Getting detail in surf

[BunCac]

I take a lot photos of windsurfing/kitesurfing etc. I am always disappointed with the white surf as it is difficult to get a bit of clarity in it without it being blown out or underexposed. Any hints how to improve this? I am also having problems with the sky colour. I've tried looking for tutorials on the subject but can't find any.

[GarryP]

Welcome to the forums @BunCac

It might help you to get some replies if you explain more about what you mean by “a bit of clarity in it” and “having problems with the sky colour” - both of these things are a bit vague.

It might also help if you post an image (or a link to an image) which looks more like what you want - explaining which part(s) of the image you like - so people can compare the two images and give you advice on how to make one look more like the other.

Otherwise we are just guessing as to what you want and the discussion may take more time to get to the point.

[John Rostron]

@BunCac It would also help if you told us about how the pic was taken. Was it captured in Raw or Jpeg? Did you try any exposure compensation when taking it. A raw file will have more exposure latitude for you to be able to avoid the over-exposure without clogging the shadows (as in the wetsuit).

John

[BunCac]

Thanks for replying. Not quite sure why the foreground there is some pink in it - bad editing on my side.

I always shoot in RAW. I was using a 120-400 lens. Settings were at shutter speed priority, f14, ISO400 (which should have been at around 250) and auto WB. It was a cloudy day with a rain on the way. No exposure compensation. This was an underexposed photo and I had to do quite a bit of editing to make it look decent.

My query is:

Sky: Not just with this photo, but also with many other photos that are at a good exposure, my sky is always left looking slightly on the greyish blue side and I cannot seem to fix it.

White water/surf: I like to grab a bit of detail in the surf (talking about the main stretch of white surf below the windsurfer). I get that detail if I reduce the highlights, but then the surf looks very dull. I would like the surf to look brighter with a bit more detail in it. 

Hope the above is a bit clearer. The smallest of suggestions is welcome. Thanks.

[BunCac]

The surf under the windsurfer is what I am want to achieve each time. The sky has that usual slightly grey tinge to the blue once again.

[NotMyFault]

To tackle the sky color, you have lots of options.

add curve adjustment, select green channel, add a node (by color picker) and reduce green slightly.

or use HSL, selective color, …. Whatever works best for you. Even a gradient map (masked to sky area) could be useful, to have ultimate control which hue will be applied.

to tackle the white, add clarity filter, slide to 50-75%, invert layer, use brush in white and paint over areas where you want the effect.

[NotMyFault]

Just as rough idea (bad masking)

[BunCac]

Curve adjustment/green channel has made a big difference. Thank you for that. Having a bit of trouble with the surf, but have fiddled around using an eliptical gradient overlay and that has made a little bit of a difference. So many different functions and so much to remember, but I keep bookmarking everything.

Thanks a lot - the above has already helped a lot. Of course, the RAW photo with the correct exposure makes life easier in the first place!

[BunCac]

Just wanted to say thanks again for all your help.

Did exactly what you said in this photo and surf has turned out just how I want it. And asky is very much improved too.