Did you use photoshop on that photograph?
I have been asked this question a number of times about my landscape photographs recently and my answer is absolutely! Landscape photographers do this all the time because of the limitations of the camera. All the great landscape photographers, past and present, use some form of manipulation. Ansel Adams used dodging and burning to change the tonal values of an image. Peter Lik uses a computer to do the same thing.
In my short time as a landscape photographer, I too learned about these limitations of the camera itself is. The camera is one tool used to capture an image. That so called "camera" only sees in mid-tones and does not have the dynamic scale to record all the information in my landscape photographs
The eye can see 24 different shades of light, but the camera can only see 12. On days where the light is even and there are no strong shadows underneath trees or objects, the camera will be able to record everything it "sees." This occurs on cloudy days. On days with bright sunlight and harsh shadows, the camera will only be able to record either the bright information or the dark information only. When a photographer tries to compensate for this in their camera, they can not produce one images that is properly exposed. They can produce two images; One will be a bright picture with properly exposed shadows and the other will be a very dark picture with no detail in the lighter areas. This is the dilemma of a simple, but complicated piece of equipment. So, what is a photographer to do? Blend the images in photoshop.
As a landscape photographer, we can use "photoshop" to compensate for these issues. There are a few ways to do this: 1)The first method would be to underexpose the image a little and then, with photoshop, bring up the highlights and shadows, to create a proper image; 2) The second option is almost the opposite. It would be to bring down the highlight areas and decrease the shadows to create a proper image; These two methods are limited to the amount of information the camera will be able to record. This will produce an image that may contain quite a bit of noise or grain in the image.
There is an additional solution which involves photographing 2 or 3 images and blend them together in photoshop. This is the method that I use.
Their is a method to this madness! First, a photograph is taken of the scene at mid tone levels.. This usually produces an image that has some areas that could be brighter and some areas that could be darker. A second photograph is taken with a proper exposure of the dark areas(usually the foreground). And, finally a third exposure is taken of the brighter areas(usually the sky). Then all three images are added together or blended using photoshop producing an image that represents what my eye saw that early morning or late evening.
Pressing the shutter release on the camera is only half of the job!
Landscape photography is a very difficult subject to handle. The camera's today are marvelous pieces of technology. But, they are limited in their dynamic range and only record a certain amount of information. For example, during a sunrise or sunset, a camera will be able to either record a properly exposed image of the background(sky) or foreground(earth). It is nearly impossible for a camera to record all the information in a scene in one image. It can be done, but without digital manipulation, the image with either appear to dark or too light. A photographer may be able to increase that dynamic range with split neutral density filters, but the problem will still remain. It will be improved, but there will be darker areas and lighter areas on the image that will not be seen unless recovered using photoshop or some other comparable software program to digitally enhance the image.
One of the key factors in this equation is the light available from the sun. If it is cloudy, great. I can record the image on the camera and avoid dark shadows. I can also do this at twilight, but a longer exposure is necessary. The worst time to take photographs is when the scene is very contrasty and has no mid-tones to speak of!
How does a photographer create their own "style."
As a new professional photographer, I have learned one thing. It takes time to develop your own style. It is a process that cannot be rushed or cannot be copied. Every photographer has a vision about how they see a subject. This interpretation is what helps create our individuality.
I tried to copy other artists in the past, but that is a futile attempt.
I remember asking one of my instructors, How do I create my own style'? He chuckled and said it comes with time and the development of the inner voice. It has taken me almost three years to develop my style. My style evolved thru music. I hear what I see in my head. The best way to explain would be if you were listening to a song that slowly builds. The beat gets faster and the chords get stronger. Until the ultimate crescendo occurs and the shutter is release in the camera.
Why I take a Photograph
When I take a photograph, I am freezing a "moment in time." Whether it is the rushing of water or the sun passing behind a mountain, these moments are all fleeting. Have you actually ever watched the sun set over the horizon? The amount of time is rather quick! The time between the first moment the sun touches the edge of a horizon and the sun passes below can be less that a few minutes. Next time your outside, watch how fast it is! Please do not stair at the sun(you will go blind). But, take a few glances at it. Before you realize it ,its gone! Thats why I take photographs,,I have a strong desire to capture that moment.