Post-processing challenge #507 -- Winners announced

[relic]

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Jpeg file is here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4mn6sil6c5xtypq/_6109411.JPG?dl=0
Raw file is here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/gb3ydfjhmyj361r/_6109411.ORF?dl=0

This challenge will close at the end of the day, Sunday, November 17 "wherever you are".

Many thanks!

72-Hour Post-Processing Challenge Rules:

1. The Challenge Master provides an image or images to be "improved" upon by way of post-processing, as well as a closing date for entries.
2. Entrants are to post their entries, visible in this thread, at a resolution of 1000 to 1600 pixels in the longest dimension, prior to the closing date.
3. Each entrant is allowed two entries in the Challenge.
4. At the close of the Challenge, the Challenge Master will select a Winner and Runners-up.
5. The Winner of the Challenge is honored as the Master of the next Challenge.

Notes:

• Any/all source images used for the challenge must be the Challenge Master's own images. They are posted solely for the purpose of this Challenge; not to invite critique or criticism nor for other uses. If Entrants post their entries at a photo sharing site, they should credit the owner of the original image.
• "Improve" is a subjective term, and may include many creative ideas, as well as traditional "fixing". The Challenge Master agrees that Entrants may make any changes they deem fit in their entries.
• Entrants are strongly encouraged to share the tools and techniques used for their entries, however this is not a requirement for entry.
• As we all know, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. The Challenge Master is encouraged (but not required) to state the criteria used to decide upon a Winner. While we may not all agree with the result, the Challenge Master's decision is final. Please refrain from posting adverse comment.
• If the Winner is unable to post a new Challenge within five days, the honor passes to the next Runner-up.

 

[GregRed]

First attempt at editing with the new Luminar 4, trying to get familiar with all the UI changes from the previous version:

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[gwydionjhr]

Was not an easy shot to get, and you nailed it!

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[Robert Davidson]

First entry.

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[rpatodia]

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[rpatodia]

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[Henk van Slooten]

Raw processed in PS, a little crop and tried to get the color right and imagenomic used.

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[Robert Davidson]

My 2nd processed in ACR and PS.

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[Dinobe]

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[BosseBe]

Used the Standard preset in DxO PL3 but turned off Smart Lighting, added some contrast, picked the WB from the bark of the tree, and finally lowered the Gamma somewhat.

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And a B&W from the above, using DxO Filmpack, Kodak Tri-X preset with Blue filter.

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[szczepanl]

Processed RAW in Lightroom, cropped, adjusted WB, exposure and saturation to taste, adjusted default LR sharpening settings to taste.

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[Rob Rider]

worked on the color, square crop and added a little smile with a brush.

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[betamax]

Processed in Exposure X5 with some colour and highlight adjustments.

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[betamax]

And a contrastier version with added vignette.

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[Fred S]

Processed Raw in Affinity Photo

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[Hendrik]

The squirrel is such a cooperative subject, I thought it deserved a head shot.

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All done in Adobe.
Exposure tweaks in Adobe Camera Raw.
Three smart objects.
At the bottom, Auto WB. I liked the squirrel's coloring even if it is a bit pumped. No noise reduction - the squirrel fur can easily hide the noise.
Next, two layers (smart objects) that differ from the first in a much cooler WB, to tame the heavy orange cast. They differ from each other in some hefty noise reduction. The noisy layer is only used to paint in whisker detail over the cooler background.
The squirrel is painted in with a mask.
Then a stamped raster layer to allow fixing the foreground bokeh over the squirrel's head.
Finally, a masked curves layer to pump up the catchlights in the eyes.
Crop to 100%. Good job @relic!

 

[GregRed]

#2

Continued experimenting with Luminar 4:

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[Hendrik]

Same image, with a trip through Topaz Denoise AI

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[neelsd]

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[Rob Rider]

#2

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