PS相片

1. Shot in RAW with Nikon D700+Nikon 16-35mm VR with handheld for most of above pictures. Aperture priority, ISO 0.3 - 400 primarily, focus length F8-13 for most of landscape shots.

Note: I usually take one-two test shots, then look at the histgram to adjust settings and take a shot again. Just ensure you don't have any/too much over exposed and too much in the shadow area. With RAW and modern post-process, you don't even need to worry about too much adding or reducing certain stops of exposure, or white balance... That is the beauty of technology !

2. Imported into PS CS3 with Adobe Camera RAW. During this process, I adjust exposure, highlight recovery and fill-in light. (please notice highlight recovery and fill-in light are very important to ensure you have a wider dynamic range but not overuse them too much.). I also adjust clarity to between 25-50. The goal is to ensure not too bright and too much contract to preserve all details.

3. Topaz Adjust. I used "Photo Pop" function with custom adjustment on the amount of effect. (always remember not too much).

4. Apply brightness/contract mask layer (depending on the image)

5. Apply about 15% Saturation increase with Saturation/hue mask layer (depending on the image)

6. Apply selective color mask layer, I usually adjust all colors individually but not the purple channel. (depending on the image)

7. Apply Topaz Clean (used the second built-in schema, forgot the name), but reduce to only 20% Opacity.

8. When you are happy about the effect so far, merge all layers into a new layer for further process.

The following steps are random depending on the image or my mood  what I usually do is:

9. Apply Nik Efex's contract color adjustment; bi-color mask, polarization, etc. whatever you like to enhance the image;

10. Apply Burn and/or Dodging on the areas that you want to enhance.

11. Apply Nik Efex's Dark/Light adjustment (vignette).

12. Apply Nik's RAW sharpening (depending on image)

13. Add picture frame and subtitle.