Sunset behind the Grand Canyon Lodge at the North Rim
Even though the sunset didn't bounce into the Grand Canyon the day I was there, I did make the files I needed to composite this image. I knew in field that I would need at least two images in a series of exposures to expand the dynamic range, and I ended up taking at least four bracketed exposures for each composition. To hold back the sky, I exposed 2 2/3 stops under the base image (4 seconds vs 25 seconds, at ISSSO 100 and f 7.1. When I'm setting up stuff like this, I put the camera in Manual mode and count the clicks in the exposure range that I want.
Back at the ranch, I chose my composition, then used Adobe Camera Raw to open the files. I ended up layering the same file twice, once with the Fill Light and Brightness settings cranked up a little, once unchanged. I opened all the files, renamed the "Background" in each to the file number, and then use "Shift" while dragging to stack them in aligned layers. To each layer I added to the base, I added a mask. My favorite tool for masking is the Gradient tool, in combination with the blending mode in the tool options bar. I might use the Gradient to make a mask from top to bottom to reveal the sky, then re-use the Gradient tool with the blending mode set to Darken or Lighten as needed, to add or subtract to my mask without impacting the part of the mask that's how I want it. Don't forget that you can use selection tools on the mask to limit your changes. Because the masks don't have non-destructive adjustment layers, be careful. (I asked the Adobe engineers for adjustment layers on channels once, and they looked at me in horror. I understand I'm asking for a lot, but I had my reasons: remixes. But I digress.) For those of us who learned Photoshop before there were adjustment layers and the history palette, working with masks brings up a lot of bad memories; for those who picked up Photoshop after 1996, just remember you can find your mask in the channels palette and make a copy of it before you edit it.
I didn't get to stay in the lodge itself that night. I was lucky to score a room at all. I do have my rim-side room request in mind for my next visit with R. Maybe we'll plan a celebratory event when I finish the text for the Highway 89 project, if I get it done before they close for the season. I plan to be done before that, but I'm not in charge of the weather.
Comments (2)
Nice.
I remember the last time I was there. It was mid-September and I'd driven up there in my Jeep. I'd done a lot of exploring on the fire roads in the National Forest and was tired when I rolled up to the lodge at 4 PM. Lucky me. No reservations, but the handicapped accessible cabin they kept open had not been taken. More luck: the hostest at the restaurant could squeeze me in for dinner before 9 PM. I had a wonderful night at the North Rim with a wonderful dinner. Highlight: watching the forest fire on the other side of Bright Angel canyon burning at night. And the fall colors of the aspens, of course.
When are we going to the Wave?
Posted by Maria | September 9, 2008 9:34 PM
Posted on September 9, 2008 21:34
What a beautiful shot!
I really enjoyed reading the details of the shot. Thanks for typing all that up. It helps us newbies to photography. :)
Jessica
www.momshots.com
Posted by Jessica | September 10, 2008 4:15 PM
Posted on September 10, 2008 16:15