Using Curves To Balance Exposure In Your Landscape Photos
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Landscape photos are characterized by high dynamic range scenes. Bright highlights, like the sun, and deep shadows. Sunrise and sunset images inherently push the spectrum of light and shadow. Often this means your images need an amount of exposure balancing. Shadows need to be opened and highlights need to be tamed.
The exposure slider certainly works. For a more natural and refined balance, try using a curves adjustment. With a curve you can adjust shadows, midtones, and highlights selectively without extensive masking.
Watch this short video tutorial for an example.
Shooting into the sun leaves the foreground in deep shadow.
A curves adjustment to raise the brightness of the lower midtones in the foreground balancing the image.
Sunrise Over Thor's Hammer, Bryce Canyon, Utah
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