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Love this shot but . . .
- Thread starter Briansdad1
- Start date
Briansdad1
Senior Member
Briansdad1
Senior Member
Thanks. I like the authenticity of the way it is. Add more and it looks likes a PP vignette.
Bill
Briansdad1
Senior Member
Most of my "thorny situations" as not photographable ;-) so this one is unique in that regard.
Yup, you know the drill. The worst part is that so many are in poor light and haze. Did get a lot of interesting skies, though. I bracketed just about everything so I could HDR to bring out some color and detail but I can't seem to predict which ones will PP well, so I PP many more than I should. Gets monotonous. But, now and then there's one worth it.
Yah,, didn't you hate it when you got those rolls back only to find out the ISO was set wrong and the whole thing was a wash. I Did some time touring Europe (on 5 dollars a day) while in college. Spent all night in Rome doing time exposures of the lit up fountains and ancient buildings. Got bak the film (slides) and and to find the processor had cut every image down the middle so that each slide had the left half of on image and the right half or the next!
In a week, I swear, maybe.
Bill
Briansdad1
Senior Member
You did a excellent job with the center area especially at the edges where blending in can be such a pain. But, though your reasoning is sound, I think I like the high key effect of the original as it conveys the feeling of hot desert (as it was).As with other posts Eric's and Stuart's versions are well done.
I took a different approach to Stuart's version, and Bill's (OP) requests of the "... something light and soft like around the edges of this photo...." on the premise that our eyes generally drift towards the brighter/sharper area of a image. Hence I darken/blurred the edges in an attempt to help make the bird the focal point of the image.
As with Stuart's version, I opted to fill the open area above the bird to match the other smaller open areas.
Thank you to the work you put in. I'm saving your version, too.
Bill
--
Bill
(not "Brian" - he's my deceased dog which I loved dearly)
I'm not a pro. Images I post, except people pix, are unrestricted for non-profit only. Please do not redistribute any of the people pix I post. C&C always welcome and encouraged - I'm not touchy about the negative comments. https://www.flickr.com/photos/118214307@N08/
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Briansdad1
Senior Member
Thanks
Thanks, again!
You'd have to grab it first - I wouldn't do that if I were you. I got pin-cussioned 6 feet away!I wouldnt suggest puting the bird in a flying saucer heading to nowhere , but it is tempting !
Bill
F
fmpicture
Guest
Oups, i forgot to precise that the flying saucer was the post processing idea to erase the white area, so it becomes a windows with a view to space, not a bad intention for that nice bird
MoreGooderPhotos
Leading Member
What a great image! I took the challenge too. Similar to others, but in my attempt the background wound up with more needles. I used LR5, about a 10 cloned spots, and a correction brush over the area.
I enjoyed playing with the image. However, I bet your experience of actually taking the image (even the itching that you had to put up with) will be a found memory for you.
I enjoyed playing with the image. However, I bet your experience of actually taking the image (even the itching that you had to put up with) will be a found memory for you.
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PhotOptimist
Senior Member
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"Add more and it looks likes a PP vignette."
True.
True.
Briansdad1
Senior Member
Yes, it was a beautiful setting though harsh yet life prospers taking advantage of (more than just adapting to) the conditions nature provides.
You fill of the center is much like I was getting. Good color/light but the edges seem to say "anti-alias here." I hope no offense is taken - After all I say this of my own effort too. It's hard to get these changes to look 100% natural. I actually tweaked the edges of W-golfer's edit a bit more than he did for my keeper (see that one just below your edit below)
Bill
--
Bill
(not "Brian" - he's my deceased dog which I loved dearly)
I'm not a pro. Images I post, except people pix, are unrestricted for non-profit only. Please do not redistribute any of the people pix I post. C&C always welcome and encouraged - I'm not touchy about the negative comments. https://www.flickr.com/photos/118214307@N08/
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B
Billy Ray Valentine
Guest
How in the world did you take 80G of pics on one trip?
I do see a picture of a guy on Wikipedia "spray and pray" page, can you pls post yours so I can see if you are a match?
I do see a picture of a guy on Wikipedia "spray and pray" page, can you pls post yours so I can see if you are a match?
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MoreGooderPhotos
Leading Member
Yup! That second image is the real deal.Yes, it was a beautiful setting though harsh yet life prospers taking advantage of (more than just adapting to) the conditions nature provides.
You fill of the center is much like I was getting. Good color/light but the edges seem to say "anti-alias here." I hope no offense is taken - After all I say this of my own effort too. It's hard to get these changes to look 100% natural. I actually tweaked the edges of W-golfer's edit a bit more than he did for my keeper (see that one just below your edit below)
Bill
--
Bill
(not "Brian" - he's my deceased dog which I loved dearly)
I'm not a pro. Images I post, except people pix, are unrestricted for non-profit only. Please do not redistribute any of the people pix I post. C&C always welcome and encouraged - I'm not touchy about the negative comments. https://www.flickr.com/photos/118214307@N08/
danielsonkin
Forum Pro
Bill,
I played around with the shot and here are a few options.
First, I would crop it a bit. The outside over-exposed areas distract a bit from the whole purpose of the shot. In fact, the first time I looked at it I didn't even see the bird.
The second thing I did was brighten up the bird to make it even more noticable. This was done with a dodge mask.
Now the background. It isn't necessarily a problem as is. However, I wouldn't put anything in there, because it's just going to look artificial. So what I did, was lower the exposure a bit with a mask on the left photo. On the right version, I got a little more creative and cloned out certain elements, so that the edges of the head of the bird are against the background. Then I blurred it a bit to just make it look more natural.
I did all these things in Photogene, except the cloning which I did on Touch/Retouch - all on my ipad. You can do the same with Lightroom, Photoshop Elements and numerous other programs.
Of course, you need to like it before anyone else, but I hope this gives you some ideas.
Take care,
Daniel
I played around with the shot and here are a few options.
First, I would crop it a bit. The outside over-exposed areas distract a bit from the whole purpose of the shot. In fact, the first time I looked at it I didn't even see the bird.
The second thing I did was brighten up the bird to make it even more noticable. This was done with a dodge mask.
Now the background. It isn't necessarily a problem as is. However, I wouldn't put anything in there, because it's just going to look artificial. So what I did, was lower the exposure a bit with a mask on the left photo. On the right version, I got a little more creative and cloned out certain elements, so that the edges of the head of the bird are against the background. Then I blurred it a bit to just make it look more natural.
I did all these things in Photogene, except the cloning which I did on Touch/Retouch - all on my ipad. You can do the same with Lightroom, Photoshop Elements and numerous other programs.
Of course, you need to like it before anyone else, but I hope this gives you some ideas.
Take care,
Daniel
Briansdad1
Senior Member
Brackets and RAWs - Eats SDs like a Tasmanian Devil, but, leaves me with lots of editing options!
Sorry, I don't understand this part.
;-)Bill
--
Bill
(not "Brian" - he's my deceased dog which I loved dearly)
I'm not a pro. Images I post, except people pix, are unrestricted for non-profit only. Please do not redistribute any of the people pix I post. C&C always welcome and encouraged - I'm not touchy about the negative comments. https://www.flickr.com/photos/118214307@N08/
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Briansdad1
Senior Member
Your interpretation highlights the beauty and fun of photography. What you see is true and the treatment of the photo you suggest is effective. However, I see the image differently. You say "the outside over-exposed areas distract a bit from the whole purpose of the shot" and from your interpretation, you are entirely correct. But, I don't see the bird as the "whole purpose of the shot." For me the heat of the desert (seen in the overexposure), the twists and gnarls of the cactus, and the many needle sharp thorns are are of prime importance. And then the bird and it's nest, a happy discovery in the center of this intensity. I also like the pastel, high-key tonality contrasted with the spartan browns of the bird.
I am neither repudiating your interpretation nor defending mine. Just pointing out how great it is that the same image can be seen so differently and each is beautiful. I love photography.
Bill
Bill
(not "Brian" - he's my deceased dog which I loved dearly)
I'm not a pro. Images I post, except people pix, are unrestricted for non-profit only. Please do not redistribute any of the people pix I post. C&C always welcome and encouraged - I'm not touchy about the negative comments. https://www.flickr.com/photos/118214307@N08/
I am neither repudiating your interpretation nor defending mine. Just pointing out how great it is that the same image can be seen so differently and each is beautiful. I love photography.
Bill
--Bill,
I played around with the shot and here are a few options.
First, I would crop it a bit. The outside over-exposed areas distract a bit from the whole purpose of the shot. In fact, the first time I looked at it I didn't even see the bird.
The second thing I did was brighten up the bird to make it even more noticable. This was done with a dodge mask.
Now the background. It isn't necessarily a problem as is. However, I wouldn't put anything in there, because it's just going to look artificial. So what I did, was lower the exposure a bit with a mask on the left photo. On the right version, I got a little more creative and cloned out certain elements, so that the edges of the head of the bird are against the background. Then I blurred it a bit to just make it look more natural.
I did all these things in Photogene, except the cloning which I did on Touch/Retouch - all on my ipad. You can do the same with Lightroom, Photoshop Elements and numerous other programs.
Of course, you need to like it before anyone else, but I hope this gives you some ideas.
Take care,
Daniel
Bill
(not "Brian" - he's my deceased dog which I loved dearly)
I'm not a pro. Images I post, except people pix, are unrestricted for non-profit only. Please do not redistribute any of the people pix I post. C&C always welcome and encouraged - I'm not touchy about the negative comments. https://www.flickr.com/photos/118214307@N08/
B
Billy Ray Valentine
Guest
80GB of 20MP pics is still 6000+ pictures, good grief man, that is a lot of bracketing...Brackets and RAWs - Eats SDs like a Tasmanian Devil, but, leaves me with lots of editing options!
Sorry, I don't understand this part.
Bill
--
Bill
(not "Brian" - he's my deceased dog which I loved dearly)
I'm not a pro. Images I post, except people pix, are unrestricted for non-profit only. Please do not redistribute any of the people pix I post. C&C always welcome and encouraged - I'm not touchy about the negative comments. https://www.flickr.com/photos/118214307@N08/
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Briansdad1
Senior Member
Yes, it was a lot, too much for sure. I was going to get into all of the below when I got around to posting about the trip in a more thorough way later. But, while we're at it . . . It was cloudy and hazy most of the time so I anticipated using my HDR software to try and grasp some light and color that wasn't there (the above picture was, however, on a hot, sunny afternoon). I used way too much SD space though. First I bracketed -2, -1, 0, +1, +2.* After using the HDR software, I realize -2, 0, +2 (or 1.5s) would have been sufficient. Then, talk about overkill, these brackets were also saved as RAW! Call me amateur - oh, I am! Oh, yes, while confessing, I bracketed a lot when I didn't need to at all. But, I am glad I didn't undershoot. A light application of HDR can give some satisfying results, at least satisfying to me.80GB of 20MP pics is still 6000+ pictures, good grief man, that is a lot of bracketing...Brackets and RAWs - Eats SDs like a Tasmanian Devil, but, leaves me with lots of editing options!
Sorry, I don't understand this part.
Bill
--
Bill
(not "Brian" - he's my deceased dog which I loved dearly)
I'm not a pro. Images I post, except people pix, are unrestricted for non-profit only. Please do not redistribute any of the people pix I post. C&C always welcome and encouraged - I'm not touchy about the negative comments. https://www.flickr.com/photos/118214307@N08/
These images were lost to haze and fog without bracketing and HDR. They're not calendar art but they are good keepsakes to me. Buy the time get around to settling on the keeps, there won't be too many taken in the worst light conditions but I'll be glad to have any. (Please "View Original." They need all the advantage they can get. The first one is actually a stitch of several images each of which was, of course, bracketed. The finished image is 4838x3608. What can I tell you, I am a man of excess.
[* 5 brackets (6mb each) and 5 RAW (20mb each) add up to 130mb per shot! I know, it's crazy.]
--
Bill
(not "Brian" - he's my deceased dog which I loved dearly)
I'm not a pro. Images I post, except people pix, are unrestricted for non-profit only. Please do not redistribute any of the people pix I post. C&C always welcome and encouraged - I'm not touchy about the negative comments. https://www.flickr.com/photos/118214307@N08/
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danielsonkin
Forum Pro
Hi Bill. I appreciate your points about the original crop. It makes sense about the feel of the desert and the overexposed portion of the image. It's a great shot, even as is. Thanks for sharing.Your interpretation highlights the beauty and fun of photography. What you see is true and the treatment of the photo you suggest is effective. However, I see the image differently. You say "the outside over-exposed areas distract a bit from the whole purpose of the shot" and from your interpretation, you are entirely correct. But, I don't see the bird as the "whole purpose of the shot." For me the heat of the desert (seen in the overexposure), the twists and gnarls of the cactus, and the many needle sharp thorns are are of prime importance. And then the bird and it's nest, a happy discovery in the center of this intensity. I also like the pastel, high-key tonality contrasted with the spartan browns of the bird.
I am neither repudiating your interpretation nor defending mine. Just pointing out how great it is that the same image can be seen so differently and each is beautiful. I love photography.
Bill
--Bill,
I played around with the shot and here are a few options.
First, I would crop it a bit. The outside over-exposed areas distract a bit from the whole purpose of the shot. In fact, the first time I looked at it I didn't even see the bird.
The second thing I did was brighten up the bird to make it even more noticable. This was done with a dodge mask.
Now the background. It isn't necessarily a problem as is. However, I wouldn't put anything in there, because it's just going to look artificial. So what I did, was lower the exposure a bit with a mask on the left photo. On the right version, I got a little more creative and cloned out certain elements, so that the edges of the head of the bird are against the background. Then I blurred it a bit to just make it look more natural.
I did all these things in Photogene, except the cloning which I did on Touch/Retouch - all on my ipad. You can do the same with Lightroom, Photoshop Elements and numerous other programs.
Of course, you need to like it before anyone else, but I hope this gives you some ideas.
Take care,
Daniel
Bill
(not "Brian" - he's my deceased dog which I loved dearly)
I'm not a pro. Images I post, except people pix, are unrestricted for non-profit only. Please do not redistribute any of the people pix I post. C&C always welcome and encouraged - I'm not touchy about the negative comments. https://www.flickr.com/photos/118214307@N08/
Daniel
windmillgolfer
Forum Pro
Bill, I take a similar approach, especially with the FZ200/TZ60, but 99%JPEG only. Cards are inexpensive, trips are expensive. Also, my wife's patience is good - lots of practise LOL - but not infinite. So, sometimes cannot take all the time I'd like to compose/check shot but a two or three sets of AEB shots can be taken very swiftly
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