Morning Ride
Palo Alto, CA
Tockwotton13 March 2013 -- 72/365Providence, Rhode IslandWith the temperatures in the mid-40s today, I headed to India Point Park at lunch hoping to find an interesting photo.  Just as I arrived, this biker road down the side path and stopped to read the historical marker that details the history of Tockwotton, the original name of India Point.  I managed to get to this spot just as he was preparing to leave, so I asked if he'd mind hanging there a bit longer for my photo.  He was most patient as I found the right angle for my photo.  The sun was in a particularly difficult spot for the shot as you can tell from the harsh lighting and the direction of the shadows.Post processing was a bit involved thanks to the setting and the lighting.  I started with a low contrast filter in Topaz B&W FX.  After adjusting the color sensitivity sliders followed by adaptive exposure, regions, contrast, and boost white.  The real work was in PSE this time.  I applied a 25% dodge to the highlights in the biker's sweatshirt.  I then applied a 30% burn to the shadows in his jacket and to the rear tire and reduced the opacity to 45%.  I also had to edit out a very large overhanging branch that was jet black and extremely distracting.  Once all this was done I applied a levels adjustment, a brightness / contrast adjustment, and topped it off with a sepia photo filter.
Morning Ride
Palo Alto, CA
Morning Ride
Palo Alto, CA
Morning Ride
Palo Alto, CA
See photo in original gallery.