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DPChallenge Forums >> Individual Photograph Discussion >> Suggestion for fixing colors
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 11/19/2005 09:51:38 PM · #1
There is something about these photos which just looks odd to me. I took them with my S1IS over the summer and I can't put my finger on what is making them look dull/odd to me.



Any help would be appreciated. I like the photos as a whole and would love to use them as a general portfolio piece so I want to make sure they're looking their best.
 11/19/2005 09:56:35 PM · #2
To me they look slightly underexposed. The second one needs more light as well. The second image feels flatter than the first probably due to the non-reflective rock.
 11/19/2005 10:03:26 PM · #3
I agree with both of those comments. It was a cloudy day and I had failed to adjust my settings from the previous location which was considerably brighter (this was a day trip around Kingston, Ontario). I was fairly new to photography and had yet to master full manual controls.

I failed to mention that I've got PS elements 2 and would like to improve, as much as possible, these photos. I'd appreciate any suggestions with regards to what features and processes would yield the best outcome for these photos.
 11/19/2005 10:14:48 PM · #4
I really like the first one. Here's how I personally would have edited it:



I adjusted levels, desaturated, cropped, and added a border.

[edit: and sharpened]

Nordlys

Message edited by author 2005-11-19 22:20:22.
 11/19/2005 10:14:49 PM · #5
There's tons you can do... Start with "levels", "curves" and maybe "shadows/highlights"...if those are available in Elements.

Originally posted by ShorterThanJesus:
I agree with both of those comments. It was a cloudy day and I had failed to adjust my settings from the previous location which was considerably brighter (this was a day trip around Kingston, Ontario). I was fairly new to photography and had yet to master full manual controls.

I failed to mention that I've got PS elements 2 and would like to improve, as much as possible, these photos. I'd appreciate any suggestions with regards to what features and processes would yield the best outcome for these photos.
11/19/2005 10:46:24 PM · #6
Originally posted by ShorterThanJesus:
I agree with both of those comments. It was a cloudy day and I had failed to adjust my settings from the previous location which was considerably brighter (this was a day trip around Kingston, Ontario). I was fairly new to photography and had yet to master full manual controls.

I failed to mention that I've got PS elements 2 and would like to improve, as much as possible, these photos. I'd appreciate any suggestions with regards to what features and processes would yield the best outcome for these photos.


I think with both you could just select the white point while in levels (using the white point dropper). Just watch the numbers for R/G/B while moving the dropper around the image and select the point which has the highest number for all three.
 11/19/2005 10:51:03 PM · #7


curves
selective color
midnight sepia action
midnight blue (nik color efex pro)
guassian blur then overlay with soft light

To fix the colors and add more contrast to your shot you would only need the curves and selective color... i went a bit overboard on adding a dreamy effect to the shot :-)
 11/19/2005 11:50:09 PM · #8
I really like the second image, and here's my attempt with editing...



velvia action @ about 40%, probably on 'lighten' instead of 'color'
duplicated, and erased all but the ducks
midnight blue, placed as a layer in between the two, on saturation @ (can't remember percent)
flattened...
took to psp, lightened in histogram, and in levels, set at 'slight tan'
added border...

(approximate steps, i think i fiddled with the shadows/highlights and a bit o selective colour too...) I should learn to write things down or not close programs until finished. (-:
 11/20/2005 04:45:42 AM · #9
Sticking strictly with your thread title� have you read the tutorial on color correction?

//www.dpchallenge.com/tutorial.php?TUTORIAL_ID=24
 11/20/2005 04:54:12 AM · #10
I love the first one. Played with it a little. More organic approach, no tricks. Contrast masking, levels, a little goose in hue/sat.



Robt.
 11/20/2005 05:16:35 AM · #11
A quick attempt:
Before>
After>

11/20/2005 05:24:19 AM · #12


Just a very quick fix using minor adjustments.

Steve

This doesn't look anything like I just did. Posting it has made it darker and less detailed.

Message edited by author 2005-11-20 05:25:46.
 11/20/2005 05:47:41 AM · #13
The first one is a little flat because of the limited range. Here are my attempts




11/20/2005 01:34:24 PM · #14
Thanks all. Those are some excellent ideas. I'll try them out on the original sometime soon.

Assuming a long zoom shot (equivalent to S1IS at full) where even the most powerful flash would not reach, how can you increase the vibrancy of an image? With a cloudy sky, moving subjects, and a limited aperature, what would you suggest to get the best light and color out of an image straight from the camera (thus better raw material to work with in photoshop)?
 11/20/2005 02:50:59 PM · #15
Originally posted by ShorterThanJesus:
Thanks all. Those are some excellent ideas. I'll try them out on the original sometime soon.

Assuming a long zoom shot (equivalent to S1IS at full) where even the most powerful flash would not reach, how can you increase the vibrancy of an image? With a cloudy sky, moving subjects, and a limited aperature, what would you suggest to get the best light and color out of an image straight from the camera (thus better raw material to work with in photoshop)?


1) Try partial metering on something that is of medium tone and in the same light as your subject
2) If number 1 can't be achieved then decide if your main subject is lighter or darker than medium tone and adjust the exposure accordingly

This will give you the best exposure going into photoshop. If you have a RAW format on your camera (S1 IS doesn't) then shoot RAW in tricky situations and adjust in the RAW converter.
 11/20/2005 03:11:08 PM · #16
I think you needed a polarizing filter to get the results you wanted.
 11/24/2005 10:51:35 AM · #17
Originally posted by ShorterThanJesus:
Thanks all. Those are some excellent ideas. I'll try them out on the original sometime soon.

Assuming a long zoom shot (equivalent to S1IS at full) where even the most powerful flash would not reach, how can you increase the vibrancy of an image? With a cloudy sky, moving subjects, and a limited aperature, what would you suggest to get the best light and color out of an image straight from the camera (thus better raw material to work with in photoshop)?


In general, when it's overcast there's nothing very bright or very dark in an image. In these conditions it's good to add exposure (+1 or +2 EV) to move all the tones towards the right side of the histogram, where more information is captured by the sensor. Then in PS you can use levels to both increase the contrast and darken the image down so it looks more natural. You'll have a fuller range of tonalities in the darker zones this way.

Robt.
 11/24/2005 11:49:15 AM · #18
Well I am still learning pp editing, so I played a little in Photoshop elements 4.0 with your pic. I have 2 versions here is one of them. This is just basic editing and may be a little over the line into artsy world. I would recommend though that with shots taken in that lighting that you try a circular polarizer takes alot of the glare and blown out areas out and brings out the colors. May have to change your exposure settings, and if you take it in Raw you can do alot more with it after the fact. Hope this is what you were looking for. And keep in mind, I too am a beginner.





Edited to add the image after neat image.

MattO

Message edited by author 2005-11-24 12:23:40.
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