good idea to post a photo! Since I am a keen Landscape photographer I decided the first post must be a landscape photo.

This photo was taken in the Karoo National Park in South Africa, a normally dry and arid area that recently had above average rainfall.

Thanks for looking!
Rudi

 

[Hamish Gill]

Hi Rudi

firstly, welcome to the forum!

And well done on such a striking first image post - great depth to the image with the road nearly to the horizon, and what a dramatic sky!

care to share the post process involved in creating this photo?

I shall look forward to seeing more images of the south african landscape!

 

[Rudi Venter]

Hi Hamish,

Thanks!

Yes, the sky was dramatic, in this part of the world the sky is deep blue 99% of the time, when it is not blue it is normally dramatic!

Some details on the photo, the image was shot in RAW with a Canon 1DSmk3 and Canon 24-105mm L IS lens at 35mm, handheld, f11 and 1/100sec. The RAW images was "developed" using C1pro (v6). The 16 bit TIFF file was then opened in Photoshop CS4. The contrast was adjusted a bit. The image was then converted to LAB mode where only the luminosity channel was sharpened (70%, .5 and 0) before converting back to RGB and saving as jpg then re-sized for the web using Breeze Browser Pro (Also added the copyright with BB Pro).

Will be posting lots more from "Dark Africa"
Rudi

 

[Pete Askew]

Very nice Rudy and interesting PP (another C1 user I see - although for me it is usually only with their backs). Looking forward to more.

 

[Rudi Venter]

Hi Pete,

Thanks!

Yes, I am a long-time C1 user, I like the work flow and I really think it gets the most out of my RAW files, have used it on Canon, Nikon and Fuji files with great results.

I am considering a C1 back, I think it would be great for my Landscapes, the only problem is there are no agents or support in this part of the world...

Rudi

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Welcome Rudi!

Very nice - love the dramatic weather - any polarizer used?

The subtle range of colors in the landscape are really effective.

Looking forward to more out of Africa

 

[Rudi Venter]

Hi Chris,

Thanks!

No, no polarizer used in this case though I often use one.

Rudi

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Man - that's some clean blue sky you have out there!

 

[Rudi Venter]

Hi Chris,

Yes, far away from the cities where there is no pollution the sky can be so clear and blue it is scary! Especially after some rain has washed the dust from the air. You must see the stars at night!!