Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
In March, I featured a couple of images captured by my cell phone and discussed my first impressions of Luminar Neo. You can recall that story here. Then Luminar Neo was sitting at version 1.0.2 and I commented that it could have used a little more refinement to meet the expectations their pre-sale advertising garnered.
As I write this, it is now early June, and Neo is now at version 1.0.7. With the addition of a couple of the latest features, most notably the ability to save presets and the automatic masking function, the program is much more aligned with promises made pre-release. I am most impressed with how AI Mask scans the image and locates with accuracy several object types. Though it isn’t perfect, tweaking the mask with a brush allows some sophisticated subjects to be isolated for special treatment in any photograph. Additional masks were also added for radial and linear gradients. Masks can also be copied and pasted for multiple operations on the same masked subject. Luminar Neo has now replaced Luminar AI as my final processing tool for most images, even though there are still a couple of features missing in earlier versions of Luminar.
About the photo: As I wrote in that post in March, Highlands Ranch is one of the largest planned developments in the country and is large enough to be its own city, though mail addressed to Littleton Colorado will get delivered to the correct address in Highlands Ranch. Formerly part of the Big Dry Creek Cheese Ranch, a portion of the ranch still remains as Cheese Ranch Park. Along the walking paths, a replica windmill, a small pond, and interpretive signs tell the history of the park.
As we walked along the path, I noticed some trees leaning heavily with what appeared to be the prevailing winds on the Colorado plains. After walking under the trees, I turned around and saw the symmetry of the leaning trees and captured the image. A rework in Lightroom and Neo provided this view of Cheese Ranch Park. You can click the image above to pixel peep in HD, and to view the other images of this two-part series on Cheese Ranch Park. You can view the entire album here.
I encourage fellow bloggers to create their own Cellpic Sunday posts. I never have a specific topic for this feature, and the only rules are that the photo must be captured with a cell phone, iPad, or another mobile device… If you have an image from a drone or even a dashcam, that’s acceptable as well. The second rule is to link your challenge-response to this post or leave a comment here with a link to your post in the comment.
John Steiner
Flare Legend Adventures
Nice capture. The curving path makes me want to explore it more.
Thanks. That path breaks a rule about leading lines, but it also causes a conflict with the leading lines of the trees. To me, it added some interesting tension to the image.
[…] John’s Cellpic Sunday 12 June […]
I love the leaning trees 🙂
This shot was an example of why it’s important to occasionally look behind you. As we walked down that path and under the trees, I didn’t see that composition. I happened to turn around to look at the scene behind us when I saw the composition.
Yes indeed. Also looking up or down can bring inspiration 🙂
Indeed!
That’s a fabulous tree. Cellphones tend to balance out the light across the picture. I’m not sure I’m a great fan of the results it often gets. But your phone has left some shadows, which I like.
I know what you mean. Cellphone pics can often be improved by careful adjustment of light and shadow in post processing.
Leaning trees making up a natural arch. Nice one
Thanks!
Sharp observation by you, otherwise one would have missed the other slanting trees.
And wind being the reason can explain all the trees leaning towards same direction.
This click is worthy of Geographical society’s attention.
Glad to note that Luminar Neo is able to satisfy you.
Thank you John
Thanks, Philo, for the nice compliment about the Geographical Society!
You are welcome John
[…] Johnbo’s CellPic Sunday […]
Wind can really make nature bend to its will! Gorgeous photo, John, and I like the updated info you discussed on Luminar Neo. Here is mine this week, and thanks for hosting: https://secondwindleisure.com/2022/06/12/sunday-stills-monthly-color-challenge-tickled-pink/
Thanks, Terri. My Travel Tuesday post features some “playing around” with Neo’s layering functions. The more I learn about the latest version, the more I like it.
Those winds must have been very strong and constant to bend those trees. Great shot!
Indeed. The area to the right of the photo is pretty open and apparently some kind of wind tunnel effect is often present.
I love this shot, John. It’s just perfect.
Thanks, Sofia!
Let me guess where the wind comes from. 😉. Love those trees.
Yup! They are cool!
[…] Cellpic Sunday Jun 12, 2022: […]
Your picture looks like a beautiful notecard. It turned out so professionally. It’s amazing that cell pics are that fabulous. I love how you experiment with masks and presets. I love using them, but I’ve never created one.
It does take some effort to learn the tools. I learned to use some new, to me, tools this week. Story coming on Tuesday.
I look forward to it.
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[…] Hi all 😃 This is my latest post for John’s Cellpic Sunday. […]
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Beautifully captured, John! Love the angle you took.
[…] Johnbo’s Cell Pic Sunday 12th June 2022 […]
[…] Since I love to visit the beach at least once a week, I am including vistas from the one I visit the most–Crystal Cove State Beach. I consider it to be my local beach. Crystal Cove has many views, which is part of its charm. Believe it or not, all of these photos are from the same state park. The first two were taken last weekend. I love the June gloom and the peacefulness that it brings. Sharing for Jez’s Water Water Everywhere and John’s Cellpic Sunday. […]
[…] John’s Cell Pic Sunday […]
[…] This post is part of John.S’s Cellpic Sunday […]
Beautiful old trees!
They are indeed!