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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Help finishing an image...
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03/13/2012 02:40:47 PM · #1
I shot this image the other day and I am pleased with it...but would like to take it further. I see submitted images on this site and their images have a look or feel to it that just seems like they are more finished...or more real...or depth. Not sure i am making sense, but it is something i have felt I lack in my photography...getting an image all the way there...to the finish...over the line to say.

Here is the image i would like to discuss...this is from Lightroom...



Here it is when i finished working on it in Pshop...



can I get some feedback? suggestions how it could be improved via post processing?

Thanks!
03/13/2012 02:48:25 PM · #2
If you plan to submit these to challenges, you should not show them in a public thread. You need to first upload them to your Portfolio -- if you put them in the Workshop folder they will be hidden unless you provide a direct link (e.g. a text link).
03/13/2012 02:52:30 PM · #3
-Deleted-

Message edited by author 2012-03-13 14:53:05.
03/13/2012 03:08:55 PM · #4
i am not planning to submit this for a challenge, just using it as an example image. I am wanting help with my post processing in general.
03/13/2012 03:22:29 PM · #5
We need a link and/or thumbnail to the image to see it.

If the pic is in your DPC portfolio, you can use the red asterisk (or is it a flower?) icon above the response box to search for it and add a thumbnail to the thread.
03/13/2012 03:33:57 PM · #6
it was showing in the original post...that is strange.

here is the image from LR:

here is the edited version: //www.pbase.com/dlmorel/image/142062886/original


Message edited by GeneralE - replaced large image with linked thumb.
03/13/2012 03:50:32 PM · #7
Originally posted by dlmorel:

it was showing in the original post...that is strange.

here is the image from LR:

here is the edited version:

You need to put the target URL inside the square brackets -- I've re-formatted the links to show how to link a clickable thumbnail from pBase. You should only post images directly if they are 500 pixels wide or less, otherwise post a thumbnail or text link as you did. You can quote this post to check out the code format.
03/13/2012 04:11:48 PM · #8
Not sure if this improves any, but it's at least different from your edit, at least. Biggest thing that bothered me was the very centered placement of the subject in a scene that has a lot of nice strong angles and leading lines. I tried a straight b/w, but that didn't pop for me, so I went with a sepia toned partial desaturation, since there is a strong retro feel to the image.


Levels
Topaz adjust
crop
duplicate
convert upper layer to b/w with Topaz BW effects
dodge dark subject to show details
sepia tone upper layer
reduce upper layer opacity to 69%
partial masking of subject to bring through just a *little* more color from the lower layer.
Flatten
Slight contrast boost using high radius unsharp mask
sharpen

Could probably benefit from adding Godzilla in the scene, but then, everything benefits from that.


03/13/2012 04:38:01 PM · #9
is it just me or is the focus on the tree far left and not on the armish guy?
03/13/2012 04:53:53 PM · #10
Originally posted by Giles_uk:

is it just me or is the focus on the tree far left and not on the armish guy?

You may be right. That could be a result of the camera's auto focus system misjudging what is the subject. I use one focus point and place it on the subject, recomposing after focusing, if needed.

Message edited by author 2012-03-13 16:54:09.
03/13/2012 05:11:14 PM · #11


open image
insert Godzilla
muck muck muck
add fire & smoke
save & post
hope I don't get hollered at
03/13/2012 05:19:06 PM · #12
Originally posted by Giles_uk:

is it just me or is the focus on the tree far left and not on the armish guy?


When i looked at it in the camera i see the focus point on the man...not sure why it seems like it wasn't focused on that point. It is raining out there, maybe that has impacted things. It was shot at a 1/1000 of a second, so i should have stopped the motion.
03/13/2012 05:19:28 PM · #13
Originally posted by dlmorel:

Originally posted by Giles_uk:

is it just me or is the focus on the tree far left and not on the armish guy?


When i looked at it in the camera i see the focus point on the man...not sure why it seems like it wasn't focused on that point. It is raining out there, maybe that has impacted things. It was shot at a 1/1000 of a second, so i should have stopped the motion.


ok...i had to to laugh, but it does look better! :-)
03/13/2012 05:20:31 PM · #14
Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by dlmorel:

it was showing in the original post...that is strange.

here is the image from LR:

here is the edited version:

You need to put the target URL inside the square brackets -- I've re-formatted the links to show how to link a clickable thumbnail from pBase. You should only post images directly if they are 500 pixels wide or less, otherwise post a thumbnail or text link as you did. You can quote this post to check out the code format.


Thank you!
03/13/2012 07:07:41 PM · #15


The thing is. It's finished, when you think it's finished. If it doesn't feel finished, keep experimenting.

Message edited by author 2012-03-13 19:08:13.
03/13/2012 08:13:20 PM · #16
Here is my take on it, If you want to know what I did send me a pm and I will be glad to tell you.

03/13/2012 08:18:01 PM · #17
Not sure about either, sorry, can't help

Message edited by author 2012-03-13 22:26:23.
03/13/2012 09:22:17 PM · #18
my take.

03/14/2012 01:39:39 PM · #19
Thank you all for the comments and recommendations! I appreciate it!
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