Very much the opposite of yesterday, I put less time into this image and am much happier with the results. Partly because I learned a new way to do an old thing while toning an image. This is a companion image to "beauty and the beast".

This is a three exposure high dynamic range photo (-2, 0, +2) processed and tonemapped in Photomatix. Of course it was sent to Photoshop for a little lovin' as well. Once there, I did two seperate black and white layers with masking to get the look I wanted out of the sky as well as the subject and foreground. I also had some nasty specular highlights where the sun was setting that needed addressing. That area is still slightly blown out, but I am chalking it up as a lesson learned. Very minor dodging and burning, slight vignetting and then levels ... and viola.

Yet again I forgot to put back the EXIF info that Photomatix strips. Please forgive me.

Listening to: Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek

• YEAH!!! Your best shot ever! Shot of the day for me too. This is awesome Mike!
  Paul @ August 17, 2006 @ 10:27 AM (MST)
• Another strong image, bordering on surreal. I think that with the overall image tone, the blown out area actually works in your favour. I can't quite place it, but it reminds me of something vaguely apocalyptic that I've been exposed to in the past! Also, thank's for including that bit of general info on how you processed the sky - it's caused a lightbulb to go off, and I'll have to go ahead try some different things in an attempt to emulate the effect.
  Scott @ August 17, 2006 @ 10:31 AM (MST)
• love the composition and colors - your dilagence payed off
  millicent @ August 17, 2006 @ 12:38 PM (MST)
• Wonderful shot. Well named
  Jide @ August 18, 2006 @ 4:36 AM (MST)
• Agreed - it is a strong picture - great work
  John Washington @ August 18, 2006 @ 1:17 PM (MST)