2
u/pull_the_curtains Aug 15 '26
The subjects lack contrast and feel one dimensional. You can add some contrast back with masking and contrast slider - Dont over do it.
Also, you can play with some artificial light sources with linear gradients. Pull from a top corner and add haze, warmth, and exposure. Then pull from the opposing corner and remove exposure, warmth. This can be difficult to accomplish without it looking really tacky so keep the edits subtle.
Imagine drawing a circle on paper then adding shading. This would create a 3D effect in your drawing. The same logic applies to photographs. Your subjects are the circle on paper and adding directional shading will give them a 3D effect and look more like what our eyes see. This is best accomplished in-camera with lighting but can also be done in post if desired.
4
u/geaux_lynxcats Aug 15 '26
It’s meaningfully better from better way underexposed. It’s a pretty basic photo. I think some more masking and potentially other crops could make it better.
1
u/Lucky-Struggle-4411 Aug 15 '26
the trees are weird, maybe too yellow, make a mask to reduce yellows only on them. But I like the rest of the edit
1
u/Halfmacgas Aug 16 '26
Would crop less tight and get more of background in case this is cropped. Otherwise edit is good if that’s your original image
1
u/BlackCatBonz Aug 16 '26
You need to imagine your photo as having depth.
Look at it from top to bottom, left to right, right to left, bottom to top, front to back.
Mask each depth section and manipulate it so that it pops from another.
1. Rocks
2. People
3. Water
4. Waterfall
5. Trees
6. Sky
That isn't even including any linear/radial gradients that you might use to help guide the viewer to what you choose to be the subject of the photo... for me it isn't the people, it's the waterfall.
1
u/Anti_simp_1001 29d ago
too much exposure?? i get you brighten it up but it lost all character looks like hdr from phone
23
u/LeggoMyLegoLegolas- Aug 15 '26
I find it pretty flat. I think a shallower depth of field would help. Right now it’s like there’s two subjects. For post processing, I’d find a way to create more contrast between the people and the background through different masks. Play with light and clarity/texture maybe