I like the curving track in the shadow of the hillside at Tamaqua, Pa. This has that classic look of old time mountain railroading.
Below are two versions of the same digital file. I exposed this view of Reading & Northern’s vintage EMD diesels in early evening light using my Nikon Z7-II.
The top photo is an in-camera JPG that was enhanced at the time of exposure using Nikon’s Active D-Lighting setting.
The bottom photo is the camera’s NEF RAW file with adjustments in post processing using Adobe Lightroom. These refined the contrast and controlled highlight and shadow setting.
In-camera JPG enhanced using Nikon’s Active D-Lighting setting NEF RAW file with adjustments in post processing using Adobe Lightroom.
We arrived at Cherry Hill Road shortly before Strasburg Rail Road’s evening train was due.
This presented a comparison opportunity.
Working with my Nikon Z7-II, I simultaneously exposed in RAW and JPG (with Active D-Lighting feature ).
The purpose of this comparison was to see how close Active D-Lighting would match my post-processing corrections in a ‘perfect’ evening sunlit situation.
Below are three versions. The first is the un-modified camera-RAW (scaled and converted to JPG for presentation in Word Press); the second is the same RAW file adjusted in Lightroom to my desired appearance in terms of exposure, contrast, color and saturation. The last is the scaled in-camera JPG with Active D-Lighting feature.
Un-modified camera-RAW (scaled and converted to JPG for presentation in Word Press). In order to maximize the amount of data captured, I intentionally exposed the RAW on the dark side and plan to adjust highlight and shadows appropriately in post processing. Normally, I would not present the unmodified RAW file.Same RAW file as above, but adjusted in Lightroom to my desired appearance in terms of exposure, contrast, color and saturation.Scaled in-camera JPG with Active D-Lighting contrast-reduction feature.
Tracking the Light examines railroad photography every day!
I’ve continued to experiment with my Nikon Z’s ‘Active D-Lighting’ contrast reduction feature.
In this example, I photographed an Indiana & Ohio C40-8CW in the New England Central yard at Palmer, Mass.
This was a perfect opportunity to see how the Active D-Lighting feature would accommodate high-contrast midday sun.
Since the ADL feature only affects the in-camera JPG, I opted to craft a comparison image working from a PureRaw converted RAW file that I manually adjusted using Adobe Lightroom.
The Jpg is right out of the camera and scaled for internet; the converted RAW file required a host of manually implemented color, contrast, and exposure corrections to make the most of the image.
Any thoughts?
In-Camera JPG with Active D-Lighting feature. Other than size scaling, this is free from adjustment.Nikon NEF RAW file adjusted manually. Consider the difference in truck detail between this photo and the In-camera JPG.
It’s been nearly five years since I bought my first Nikon Z-series mirrorless camera and I’m still exploring the camera’s features.
Normally when working with the Nikon Z, I exposed photos simulataneously in NEF Raw and JPG. Typically, I only use the JPGs as back up and to quickly review images (because it is easier and faster to open the JPG files). I work with the NEF files using Lightroom and other software to make the most of images in post processing.
One of the advantages of my FujiFilm X-Series cameras is that the photos come right out of the camera with excellent color. I can select from a variety of color profile presents that emulate Fuji’s popular film color palates. Not only are the JPGs typically ‘ready to go’, but I can easily apply the present color profiles to the Fuji RAW (RAF) files and use the Fuji color profiles as a starting point when refining RAW images in post processing.
My Nikon Z cameras offer a feature called ‘Active D-Lighting’ that can be applied in-camera to the JPG files as a tool to reduce contrast and make the most of high-contrast situations.
The other day, Seamus-the-Dog and I were driving around. I planned to intercept the 11am Strasburg Rail Road excursion to Leaman Place. It was intermittently raining and the sky was bright with laden clouds. I felt this would be a grand opportunity to try the Active D-Lighting feature. I selected one of the intermediate ADL settings.
Below are my scaled, but otherwise unaltered JPGs. This reflects the color and contrast as preserved in the original file.
More exploration of this feature is necessary. Stay tuned.
