My pp'ing

[jayne]

I think this is the most honest forum I've come across with regards to CC and stuff so, honestly, how is my pp'ing? I use CS5 and like to think I'm pretty good at it but please be honest in telling me what you think. :) (Was thinking about taking the Photoshop course on here but I don't know if it'll be beneficial to me).

SOOC:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4714793263_082a6570ff_b.jpg

After:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4714792823_9266e54022_b.jpg

Thanks folk. :D

[jerryph]

It's all about details and feel. You raised the exposure but over exposed a lot of the shot. Also, the shot has to try to say something, and not all shots need to be super sharp, super saturated, but just be a little unique.

I played with your shot for about 60 seconds, and I was feeling a little tired, a little down and so the shot came out maybe feeling like that.

http://www.syner-g.org/pics/retouched.jpg

Just re-cropped, played with the sharpness, removed the distracting aspects and light desaturation and a little more detail in the sky.

[jayne]

It's all about details and feel. You raised the exposure but over exposed a lot of the shot. Also, the shot has to try to say something, and not all shots need to be super sharp, super saturated, but just be a little unique.

I played with your shot for about 60 seconds, and I was feeling a little tired, a little down and so the shot came out maybe feeling like that.

http://www.syner-g.org/pics/retouched.jpg

Just re-cropped, played with the sharpness, removed the distracting aspects and light desaturation and a little more detail in the sky.

Thank you so much. Unfortunately, I can't see your play. :( Hope you're feeling better today.

[ladyups]

Hey Jayne...I kind of like what you did to your image. You did overexpose a few spots and in my opinion, kind of ruined the lovely light that you captured. Seems like all the different shades of green are now more all the same shade in the edited version. I like the sky better in the SOOC shot but really like how you cropped the poles and signs out. Just curious though...could you not have stepped in a bit closer and eliminated those distractions before you took the shot? Or moved around a bit? I find that when I'm focusing on my subject, I forget about the distractions until after I see the shot on the LCD...then I have to regroup. I believe it was Mark that stated that he carries a frame around with him...so he can get a good before hand look at what he is trying to capture. I liked the idea and carry one with me now...its just the matting out of a frame but it helps visualize my final results so much better!

Not to start any ruckus here...but....in my opinion....no camera rules! Only the photographer does..:D Kaye proves that day in and day out...she post some of the best images on the forum and shoots with a P/S.

[Kaye]

Hi Jayne,

I did view this a few hours ago, but did not have the time to reply.
My initial thought with no other replies showing, was that it was a wonderful edit, with the cloning of the sign... etc on the right side being immaculate. So well done. (Did this take you a long time?)...

I do agree that the exposure is perhaps a little overdone, mainly with the greens.
You could in this case down the exposure a little and then...., as I often do to reassurect one chosen colour that is not quite right.... I use Selective Colour to darken and take the brightness off the greens. If you ++ the magenta, it will darken and also tone down. I use selective colour so much in my edits, I find it very useful, as it does not touch any of the other colours in the shot.

I do also like Jerry's edit very much, but it makes a completely different view of the shot.

[Kaye]

Hey Jayne...I kind of like what you did to your image. You did overexpose a few spots and in my opinion, kind of ruined the lovely light that you captured. Seems like all the different shades of green are now more all the same shade in the edited version. I like the sky better in the SOOC shot but really like how you cropped the poles and signs out. Just curious though...could you not have stepped in a bit closer and eliminated those distractions before you took the shot? Or moved around a bit? I find that when I'm focusing on my subject, I forget about the distractions until after I see the shot on the LCD...then I have to regroup. I believe it was Mark that stated that he carries a frame around with him...so he can get a good before hand look at what he is trying to capture. I liked the idea and carry one with me now...its just the matting out of a frame but it helps visualize my final results so much better!

Not to start any ruckus here...but....in my opinion....no camera rules! Only the photographer does..:D Kaye proves that day in and day out...she post some of the best images on the forum and shoots with a P/S.

Mary, I think your above comments to Jayne and the explanations you made are so well thought out and explained.

As far as the last paragraph is concerned, I cannot thank you enough for your great compliment. Very much appreciated.

[jayne]

Thanks guys. Very much appreciated, thank you! :D I'll be taking all CC on board for my next edit. :)

In answer to your questions, Mary, this was just a snap I took when on a photography trip and my photography partner was paying to park the car, lol. I didn't actually intend on doing anything with it, but after looking at it recently, decided I quite liked it after all! And I agree with you on your last statement. (Even though I do have a soft spot for Nikon and joke that a Nikon camera is far superior to a Canon, lol).

Kaye, the cloning didn't take long at all. I have CS5 and the content aware tool is just AWESOME. If you don't have CS5, look up CS5 content aware on youtube. It's definitely worth upgrading if you have any version of photoshop. :)

[jerryph]

I find that when I'm focusing on my subject, I forget about the distractions until after I see the shot on the LCD...then I have to regroup. I believe it was Mark that stated that he carries a frame around with him...so he can get a good before hand look at what he is trying to capture. I liked the idea and carry one with me now...its just the matting out of a frame but it helps visualize my final results so much better!


Does anyone else not do what I used to do now and then when I am not quite sure... and that is to do that thing with the thumb and forefinger, make a small box and look through it? (don't laugh... lol)

Mostly people in cinema or film do that, but I find it sometimes help me "see" the frame and composition... and quickly reposition if I need to, to get what I want.

I used to do this a lot, but after a while of doing this, I am now just able to see that boxed off area mentally and then reconfirm this through the viewfinder.

I find people that rush to take the shot do not do this enough (see the shot in their mind BEFORE they take the shot). If you are not seeing it before taking it... you are maybe rushing things too much? A habit I did a lot last year was... just look at something, until I saw the shot I wanted, then and ONLY then did I lift the camera up to make what I saw in my mind. Many things in my photography changed once I started doing that. Now, obviously, during weddings, I did not do this, just when time was not a factor. :)

Oh, BTW, Jayne, "can't see your play" as in not liking what I did or cannot see the photo? :)
Today I look at that shot and think "wow, did I do that?" LOL!

[jayne]

Oh, BTW, Jayne, "can't see your play" as in not liking what I did or cannot see the photo? :)
Today I look at that shot and think "wow, did I do that?" LOL!

Sorry Jerry, I mean I can't see the photo. (although I'm sure it's excellent!) :)