Madagascar revisited

[HansE]

These are such nice animals much nicer than monkeys. They have soft hands.



The reason for heading out this way was to see the old Boabab trees Many species here.






The Chinese have started to pay them to grow peanuts. Not appreciated by a lot of people because of the land clearing etc. This was the main road to Tsingy National Park. Very good at this point.

[Grumpy John]

Another set of wonderful travel images Hans. I particularly like #3, lovely sky, it has an atmospheric and calming feel about it. Perhaps just a very slight shadows lift would enhance it even more, but maybe not.

[HansE]

It is likely that the indicated pace of life appeals to us. I too find it apealing the people walk at a different pace in these rural settings.

[wigz]

Very nice set Hans. I agree with John that 3 could be improved with a small boost to shadows and contrast.

[HansE]

Two out of two. I will see what I can do

[HansE]

How is this?

[Isac]

Lovely photos Hans, A place I will never see, so thanks for sharing. About the shadows, I think they're OK - I can see everything quite clearly in the darkest parts, so I think it needs a general boost in saturation, a curves adjustment in those mid tones and a brightness/contrast adjustment on the 3 ladies. Here's what I would do, but it's only my own thoughts.
1. Use a luminosity mask (Midtones #4) on a Curves layer - Input:128 / Output:155
2. Hue/Sat with Master:+70
3. Brightness/Contrast, Brightness:70 / Contrast: 50 and fill the mask with Black and paint (White, Opacity and Flow 20%) just over the ladies.
Here's before and after:

[HansE]

No I agree with John. You have to remember this is before sun up. Hence the lack of brightness and contrast. So while I agree my attempt is a bit drab It is already boosted past reality but Isacs has tipped it a bit far, I do like it on the brighter colours of the clothes though.

[Grumpy John]

It's a fine line between keeping those beautiful pastel colours and and getting the image to "pop" ever so slightly.

[Isac]

I guess not for everyone guys and I wasn't there to get a handle of the atmosphere. That's the beauty of layers and masks I guess, all adjustable