What can I do? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

02/21/2005 09:48:51 PM · #1

There is something I like about the composition of this shot, but it was just a little underexposed. I want to try to save it but no matter what I try it dosen't look right. I use PS 6 and/or Elements 2. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Here is the original:

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

02/21/2005 09:53:55 PM · #2

For now I'd try and change the color of the sky to a more neutral gray or bluish color. I use Curves for most of my basic adjustments; I'd try applying one to the Blue channel here.

Message edited by author 2005-02-21 21:54:12.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

02/21/2005 10:19:30 PM · #3

Thanks for the tip. Here is my initial result:

Ok, here goes...

This is what I think I did using curves in PS 6:
-Increased blue channel highlights (upper right portion of line)
-Decreased red channel highlights (upper right portion of line)
-Increased Blue channel midtones (middle of line)

I think it looks a bit better, but I don't really understand how to use curves (as if it wasn't already obvious). Is there a site or thread that might help explain it?

Also, is there any way to ease the effects of reducing the image size on the sharpness of the image? This shot looks reasonably sharp at 3072x2048, but really suffers at 640x320.

Thanks again, I really appreciate the help.

deapee

Kodak V803

02/21/2005 10:32:21 PM · #4

adjust hue / saturation, fade that layer so it's just visible in the sky to give it that glow near the horizon...you could make that more orange if you wanted or smaller, then erase that blue around the buildings. Adjust curves, sharpen, resize and add border...

lentil

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM

02/21/2005 10:33:10 PM · #5

Originally posted by deapee:

how do you do that. Just change one area of the photo?

deapee

Kodak V803

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

02/21/2005 10:33:58 PM · #6

use a hue/saturation adjustment layer. then with the gradient tool, make it fade from black to white. then draw in the areas you don't want it visible.

lentil

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM

02/21/2005 10:35:15 PM · #7

ok. Thanks. Will try it out

Tokina AF 28-70mm f/2.8 ATX Pro-SV for Canon EOS

02/21/2005 10:46:29 PM · #8

Wow. Thanks, this will probably keep me busy for a while. I really do need to learn how to use photoshop effectively. This site is such a great resource.

Thanks again deapee and GeneralE, now that I know it can be done, I won't give up 'til I get it right.

MWitt

Canon EOS-5D

02/21/2005 11:59:30 PM · #9

Originally posted by nickp37:

Thanks for the tip. Here is my initial result:

Ok, here goes...

This is what I think I did using curves in PS 6:
-Increased blue channel highlights (upper right portion of line)
-Decreased red channel highlights (upper right portion of line)
-Increased Blue channel midtones (middle of line)

I think it looks a bit better, but I don't really understand how to use curves (as if it wasn't already obvious). Is there a site or thread that might help explain it?

Maybe you should try to learn Levels first.
1. Make a Levels Adjustment layer.
2. When the Levels editor comes up change channel to Red, holding down the Alt key, click and drag the little clear triangle on the right, to the left just until you see red bits show up in the black. Then do the same thing to the left triangle, if it needs it.
3. Do step two for Green and Blue.
4. Then change back to RGB and raise the Input Levels, only the textbox in the center to 1.15.

This is one of the first things I do to my photos. I then go back and tweak each of the channels until the photo looks good.

Then you can go in and make a curves adjustment layer and tweak that. I suggest starting out with the standard S curve. You can do this by placing a control point directly in the middle of the line. Then place one directly between the center control point and the top and one between the bottom and center. Leave the middle point where it is and adjust the two new points between center and outside corners to get the results you are looking for. Experiment! Have fun.

Hope that helps a little.

Cheers....Martin

deapee

Kodak V803

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

02/22/2005 12:17:20 AM · #10

You could buy the book "The Photoshop book for digital photographers" by scott kelby. There's tons of useful stuff in there.