Project 12 Contrast and Exposure

The image was captured in RAW and processed in ACR. The shadows cast by the trees were dark although detail was visible  whilst the Church in the background, catching the direct sun, on first examination had very little detail visible. Using the adjustment brush I reduced the exposure on the Church to bring out the detail. I also applied the same settings to the large tree on the left that too light for the balance of the image.

I converted the processed image to black and white using Silver EFex Pro2 using the neutral filter giving the above result.

Again the image was captured in RAW and processed in ACR. Here the contrast was caused by the very bright sunlight at the end of the path. In the RAW version the sky was completely blown out and there was very little detail in the trees in the patch of sunlight. I reduced the exposure for the whole image to emphasise the brighter area so that the eye is led not only by the path but would also be drawn towards the brightest area. I then used the adjustment brush to reduce further the exposure to bring out the detail in the tress that were in the sunlight. There was very little detail in the sky that had been captured so any further reduction in the exposure was fruitless.

The conversion to black and white was achieved in the same way as the first image.

The darkest areas in this image were caused by the ditch one third from the bottom of the image and the large tree to the right. Again shot in camera RAW there was virtually no detail visible in the ditch area. After processing I increased the exposure in the ditch by the use of the adjustment brush. I carried out a second reduction of exposure in the sky area as, although detail was visible t appeared washed out.

The conversion to black and white was achieved in the same way as the first two images.

I am not sure what this exercise achieved. It is probably the case that the use of film that there is reason for comparing the different results. Digitally the processing of the RAW image if carried out properly the 'result' should be when the maximum amount of detail is captured in the final image. The conversion to black and white does not alter the amount of detail captured initially and use of the available software ensures that this becomes visible.