Sunset on the Algarve

Here’s - nearly - what I wanted from this frame:
D6701897.ARW (30.1 MB)
I made two VCs, one using an HDR preset, one using the twlight. Here is the DOP.
D6701897.ARW.dop (37.9 KB)
Then I merged the two prints with Affinity Photo 2’s quick HDR tools.
C&C welcomed (though any remarks about photographers who take the filter adapters on holiday and leave the NDs at home will be seen as hostile, LOL!). In truth, I don’t understand how to use graduated NDs unless the horizon is straight for the whole frame.

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This is purely a matter of taste (to match your memories …).

But instead of choosing “HDR fake”, check out two suggestions in VC 4 + 5.
D6701897.ARW.dop (62,3 KB)

Thankyou, @Wolfgang, but I am stuck. I copied your DOP file into the directory where I keep my RAW files, but when I start PL I cannot see VCs 4 and 5. Do I need to refresh the catalog?

You also need to delete the database, or move the related RAW to another folder, add the new DOP there and then move the pair back.

@Mike_Murphy_1948 Leave the database and your original image and DOP alone and copy your image with a new name e,g, D6701897_Wfg.ARW and then copy the new DOP as D6701897_Wfg.ARW.dop either to the original directory or wherever you consider appropriate for testing and discover the image in DxPL.

Repeat the same process if any other users choose to do some edits on your behalf so that you can keep all the different edits for comparison.

Consider copying your original image to the test location to keep all experiments clear of your original image(s) and edits.

PS:- Sorry, @Joanna’s suggestion of using an additional directory is also good, I don’t personally advocate throwing databases away just for the sake of a simple test like this.

I’m on PL8. Maybe that’s why … No, just checked … Your dop-file reports 8.3.1.

Well, with PL not running, copy your raw-file to a new folder and add my dop-file, which also contains all your efforts. Then start PL8 again.

What happens then …?


This is what they look like


(the sky / coloring treated with different methods)

and a personal note:
The foreground receives no direct light, only the reflection of the beautiful sky. So try to keep it realistic. :slight_smile:

@Wolfgang Something like this maybe @Mike_Murphy_1948

Maybe you have selected ‘None’ as color label filter, like me :slight_smile:

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Well done, @Wlodek , that was indeed the case. I do occasionally use filters, but didn’t remember having left any “active”

Yes, I know. But indulge me, my eyes can see more of the naturally shaded area than the camera can; perhaps because the camera wasn’t looking in that direction earlier in the day.

Anyway, I am enthusiastic about your colours! Thanks!