Pictures like this (and I know this is an already-beautiful rainforest) remind me of how a place looks when you imagine it in your head. They have a kind of magical, dreamy touch while also being fairly true to life.
I think the effect I like is what I perceive as the low depth of field (which I assume is the key here?) –– but beyond the blur/focus factor. I'd like to understand how to recreate these admittedly contradictory things about it:
color: very vibrant (red hat, yellow exterior leaf tips) and also desaturated (green leaves in darker part) and never fake-looking.
edges: Strongly defined, even sharp (grainy?), while soft, light, and faint.
detail: Also defined, as if shadows were lifted and highlights decreased (if we're talking post processing) – but what would be defining the stronger blacks then? There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of darkness.
lighting: very intense but somewhat diffused and soft.
In general, the image is soft, and it pops at the same time. So, what's the effect and how do I get it in these two ways?
In camera: wide aperture? Increased exposure? Slower shutter speed? Higher ISO? Lower ISO but slower shutter speed? And so on..
Post production: Increased exposure with stronger blacks? Increased shadows with stronger blacks? Decreased contrast with stronger blacks? Increased contrast with weaker blacks? Vibrance up, saturation down? Selective saturation and desaturation? Tone curve? Sharpness up, clarity down? Clarity up, sharpness down? Sharpness down, grain up? You get the idea... Thanks for your help!
source:Michael Melford via National Geographic 
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