Yes, the blacks were left at 5, or maybe/probably I lowered to '3' I can't remember exactly.agorabasta wrote:Doc, is it correct that the ACR default level for the 'blacks' was left at '5'?
Generally speaking, that level is too high and clips out too much of shadow detail. But judging from the scene, I'd say that the lens contrast is pretty good. It may well be excellent, but we simply cannot know that for sure if blacks are left at '5'.
Still the result is very good, simply since the clipped shadows distribution is fairly related to the object features. So I think your copy is truly good.
P.S. Just for the reference, given such conditions, the cheap kit SAM 18-55 would need blacks in ACR set at 10-15 just to show some hint of shadow clipping, and that clipping would be shapeless.
I can lower the blacks to '0' and upload the shot if that helps, just let me know.