# Into the valley of solitude (+1 re-edit) **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** landscape\ **Created:** [June 9, 2022, 1:20pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/into-the-valley-of-solitude-1-re-edit/28582 "2022-06-09T13:20:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kris\_Smith](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/kris_smith/32/59826_2.png) [@Kris\_Smith](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Kris_Smith)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 1:20pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/into-the-valley-of-solitude-1-re-edit/28582/1 "2022-06-09T13:20:43Z")
![Into the valley of solitude](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/b/5/b5bdf0a7db8197da563eedbf319b6d9691e13e1a.jpeg) With added contrast - ![Kristen_SmithJune 01, 2022P1087409-Edit-3](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/3/b/3bd288506d63a278a72142d1cc2c6c84d6c9929e.jpeg) None of our sunsets in the Badlands produced much color, which was a bummer, but has the upside of getting to bed relatively early since there was nothing to hang around for. While waiting for the color that never turned up, I played with sidelight and the sinuous shape of this green little valley. The single tree was just a bonus and I tried to work the landscape to show a leading line and the vastness. Since the sky wasn’t doing anything great, it was a perfect opportunity. ### Specific Feedback Requested I’m open to ideas for improvement. Does it look too desaturated? I didn’t push any sliders up since it seemed to be at odds with the evening feel. ### Technical Details Tripod ![image](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/a/a/aa3396861b5f07b19061b753e3940e08e0586c1c.png) Lr for basic RAW stuff - brought down the exposure, flattened the tonal range a bit, some texture, clarity, sharpening & nr. Sky mask with dehaze, but not much. Photoshop for a lot of work with various masking techniques so I could use them as stencils to paint through with dodge and burn and other adjustment layers. Particularly to add more 3-dimensionality to the landscape which it really needed. Added a curves layer to mess with mid-tones and the darker areas for more contrast. Lifted the shadows in the deepest part of the valley. Also ran a clarity action and confined it to the mid-tones with a mask. Back in Lr I added a radial and gradient filter to even out the far background and to lower the exposure on the rock in the LRC. Phew! ---
**Author:** ![Han\_Schutten](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/han_schutten/32/72686_2.png) [@Han\_Schutten](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Han_Schutten)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 2:45pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/into-the-valley-of-solitude-1-re-edit/28582/2 "2022-06-09T14:45:48Z")
No, it doesn’t look too desaturated. It looks good and, as you said, it fits the evening feel. Interesting valley with lots of detail to explore. Reading your list of post-processing steps, I wonder if I would recognize the scene if I ever visit the place 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Kris\_Smith](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/kris_smith/32/59826_2.png) [@Kris\_Smith](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Kris_Smith)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 2:48pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/into-the-valley-of-solitude-1-re-edit/28582/3 "2022-06-09T14:48:52Z")
You would, while it is a lot of steps, the edits are subtle and localized. Check out my Risen meadow post for a before and after. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_Breitkreuz](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/paul_breitkreuz/32/400_2.png) [@Paul\_Breitkreuz](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Paul_Breitkreuz)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 3:10pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/into-the-valley-of-solitude-1-re-edit/28582/4 "2022-06-09T15:10:00Z")
Kris, the single tree was a hidden plus to the grand vista view overall. Along with the very distinct BG multitude of layer lines this had to be a wonderful site to see in person. Only change might be for some more contrast. However, it’s always to ones discretion on post processing looks in the end… 🕶 ---
**Author:** ![David\_Bostock](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/david_bostock/32/34921_2.png) [@David\_Bostock](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Bostock)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 7:30pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/into-the-valley-of-solitude-1-re-edit/28582/5 "2022-06-09T19:30:12Z")
I think your processing is fine, Kris. This is a wonderful scene even with no dramatic sunset. Well done. ---
**Author:** ![Kris\_Smith](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/kris_smith/32/59826_2.png) [@Kris\_Smith](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Kris_Smith)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 12:25pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/into-the-valley-of-solitude-1-re-edit/28582/6 "2022-06-10T12:25:58Z")
Thanks @Paul_Breitkreuz & @David_Bostock - contrast is one I vacillated with for this one. I’ve put a second image up in the OP - curves adjustment with two masks applied. The linear gradient in the far distance brought down exposure, but not in the lightest parts. A radial gradient in the deep valley to bring up exposure and shadows very slightly. Does that work? ---
**Author:** ![David\_Bostock](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/david_bostock/32/34921_2.png) [@David\_Bostock](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Bostock)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 2:33pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/into-the-valley-of-solitude-1-re-edit/28582/7 "2022-06-10T14:33:31Z")
Kris, your repost added a bit of pop and life that I did not know was missing from the original until I compared them Nice work on the rework. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_Breitkreuz](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/paul_breitkreuz/32/400_2.png) [@Paul\_Breitkreuz](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Paul_Breitkreuz)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 4:27pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/into-the-valley-of-solitude-1-re-edit/28582/8 "2022-06-10T16:27:36Z")
Kris, yes the repost works nicely as David mentions… 👍 ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 5:43pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/into-the-valley-of-solitude-1-re-edit/28582/9 "2022-06-10T17:43:31Z")
I think you brought out the possibilities well here. The composition is very nice and I think the bottom 2/3 is a worthy scene in itself. ---
**Author:** ![Kris\_Smith](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/kris_smith/32/59826_2.png) [@Kris\_Smith](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Kris_Smith)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2022, 6:02pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/into-the-valley-of-solitude-1-re-edit/28582/10 "2022-06-11T18:02:36Z")
Thanks guys - it’s so nice to have other sets of talented and trusted eyes to see when I can’t. @Diane_Miller - I have a few shots of just that little seam of green with no sky so I will have to work on those, too. So. Many. Pictures. 🤪