I'm with Loyd. It's not worth doing the double exposure to correct the numberboards. Besides, it doesn't always look very realistic, when you have light halos surrounding the number boards.
I'm with Loyd. It's not worth doing the double exposure to correct the numberboards. Besides, it doesn't always look very realistic, when you have light halos surrounding the number boards.
Chase
If you have halos, then you're not doing it right. It's just so simple...it's worth doing.
Here's a shot I "fixed" for my friend Aaron. Prior to going out to shoot this, I told him to take two exposures, one with the number boards exposed correctly, and then I'd process it for him. The correctly processed shot for the train had blown out number boards. So, do you see any halos?
Right. Expose for the train/scene/whatever, then expose for the lights. Create a separate layer with the "expose for the lights" shot, and then using a layer mask, "paint" out the blown lights exposing the properly exposed lights on the layer below. Combine layers, VOILA!
It's so brainlessly easy, I don't know why more people don't do it.
I double processed one raw file to bring the lights back to color. The photo can look fake or unnatural if you don't allow slight overexposure.
If you have halos, then you're not doing it right. It's just so simple...it's worth doing.
Here's a shot I "fixed" for my friend Aaron. Prior to going out to shoot this, I told him to take two exposures, one with the number boards exposed correctly, and then I'd process it for him. The correctly processed shot for the train had blown out number boards. So, do you see any halos?
Your idea is very effective where you have different light sources helping expose the locomotive, but I haven't found a solution for when you're in an area with very little, to no light. If your only light source is of that of a numberboard or running light, by the time you finally do properly expose the nose (whether you're using moon light, etc.) you will have blown out numberboards. A single layer (exposing the numberboards) will not correct that, I've tried.
That said, unless it considerably comes off as distracting, I left them be blown out. That's sort of borderline manipulation anyway, by the time you layer things over, etc.
I extend an offer to you and anyone else who wants. Next time you try one of those night shots, snap off one exposed for the numberboard, then send me the raw's, and let me have my hand at it. Worst case scenario, it sucks and I am wrong.
Your idea is very effective where you have different light sources helping expose the locomotive, but I haven't found a solution for when you're in an area with very little, to no light. If your only light source is of that of a numberboard or running light, by the time you finally do properly expose the nose (whether you're using moon light, etc.) you will have blown out numberboards. A single layer (exposing the numberboards) will not correct that, I've tried.
That said, unless it considerably comes off as distracting, I left them be blown out. That's sort of borderline manipulation anyway, by the time you layer things over, etc.
Chase
It's not manipulation at all considering you're bringing the exposure closer to reality. You don't see blown out number boards or sides of the CP Holiday train in real life, do you? No. So how is that manipulation? Quite simply, it's fixing something your camera can't create because of the limitation of how much range of light it can process at once during an exposure.
And you can certainly take several photos, increasing the shutter speed with each exposure to find the right number board exposure that wouldn't leave halos.
You're making it sound more complicated than it is. If you're using a tripod, there's no excuse NOT to make an attempt at it (other than laziness).
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I extend an offer to you and anyone else who wants. Next time you try one of those night shots, snap off one exposed for the numberboard, then send me the raw's, and let me have my hand at it. Worst case scenario, it sucks and I am wrong.
Here's a preview of one you can try. Lemme know
Loyd L.
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