Warning: ECS - DPChallenge Forums

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

01/15/2005 02:19:44 PM · #1

I donâ��t often ask for critiques on my work but this time I would hope that some of you more knowledgeable ones would pass judgment on my recent photo of Coit tower in San Francisco. It has been photographed billions of times so to get something different would be nearly impossible. I thought the dusk sky and its own lighting made it a rather pleasing scene.

Thanks in advance.

Dick

ECS: Everyone can see.

Message edited by author 2005-01-15 14:26:14.

nsbca7

01/15/2005 02:22:47 PM · #2

Would help if you put a link to the image.

nsbca7

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

01/15/2005 03:48:06 PM · #3

That's better. I think the image is well compossed except for the half exposed statue. You can't really make the guy out, but he is right front and center partially blocking the subject. Great exposure on the tower though.

That was if you wanted my honest oppinion.

If you just wanted someone to tell you what a great shot it is, as it seems most people who ask do, well then, Hey! That is a really great shot.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/15/2005 04:08:21 PM · #4

Thanks for your honest opinion. I guess I could bring him out more in PS, but then I would have competition between two subjects, or would that be alright to do?

e301

01/15/2005 04:38:57 PM · #5

I see no problem with 'competition between two subjects' - one would hope that an image would get more attention than a fleeting second to allow for only one.

I like the statue at the level you have it however: it's perfectly distinct, and perfectly suited to the light of the rest of the image.

As a web display version of the shot, I would however, wish that the whole thing were sharpened a touch.

E

Artifacts

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

01/15/2005 04:40:17 PM · #6

Originally posted by autool:

Good exposure and dusk is great time of day to take Coit. It is a good shot with nice sky color that contrasts nicely with the tower.

The image looks to be just a slight bit soft. I was wondering if you could have shifted right to compose the statue just left of the tower. I fear the trees might block to much of the tower itself. But if not I'd make the statue either a pure black silhouette or brighten it to show more detail depending on how recognizable the figure is from that angle. If recognizable I'd make it jet black.

01/15/2005 04:55:01 PM · #7

Originally posted by e301:

As a web display version of the shot, I would however, wish that the whole thing were sharpened a touch.

E

Sharpening: That is one thing that I have a great deal of trouble with. I never know how much is enough or too much. I stop when things start getting too bright, I guess that would be unwanted artifacts.

01/15/2005 04:57:38 PM · #8

Originally posted by stdavidson:

Originally posted by autool:

Good exposure and dusk is great time of day to take Coit. It is a good shot with nice sky color that contrasts nicely with the tower.

The image looks to be just a slight bit soft. I was wondering if you could have shifted right to compose the statue just left of the tower. I fear the trees might block to much of the tower itself. But if not I'd make the statue either a pure black silhouette or brighten it to show more detail depending on how recognizable the figure is from that angle. If recognizable I'd make it jet black.

At the base of the tower there was a lighted doorway. I positioned myself so the statue blocked most of it and then cloned out the rest. I would have liked to get him clear against the sky, but not possible.

Thanks for all of your input.

Dick

e301

01/15/2005 05:05:47 PM · #9

Originally posted by autool:

Originally posted by e301:
As a web display version of the shot, I would however, wish that the whole thing were sharpened a touch.

E

Sharpening: That is one thing that I have a great deal of trouble with. I never know how much is enough or too much. I stop when things start getting too bright, I guess that would be unwanted artifacts.

PSP has a 'preview in web browser' trick - very useful for seeing what sRGB does to it. As to sharpening - presumably you're looking at on a computer, so you can go as far as you feel is right. I do think that for web display I would stray on the side of too much rather than too little - although stop before you get halo-ing effects. When you've re-sized, try USM set to something like radius .6/amount 100/ clipping 5 and see how you get on.

E

edit: I meant to say, given that this image seems to be quite representative, rather than being about a graphic phenomenon or such reasons.

Message edited by author 2005-01-15 17:07:04.

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

01/15/2005 05:26:29 PM · #10

Originally posted by e301:

I had given it 100 Amount, 1 radius, and 25 Threshold. I tried it at the levels you suggest and it is a big improvement. I guess I need to quit being so afraid of doing way too much and losing what I think is okay.

Thanks again,
Dick

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

01/15/2005 09:43:41 PM · #11

this is one situation where I think centering the subject might have made the image stronger. As it is, the tower appears to lean slightly to the right. I know it's an illusion, but even knowing that I cannot shake the sense that it's leaning.