Below are three examples of astrophotos followed by four examples of terrestrial photos, each showing the enhancements that can be made using the Zone Mask Filter.  The images have only been processed with the Zone Mask plugin and no other Photoshop adjustments have been applied.  The original pictures are also raw shots straight from the camera with minimal processing (only stacking and color combining in the case of the astrophotos, and the terrestrial shots are unprocessed RAW frames from a Canon EOS 10D).

Click on the processed thumbnail (right-hand image) for an enlarged cropped section of the image after Zone Mask filtering.

NGC253
Sculptor

This has been the test image for much of the Zone Mask development stage.  It was the first astronomical image we tested with the Zone Mask method and we're still impressed with the results!

Rosette Nebula
Monoceros

The difference here is pretty distinct.  The bright regions have been toned down, the faint areas enhanced, and the fine structure has become much more visible.  The original image is a 6-frame mosaic, so the detail brought out by the filter is impressive.

NGC7331
Perseus

An image of a galaxy with a bright core that has been toned down by the Zone Mask filter.  The structure in the dust lanes around the core has been significantly enhanced, and the detail in the smaller spiral galaxy at the bottom is improved.  Considerable faint detail has also been brought out.

Altar Temple
Chichen Itza, Mexico

This image benefits quite a bit from the Zone Mask filter.  The walls of the temple are washed out in the original but much detail can be seen in the final image.  Texture is enhanced in the grass and trees.  This image was taken with a mediocre-quality lens, so the sharpening effect is considerable in the full size image.  The washed out sky is also improved and cloud detail is enhanced.

Finger Rock Canyon
Tucson, Arizona

The lower half of this image is in shadow, while the upper canyon walls are in sunlight.  The Zone Mask filter brings out the details in the under-exposed shadow areas.  The texture and tonality of the high cliffs and thin clouds streaks are also enhanced.  Again, sharpening is evident in the full size image, bringing out impressive details in the rock formations along the skyline.  (The original image is a 9-image, 50-megapixel mosaic, so there is quite a bit of detail to be seen.)

Navajo Sandstone Hills
Zion Canyon, Utah

The sharpening and detail enhancement in this image is visible even in this reduced-size web image.  The tonality of the trees and bushes is much improved, the shadow areas are opened up, the clouds stand out better, and the color is enhanced.  An excellent example of how a relatively subtle application of the Zone Mask can go a long way.

On the Rocks
Soldier Canyon, Arizona

No filter is going to make the goofy-lookin' dude in the picture (Yours Truly) any prettier, but the rest of the picture is a great example of the Zone Mask filter saving a pretty mediocre exposure.  Note the considerable increase in detail in the washed out rocks in the background and increased detail in the foreground rocks.  The colors are much richer and the texture in the bushes and rock are improved.  The sharpening is visible in this smaller web image.  In the full size image, a significant sharpening effect is visible, saving an otherwise soft and overexposed picture taken with an inexpensive lens in poor lighting.

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