I took this photo of a Snowy Owl a few weeks ago. The original was a nice shot but really too dark. I used a slightly different editing method than I have used in the past, just to see if it would work. Here is the edited photo:
ISO 320 50mm 0ev f/4 1/640
When I was shooting the photo I increased the ISO a bit because of all the shadows. I had my f-stop at a low number because I want to have the background mostly, but not completely, blurred. The lens I was using is a 50mm 1.8, but I went with an f-stop of 4 to make sure that the whole owl would be in focus. I also used a high shutter speed to stop any motion in the bird.
My original photo as you will see below is too dark. Because I shot in RAW I was pretty sure I could fix that in my post editing. I opened it in Camera Raw and adjusted the exposure to get a good exposure on the bird. This made the background too bright. So I opened my photo from Camera Raw into Photoshop as a “Smart Object” Once I had it open in Photoshop, in the layers panel I chose -New Smart Object via Copy. Then I double clicked on that new layer which actually opened it up in Camera Raw again. That version I changed the exposure to make the background correct and saved that. Once back in Photoshop, I had two layers, one with the owl at the right exposure and one with the background correct. On the background correct layer which was on top I put a mask, then I used a black paint brush to paint over the owl. This had the effect of revealing the correctly exposed owl that was the lower layer. Then I merged the layers. Then I did some sharpening and cropping. Here is the original image:
ISO 320 50mm 0ev f/4 1/640
What do you think? Beautiful bird isn’t it? This editing didn’t take too long and I was pleased with the results. Have you ever tried this method? I think it is pretty effective when you have a photo that really needs two different exposures. Are there other situations where you have found it useful? I love to hear what you think below.
Cheers!
Photography Journal Blog 
I don’t do all the fancy stuff. But do agree it is a beautiful bird. 🙂
LikeLike
🙂 I do have a soft spot for this bird.
LikeLike
Posts like this give me courage to plunge forward with post-processing. Since I’ve been reading your blog I’ve begun shooting in RAW+JPEG and have just become comfortable working with the tone curve and adjusting brightness and exposure. This post gives fresh ammunition for some problem areas i have with the technology I’ve been shooting. Thanks for sharing your experiments and your process. Terrific owl, by the way.
LikeLike
Thank you! this is a technique I just learn recently and I am pleased with by how easy it is to do. It is one of those things that sounds mor complicated than it actually is.
LikeLike
Lovely result PJB
I think your smart Snowy Owl looks very alert and more defined somehow .
LikeLike
I agree, but somehow owls almost always look wise, their huge eyes I think. I’m glad you like my edited version 🙂
LikeLike
Very nice.
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLike
Good editing tips … brought up the light tones beautifully. I was shown a nifty little trick using PS to rectify light or dark tones using Levels in layers … by setting the object to be edited at it’s correct tone; command Control + I to invert and then using the brush to bring up the lower layer. Quick and easy, and very useful for exposure contrasts 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks very much for leaving this tip. I will give it a try.
LikeLike
Your editing came out wonderful…they are such a mysterious creature, aren’t they?
LikeLike
Yes they are, and in this area it can be quite difficult to photograph them in the wild. You have to be in the right place and generally have a long lens 🙂
LikeLike
It’s a beautiful bird and does look better in your edited version.
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
Nice editing! I like the clarity.
LikeLike
Thanks, I was quite happy with the clarity of the image as well.
LikeLike
Beautiful!!! They are the cutest babies.
LikeLike
Yes they are 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful bird and an excellent job, Amy, on the new, improved photo.
LikeLike
Thank you, I’m glad you like the edit.
LikeLike
This is an incredible shot. I’ve seen owls in the wild, but never a snowy owl.
LikeLike
Yes, this one lives at a sanctuary. I’d love to see one in the wild too.
LikeLike
Stunning!
LikeLike
Thank you, this really is a beautiful bird 🙂
LikeLike
Pingback: Travel Theme: Short | Photography Journal Blog