Post processing critique please!

12/08/2006 12:35:32 AM · #1

This is one of my first DSLR shots, with my new Pentax. Im still getting used to fine tuning in camera settings, and dont currently have the HD space to shoot RAW all the time. Anyway, the original is a jpeg straight out of the camera, one is an initial minimalist PP, the third my actual attempt. All critique/suggestions welcome! Ill repay any advice with comments...

original

1st attempt

Actual attempt at PP

Thanks!

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

12/08/2006 01:49:29 PM · #2

32 views, no suggestions? Is it perfect? I hardly think so...

Louis

Nikon D800

12/08/2006 02:07:54 PM · #3

In my opinion you've done a good job with the post work in these. I also personally like the vignetting you added in the third shot. I think you've done the work necessary to make this picture bright and colourful and pleasing to look at, so there isn't a lot to say I would think. It's good, necessary post work in my opinion. I think I would have sharpened the image (doesn't seem to have been sharpened at all), though it could be argued that the softer feel is more appropriate to the subject matter. And you should really consider shooting raw. One of the first things I noticed was the artefacting around the birds in the sky.

magenmarie

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

12/08/2006 02:09:21 PM · #4

I think it looks teriffic! The only thing I would say is to straighten the horizon. But the colors and everything looks wonderful to me. :)

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

12/08/2006 02:09:59 PM · #5

Nice shot, but I would get rid of the birds.

pamelasue

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

12/08/2006 02:14:03 PM · #6

I am NO expert at PP ... but I prefer the actual (2nd) attempt ... the colors are brighter and far more rich ... I like the way you've brought out the reflective quality in the water also ... I don't have any editing sofware here at work, so I can't play around and offer suggestions ... personally, I kinda find the planes/helicopters a bit distracting ... really cool photo and processing though ...

rtscribbs02

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

12/08/2006 02:18:30 PM · #7

i'd take the birds, or whatever they are, out of the picture. also, make it a tiny bit brighter and add some contrast (not too much).

12/08/2006 02:19:21 PM · #8

Originally posted by magenmarie:

I think it looks teriffic! The only thing I would say is to straighten the horizon. But the colors and everything looks wonderful to me. :)

I knew I forgot something... youre right, it is ever so slightly crooked. I noticed it but completely forgot.

The "birds" are planes. I have the same shot without them, I dunno, I kinda like them...

Now Ill get on some commenting...

magenmarie

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

12/08/2006 02:22:02 PM · #9

Originally posted by option:

Originally posted by magenmarie:
I think it looks teriffic! The only thing I would say is to straighten the horizon. But the colors and everything looks wonderful to me. :)

I knew I forgot something... youre right, it is ever so slightly crooked. I noticed it but completely forgot.

The "birds" are planes. I have the same shot without them, I dunno, I kinda like them...

Now Ill get on some commenting...

I know how that goes...In my current challenge entry, I forgot to sharpen it!!! ARG!

jaxsond

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

12/08/2006 02:28:26 PM · #10

I, too, agree that the birds/planes, whatever, look like sensor dust and do nothing for the image in my opinion

12/08/2006 02:51:22 PM · #11

Planes gone, horizon straightened, contrast and brightness bumped a tad. Ive blown some of the highlights though...does anyone see that as a problem? how would you work around that, preserving the highlights while brightening everything else while still maintaining high contrast?

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G

12/08/2006 02:55:21 PM · #12

Good job. I like it better now. There is still a little distracting speck in the water on the left that I would take out. I would probably also use a new layer and adjust the curves of the water to make it pop out more and blend the 2 layers together with a mask.

vikas

Apple iPhone 13

12/08/2006 02:56:07 PM · #13

CAme here to post my opinion, saw the last shot you posted and you have already done what I was going to suggest!

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

12/08/2006 03:03:35 PM · #14

Originally posted by candlerain:

My layer skills are currently limited to making borders. Care to take a stab at it?

wavelength

Nikon D300

12/08/2006 03:17:25 PM · #15

Set black point on the hills, bumped the whites a bit, left mids alone.

Bumped the blues and cyans (slight hue shift) shifted the yellows to red.

Yeah, don't like the large border.

edit - oops, cropped a bit off the bottom.

Message edited by author 2006-12-08 15:18:50.

Pentax SMC DA 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR

12/08/2006 03:24:43 PM · #16

Hmm... I dont usually like deviating too far from natural, but your edit certainly adds alot more punch to it, making it more interesting (although very exaggerated).

Prism

Pentax K-30

12/08/2006 03:31:08 PM · #17

Originally posted by option:

Left you a comment on the pic.

wavelength

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

12/08/2006 03:34:46 PM · #18

Originally posted by option:

Hmm... I dont usually like deviating too far from natural, but your edit certainly adds alot more punch to it, making it more interesting (although very exaggerated).

photojournalist or artist, your choice.

agenkin

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

Nikon MF Nikkor 20mm f/3.5 AIS

12/08/2006 03:52:13 PM · #19

Originally posted by wavelength:

photojournalist or artist, your choice.

Wrong options. Photographer or a digital painter. You choose.

12/09/2006 02:02:06 PM · #20

Thanks for the advice, all. I think I got at least one comment in on everyone who stopped by!

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

12/11/2006 10:59:36 AM · #21

Originally posted by option:

Hmm... I dont usually like deviating too far from natural, but your edit certainly adds alot more punch to it, making it more interesting (although very exaggerated).

I don't find this exagerated... He just put more emphasis on what is already there... It was captured by the camera. No colors were 'added'.

Message edited by author 2006-12-11 10:59:59.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

12/11/2006 11:53:22 AM · #22

Here's what it looks like with a fairly pronounced tone mapping. There are noise and haloing problems, but that's due to working from the small original. Something pretty close to this could be gotten from shadow/highlight in CS2 if you have that. And of course anywhere in between this version and your latest version would be fruitful territory.

To answer your question on your latest version, I don't see the highlights as blown at all. I'm more concerned with the murkiness of the shadow areas in the bottom half.

R.

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

12/11/2006 12:08:30 PM · #23

Oh how I wished I had

Bear_Music's many talents...

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

12/11/2006 12:10:33 PM · #24

Originally posted by candlerain:

Oh how I wished I had Bear_Music's many talents...

That's kind of you to say, but there's basically zero talent involved in what I did here; it's just that straightforward application of a tool. Anyone could do it with a little practice if they had the tool :-)

R.