Tag Archives: #Digital adjustment

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Working with a Silhouette

Friday evening we rolled by Amtrak westward Keystone Train 651 near Shelley Drive in Lancaster.

I’d calculated the running time from Parkesburg based on the departure listed in the ASM.transitdocs app, and it passed within 30 seconds of my estimation.

I made several photos. The leading image is a fairly straightforward view of the former Metroliner cab control car leading the consist. As the train passed, I exposed several digital images in rapid succession.

One of these trailing views made for a graphic silhouette.

Upon review, I decided to play with the NEF RAW file in Lightroom to see if I could improve the image.

Below are several variations, concluding with a converted image using PureRaw software to create a DNG file that I then adjusted in Lightroom.

Details below.

Amtrak Keystone 651 rolls west near Shelley Drive in Lancaster. ACS-64 617 works at the back of the consist.
Trailing silhouette; NEF RAW file without interpretation. This straight out of the camera. File scaled as a JPG for internet presentation.
NEF RAW file adjusted in Lightroom to lighten shadows, control highlightes, enhance color, and alter contrast.
NEF RAW file following conversion to a DNG file using PureRaw.
NEF RAW file following conversion to a DNG file with heavy-handed adjustmentin Lightroom to lighten shadows, control highlightes, enhance color, and alter contrast. Version 1. File cropped to show the primary image area.
Same arrangement as above (PureRaw converted DNG, Lightroom etc). Adjustement version 2.

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