Suggestions for reshooting this shot:

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

01/03/2004 11:14:02 PM · #1

I took this one in the woods the other day and almost like it. I want to go back and reshoot it trying other angles/camera settings... Any suggestions?

LindaLee

Canon EOS-40D

01/03/2004 11:24:34 PM · #2

It looks like some kind of wood carving. Without being able to see more of your "location", it's hard to say what "angles" might work. Is there any part of it (the piece of wood) that is "see-through"? That might make for some interesting shots

moodville

Nikon D100

01/03/2004 11:24:44 PM · #3

It looks like a great study for textures. Did you try it in black and white? How much post processing is done on it? Some of the details seem to have been lost and not sure if that is because of being over sharpened, over contrasted, or else the snow at the bottom is fudging up the shadows/hightlights. I cant really tell how big it is, but trying to position some black fabric/board behind it may isolate some of the features and remove the distractions. Could always get close and get some macro shots of it. Should be an interesting set of shots.

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

01/03/2004 11:43:49 PM · #4

lhall: It's a big hollow log. I think I shot it too straight on for good effect...

moodville: I like the texture study idea! With different time of day lightings this could be really interesting! I still don't have enough experience trying to shoot with snow in the shot. I'm also not sure the best post processing techniques to bring out the snow with out muckin' up the rest...

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

01/03/2004 11:45:59 PM · #5

I think this could be an interesting project. I would try shooting it in a lower light scenario. You also have some contrast to deal with so you may want to do some exposure bracketing as well. Try it later or earlier in the day when the sun is lower.

As for angles, without being able to see the surroundings, I would probably start with a camera close to the ground shooting up... just some thoughts...

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

01/03/2004 11:52:21 PM · #6

If it helps, here is the original unedited except for image and file size.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

01/04/2004 03:02:25 AM · #7

I agree with Moodville. Even though the subject has a nice unique shape. Getting the textures of it might be more exciting and interesting to look at.

If you chose to retake give it a bit more depth of field. The background is a bit distracting. Matches very close to the foreground.

RHoldenSr

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

01/04/2004 03:03:37 AM · #8

Ron

You are right this shot has some great possibilities.
I hope you do not mind but I played around in photoshop a little with this and see what you think:

Here is what I did:

1. Quick overall level adjustment
2. Quick paint mask on inside of log - Level adjust to bring out contrast. I did this numerous times working my way further into the log to draw out the detail.
3. Quick paint mask on the fallen tree - adjusted levels to bring out more color and contrast.
4. Quick paint mask on the sky and background - Gaussian blur 5
5. Quick paint mask on the large log in background - gaussian blur 3
(Trying to create depth with different blur from the main background)

I did not do any sharpening or high pass.
I added .0625 white frame
.125 black frame.

Looks like a great project to reshoot!
Try to get the log and an angle and it should look much better.

Nice work.

mtreit

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/04/2004 03:21:01 AM · #9

Question from a Photoshop newbie (I just got Photoshop CS for Christmas)

What does "I added .0625 white frame [and] .125 black frame." mean?

RHoldenSr

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

01/04/2004 03:25:43 AM · #10

Mike

Congrats on the Christmas gift :)

It means:

Photoshop -
Edit
Canvas Size - Check Relative
.0625 width and height white border
.125 width and height black border

It is used to add frames and borders to photos for viewing on the web. Can also be used for printing.

Originally posted by mtreit:

Question from a Photoshop newbie (I just got Photoshop CS for Christmas)

What does "I added .0625 white frame [and] .125 black frame." mean?

Message edited by author 2004-01-04 03:26:09.

unholycommunion

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

01/04/2004 03:40:22 AM · #11

take another shot inside the log while its on fire...

with remote shoot...you know....just to be safe...

01/04/2004 11:36:05 AM · #12

Originally posted by Calvus:

You are right this shot has some great possibilities.
I hope you do not mind but I played around in photoshop a little with this and see what you think:

Nope don't mind a bit, in fact you managed to get more detail out of the inside than I could. You say you use a quick paint mask, what is that and how do you make it work?

dirtkahuna

Sony DSC-F717

01/04/2004 12:01:24 PM · #13

The background is a bit distracting. Calvus did a good job blurring it, but I wonder if waiting until the lighting was better (morning son?) would've helped.

Your log is the sort of thing that most people ignore, and I always look for that in photographing inanimant things.