Photo Engraving Issue

[mike klein]

Looking for some input for engraving this image onto soft maple. Did some test runs after processing with photograv but still not satisfied with the results. The blob of trees at the bottom seem to create a problem..

[Joe Pelonio]

See if this is any better. When I saw your file it had no contrast at all,
sometimes a photo is like that and just can't be made better. I brought
it into Corel Photopaint and this is the best I could do.

[mike klein]

Thanks Joe...That file I uploaded was the original that the customer supplied, and I also adjusted the contrast pretty close to what you came up with. The engraved test results are not the greatest but the best I can come up with. I been adjusting the tone curve settings in photo-paint and seem to get a little better results.

This one is a challenge..

[Mike Mackenzie]

Mike,

Try this one I think the key with this photo is selective lighting I used the Dodge tool and specifically lightened the tree areas and then used the burn tool to darken the mountain edge in the background. You still may have to play with it some more but I think this would be the way to adjust this photo.

[mike klein]

Mike,

Using the tools you mentioned did make a big difference.
The final engraving is about as good as it going to get I believe.

That's basically what I was trying todo was lighten the trees and darken
the mountains and sky. Everything else in between was alright. Tnx
for the assistance guys..