Post Processing (Large Images) - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/01/2008 11:46:33 PM · #1

I just got some new rechargeable batteries over the weekend and couldn't wait to get out and take some pics. I have very little experience at post processing and was wondering what you all think about this photo before and after. I cloned out some things and adjusted color with curves, reduced the noise and added the vignette. I may have taken out too much detail but I generally like the result. Suggestions? I know that this could probably be done a lot better.

//i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/nflman001/RegalDuckwebsizeunprocessed.jpg
//i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/nflman001/RegalDuckwebsize.jpg

also I know this may seem retarded but how do you post pics as thumbnails that you can click on if you wish to look at them large?

Message edited by karmat - longest side = 500, please :).

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

12/02/2008 12:26:38 AM · #2

I did a quick take on the image--I like the cloning out of the distracting elements that you did (but I just did a starter crop instead)

In your edit I think the vignette might be a tad strong, and the color/brightness of the water seems to be "blown out" to me. Since you have some nice subtle textures in the water in front of the duck, it seems a shame to lose them.

So, anyway, here is my quick edit--click on the thumb for a slightly larger view.

As for posting thumbs, when you are on your main image in your portfolio, you can look in the browser's address bar, and there will be a numeric identifier at the end of the url. Copy this. Then, in a thread, select next to last icon in the posting window (overlapping rectangles next to the "person") and you'll get a dialog box in which you can paste the identifying number. Voila :-)

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

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

12/02/2008 01:36:46 AM · #3

Perhaps something in this direction...

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/02/2008 07:30:34 AM · #4

Both very nice... what exactly did you do to get the result?

Mark-A

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

12/02/2008 08:23:54 AM · #5

I would probably do something similar to this with the shot personally.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/02/2008 01:25:43 PM · #6

Originally posted by dponlyme:

Both very nice... what exactly did you do to get the result?

Well, I just did a crop to remove the extra branches, but I like the additional curvy reflection of the main branch, so your cloning those out is a better approach. I then just did an overall desaturation, adjusted brightness and contrast just a bit, followed by a bit of sepia and shifting the color balance toward warm (was using Preview on my Mac). I went b/w for two reasons: you have some interesting and subtle textures and tones that, in my opinion, are better revealed and served by b/w. I also found the color of the reflected trees distracting and drawing the eye up and out of the image, so a crop and b/w helped that for me.

I also like Mark-A s crop below, and the cloning out of the lower branches and the little distracting bit works much better than my quick/dirty cropping. I think his crop, and a b/w conversion might be very interesting.... So here is my quick conversion of his version:

You have some beautiful subtly textured negative space to play with, so I think I would do the cloning out first thing, convert (or not) next, and then play around with various small crops from the bottom and top until the image is perfectly balanced.

Message edited by author 2008-12-02 20:30:13.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/06/2008 09:09:02 PM · #7

Here is my final edit on this photo if your interested. Thanks for the helpful suggestions.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

12/06/2008 09:15:18 PM · #8

VERY nice!!!!

I like the tonality you went with, the crop is very good, and you retained & enhanced the subtle textures in the water nicely.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

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

12/06/2008 09:59:13 PM · #9

There ya go, nicely done!

R.