Help with boring barn pictures - DPChallenge Forums

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

10/19/2006 01:34:49 PM · #1

So, this work-friend of my mom's asked me to take some pictures of her barn before it gets torn down. I decided to do this as sort of a favor and a future publicity help (when she asked how much I'd charge, I said how about $25)... she also sees this as an actual professional deal, so I am already very late and being very unprofessional -- I put this on the backburner and keep forgetting about it : (

She wanted some nice pictures of the barn during sunset... unfortunately, the sun doesn't set anywhere near the barn, actually, it doesn't even rise near it either.

So now I have these pretty boring pics of this barn and would REALLY appreciate help!! She wants to see them soon to make sure I captured the angle she wants and make sure they're ok, but insists that she has no particular style in mind and wants me to use my creative judgement in processing these.

If you help me out, please list specific PS tools/techniques that you would use so I can replicate it easily and quickly, as I've stepped in way over my head and hardly have the time to write this out, lol!

THANK YOU!

I took the close up door pics in case I wanted to do a collage or something...

digitalknight

10/19/2006 01:55:31 PM · #2

is the barn torn down yet?

The gradient of the sunset or sunrise would be nice in these - have you considered light painting the barn in a sunset sky? (something I'm hoping to try soon).

I think old barns were invented for B&W studies - so my tendency is to do them in B&W. Let me process one and I'll post what I'm thinking.

Guess you don't want to go reshoot even if it is still standing, eh?

I can send you the PSD if you want to see how I got here. It's pretty quick, and all adjustment layers except for some light D&B work on the bright door and the sign on top.

Message edited by author 2006-10-19 14:17:44.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

10/19/2006 02:49:48 PM · #3

Originally posted by amandalore:

She wanted some nice pictures of the barn during sunset... unfortunately, the sun doesn't set anywhere near the barn, actually, it doesn't even rise near it either.

The main thing that would improve these would be shooting them in different light, I think. Not sure what you mean about the light from sunset or sunrise not being near the barn - I assume you mean you can't get a sunset or sunrise in the frame. But often the best sunrise/sunset shots don't have the sun in them. It is the quality of light and how it interacts with subjects that is special at sunrise/set - not the pretty colours in the sky.

Entire movies used to be shot in that 'golden hour' of light, just for the quality of light on the actors' faces and scenes.

If you have the time and inclination, I'd reshoot these in the time just before first light through about an hour after the sun rose, or an hour before sunset, through twilight and see how they look then.

rtscribbs02

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

10/19/2006 03:07:15 PM · #4

Since you said you can't get the sunset/sunrise in the picture, try taking a two pictures-one of the barn and the other of the sunset/rise. Then use photoshop to combine the two images.

nicklevy

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Pentax DA 16-45mm f/4.0 ED AL AF

10/19/2006 03:23:52 PM · #5

Here's a try. I tried to get the feeling of a sunset even if the sunset is not in the image. If you like it I can PM you the steps.

bs-photos

Pentax K7

10/19/2006 03:32:03 PM · #6

I liked this shot, just boosted levels & color balance just a little bit

mecfcosta

Canon EOS-30D

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Canon

10/19/2006 03:34:05 PM · #7

Can't you just put a fake sunset? :) (that was really quick, so don't mind the bad edit)

Message edited by author 2006-10-19 15:34:38.

whiteroom

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/19/2006 04:31:28 PM · #8

off the top of my head :)
no time for neat image

magenmarie

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

10/19/2006 04:38:22 PM · #9

HOLY CRAP. You all and your post processing just FLOOR me. You are all SO amaaaaaaazing.

10/19/2006 09:45:14 PM · #10

I took these shots during sunset time.

I really like the idea of adding a fake sunset like the one mecfcosta did... is there any easy way to do that? It always takes me a while.

Also, bs-photos, how did you boost levels? That's another feature I'm not sure how to use.

And no, no time to go back and re-shoot, besides, I would end up with the same shots; This barn is in the middle of a poor neighborhood in a rural town, there are a bunch of bad looking shanty houses to all sides except the side that is taken up by a gigantic apartment complex.

Digitalknight, could you email me your steps?

goodman and nicklevy, I'm not sure if it's just the small res shots I put up, but the colors seem oversaturated; I wanna keep this somewhat conservative...

Thank you everyone! And yes, the PS talent here is amazing! that's why I always come here for advice

philup

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

10/19/2006 09:57:46 PM · #11

I liked this one..took me about 15 mins in photoshop. PM me if you want the steps. I hope this helps!

Phillip

magenmarie

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

10/19/2006 10:10:40 PM · #12

I tried one too. :)

BlueZamia

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

10/19/2006 10:44:00 PM · #13

It is a great looking sign. Can you tell what it used to say?

Message edited by author 2006-10-19 22:44:54.

sabphoto

Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+

10/19/2006 11:02:03 PM · #14

Do you still have time to re-shoot it? How about adding other elements to it like some of a fence or something like that.

like:

or even something like:

from a distance...just some ideas

Just a thought. I have another (not posted here) that I shot through a barbed wire fence that really helped add some depth and stuff for the eye to see. Tell here that since you are getting paid for the job you are trying to get the best lighting and angles you can for her and it may take some time to do.

On another note...is she keeping the wood when the barn is torn down? See if you can get some for frames...that's good stuff.

good luck

Message edited by author 2006-10-19 23:04:34.

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

10/19/2006 11:26:16 PM · #15

Amanda!
Nothing wrong with your barn pics, you just left too soon. The sunset was awesome.

|When you were there| |& about an hour later|

robshookphoto

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM

10/19/2006 11:55:30 PM · #16

exaggerated levels and usm to give it a digital art look. it would look better as an edit of a higher rez, though, because USM works differently for different resolutions.

Message edited by author 2006-10-19 23:57:40.

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

10/20/2006 01:29:37 AM · #17

Originally posted by bluezamia:

It is a great looking sign. Can you tell what it used to say?

pretty sure it said Shafer's Lumber Yard --> the "'s" is small superscript

Ok cool, looks like I will be playing with more dramatic colors and adding in fake sunsets... and more B&W... oh, and I should add sharpening...

Thank you everyone for help.... !!

like I said before, the pictures are already a drastic improvement from the real barn (especially your guys'), so going back and taking more shots won't do it. These shots are the best of about a hundred I took : )

seriously, this barn was no prize-winner... (and I'm taking into account my level of photo skills)

Thank you thank you!

Elliottjms

10/20/2006 01:47:28 AM · #18

Originally posted by BradP:

Amanda!
Nothing wrong with your barn pics, you just left too soon. The sunset was awesome.

|When you were there| |& about an hour later|

This is just my humble opinion but I agree with BradP, if you think post processing is great with the shots you have imagine what PP could be done with some during sunset or even sunrise. Its totally worth a reshoot. Reshoot and then start another thread to see what post procesing can be done. You could make your deadline with what you have then come back later with better shots as a bonus follow up.

I would suggest a great book that is a very quick and easy read "The Digital Photography Book." by Scott Kelby. I stopped shooting at any other time than sunrise or sunset after this read. His tips are amazing and he gets you there very quickly.

If T\they were shot at sunset, just watch the sky each day and when the clouds are out head out to that barn and get the sunset with clouds.

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

10/20/2006 01:51:35 AM · #19

Originally posted by Elliottjms:

Originally posted by BradP:
Amanda!
Nothing wrong with your barn pics, you just left too soon. The sunset was awesome.

|When you were there| |& about an hour later|

Just in case, mine was completely done in Photoshop ;)

Elliottjms

10/20/2006 01:58:14 AM · #20

Perhaps I should be reading Scott Kelby's "Down and Dirty Tricks" and then I could save some time reshooting. Yes Photoshop is amazing.
:)

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

10/20/2006 05:09:49 AM · #21

R. :-)

mecfcosta

Canon EOS-30D

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Canon

10/20/2006 09:09:13 AM · #22

Originally posted by amandalore:

I really like the idea of adding a fake sunset like the one mecfcosta did... is there any easy way to do that? It always takes me a while.

Amanda, with that picture it was pretty easy. Just used the wand and selected the sky. The whole sky got selected at once. Then you copy the sunset you want, and paste into that selection. Adjust it, try to match the colors/levels/saturation, etc - and done ;)

10/20/2006 02:22:42 PM · #23

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

R. :-)

yes! awesome, how'd you do that? (I really need to do a better job getting out the sensor spots....)