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02/02/2010 07:13:19 PM · #1 |
Whatcha think? I know I take a lot of touristy shots but it's what sells around here. Other than that, whatcha think?
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02/02/2010 07:52:18 PM · #2 |
| It looks like a painting. Did you try to clean up the sky a bit? Some noise reduction will surely help that grainy sky, unless that's what you were going for. Other than that it's a nice composition and one that fits the tourist market in my opinion. |
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02/02/2010 08:20:40 PM · #3 |
Cool shot, nicely framed.
Looks to me like you have used the Spicify adjustment.
I like the effect this gives but I usually tone down the details and exposure settings while in that mode, to reduce the grain a little.
Message edited by author 2010-02-02 20:24:11. |
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02/02/2010 08:25:37 PM · #4 |
If I was doing a CRITIQUE CLUB COMMENT, it would go something like this.
Your composition is excellent. Your colors work well.
There is considerable haloing and waaaaay to much grain.
Topaz needs to be used with restraint, and the sliders make for nice adjustments. Usually it is best to use this less than full strength.
The predominantly blue/green/magenta colors here work well for an over-the-top presentation, which this is. Make it smooth(ish), and if you have a source to market this very nice image, it will likely present well.
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02/02/2010 08:33:48 PM · #5 |
I think it's an absolute mess, frankly. The tool is being abused.
Certainly, the first thing you need to do, before you do any other processing, is get rid of the dust spots. If you can't see them on the original, create a heavily-exaggerated levels layer so you can see 'em, and use the healing brush to get rid of them, then toss the levels layer.
For the rest of it, this amount of noise is just not acceptable, at least not commercially. The haloing is very objectionable as well. You gotta dial way back on this. I know what you're after, but this isn't how to get it.
If you can post a largish original in your workshop, some of us might have a look and see what's doable.
Sorry to be negative, I know it's just your first time. I made some awful hashups myself, when I was starting. Some would say i still do :-)
R. |
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02/02/2010 08:38:18 PM · #6 |
LOL - you now have two ways to direct you to the woodshed for a learning experience.
Play with the program. You'll get it right.
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02/02/2010 08:38:39 PM · #7 |
Use the sliders sparingly, and get the feel of how it works.
Topaz can be brutal until you get a more deft hand at it.
I had a heck of a learning curve but it's worth it once you get the hang of it.
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02/02/2010 08:58:35 PM · #8 |
SEG...I think you were probably going for the painted art look on this.
I tried it out on a bland picture I took this weekend while Geocaching. I think it made it into something I'll keep.
Sorry to say, it's on Flickr. I'll sign up for DPC soon.
All good or harsh critiques welcome....on composition and/or Topaz.
Here it is. |
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02/02/2010 09:06:20 PM · #9 |
One way to use Topaz without losing control of it is to duplicate the image on another layer (Ctrl-J) and run Topaz on the new layer. Add a black layer mask and then gently paint in the Topaz effects on the mask with a white brush. You can control the brush opacity and flow to tone the Topaz effect down in area where that looks better. Then you can also tone it down further by decreasing the opacity of the entire layer. If you mess up you can select the entire mask, fill it with black, and then start over.
If you want, you can also create more duplicates of the original layer and create different Topaz effects in different parts of the image using the same mask technique. This can be a real time killer but occasionally the results are very worthwhile. Good luck! |
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02/02/2010 09:11:12 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by kenskid:
SEG...I think you were probably going for the painted art look on this.
I tried it out on a bland picture I took this weekend while Geocaching. I think it made it into something I'll keep.
Sorry to say, it's on Flickr. I'll sign up for DPC soon.
All good or harsh critiques welcome....on composition and/or Topaz.
Here it is. |
kenskid - you've been around forever. I think you signed up a long time ago.
And yes, this is a bland picture, but it is carefully handled for the detail you obviously wanted. You used Topaz,=? You used it carefully. If it was mine, I'd probably punch up the colors a little bit; failing that I would have prayed for someone in a red jacket (or a red bird) to show up for a nice accent.
Other than that? It is what you wanted and it is carefully done. What more can one want!
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02/02/2010 09:22:49 PM · #11 |
Thanks...yes it screams for a subject...hahaha...but this trail is winter dead ! The green you see is pretty much "weeds" !
I'll post some before and after Topez on another day. I may stick another Topez up later tonight. Seems like a fun plug-in.
Originally posted by sfalice:
Originally posted by kenskid:
SEG...I think you were probably going for the painted art look on this.
I tried it out on a bland picture I took this weekend while Geocaching. I think it made it into something I'll keep.
Sorry to say, it's on Flickr. I'll sign up for DPC soon.
All good or harsh critiques welcome....on composition and/or Topaz.
Here it is. |
kenskid - you've been around forever. I think you signed up a long time ago.
And yes, this is a bland picture, but it is carefully handled for the detail you obviously wanted. You used Topaz,=? You used it carefully. If it was mine, I'd probably punch up the colors a little bit; failing that I would have prayed for someone in a red jacket (or a red bird) to show up for a nice accent.
Other than that? It is what you wanted and it is carefully done. What more can one want! |
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02/02/2010 10:04:26 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by kenskid:
SEG...I think you were probably going for the painted art look on this.
I tried it out on a bland picture I took this weekend while Geocaching. I think it made it into something I'll keep.
Sorry to say, it's on Flickr. I'll sign up for DPC soon.
All good or harsh critiques welcome....on composition and/or Topaz.
Here it is. |
I was going for the painted art look on this one. I think I will try Topaz clean next to lessen some of the grain but I like it. Will probably make postcards out of this one.
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02/02/2010 10:11:21 PM · #13 |
SEG...this Topez thing is pretty cool. I have a 2nd shot here. I took this pic this summer and stored it away. I Topazed it up a little and it gave it a cool look. I dodged and burned the kid a little after Topez.
Rainy Day |
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02/02/2010 11:31:08 PM · #14 |
It looks good on screen but have you tried printing it yet? You've really got to watch the effects because sometimes printing looks a little overexaggerated.
I think for the fun artsy stuff, you might want to consider doing a layer of Topaz Simplify and reduce the opacity until you get a look you like. Also, I use Topaz Denoise on all my pics first and then usually go with Topaz Detail.
I just got an email tonight that they upgraded Topaz Detail. You might want to check it out - I think it is far better than any of the other filters that they have now.
I forgot to say - if you want, send me the file and I'll show you what Denoise and Detail would do for this.
Message edited by author 2010-02-02 23:32:10. |
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02/02/2010 11:41:47 PM · #15 |
| I bought Topaz Adjust awhile ago but I just downloaded all the rest of them for the 30 free trial. Me likey! |
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