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01/01/2005 02:01:34 PM · #1 |
I'm very unsure of how to use photoshop to clean up a pretty good photo into something that might one day be good enough that I could enter it in a challenge (that's my first target this year, hopefully by the end I can start thinking seriously about one of those ribbon things)
I ended up with this:
//photo.jibbering.com/2004/12/duck.jpg.thumb.jpg
from the original out of camera shot //photo.jibbering.com/2004/12/originals/duck.jpg Is that the right sort of basic editing I should be looking at, or do I need to spend even more time learning PS? At the moment photoshop seems to be the much harder part of taking the photos.
Any advice to a new member?
Cheers,
Jim.
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01/01/2005 02:22:21 PM · #2 |
Welcome to the madness Jim :-)
What editing did you do on the shot? Couldn't have a look at the original cos it wanted a password.
I really like the colours of the water in your image, haven't seen the original but if you can I'd crop it so you can see all the reflection of the duck's head in the water. Colours on the duck are a wee bit dark on my monitor and the focus on him is a little soft.
I jumped in with both feet and entered challenges, got lousy scores, but very very helpful comments that helped me learn. I also posted pics in the forums and asked for advice on cropping etc. When I got lost on ps (which was/is often) would ask for help.....and I got it!! Still haven't got a ribbon, but been placed in the top 20 twice. More importantly though, I like the direction I'm heading, the learning is fun and you make some wonderful friends along the way.
sue |
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01/01/2005 02:30:31 PM · #3 |
Oops, sorry about the original, sorted it out now, you should be able to see it.
Yeah, unfortunately the rest of the head's not there to crop, it was a quick walk along the Thames with the light going, the sunset below was taken about 5 minutes later. I think the reason I liked this shot because of the water colour and the browness of the duck.
I'll probably end up jumping in, I've just taken a shot that I'm thinking about putting into the Where's Waldo challenge, but I'm not too sure it's really worth the trouble.
Jim.
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01/01/2005 02:54:33 PM · #4 |
First time I've 'done up' someone elses shot - but I'm kinda experienced at shooting ducks (erm, photographically that is) so here goes ...
Only seems to need some very basic editing to get a decent image ...
Auto Levels - always my first change, often works wonders.
Highlight/Shadows filter at the default 50% shadow setting (first time I've ever used this filter above 10% - it responded to it surprisingly well)
Unsharp Mask @ 120/0.7/0
Finished off with a bit of cropping, resize to 640 and a nice sauce ; )
Could maybe do with more sharpening?
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01/01/2005 03:26:43 PM · #5 |
Jim
I like bod's crop, but not the way he lightened the image. It's less dramatic, and that yellow eye loses it's 'pull' when set in a lighter head.
You've a strong image, with interesting detail in the water - sufficient to maintain the viewer's interest without competing with the subject.
Just reconsider the placement of the duck in the frame.
Message edited by author 2005-01-01 20:28:28. |
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01/02/2005 04:22:56 AM · #6 |
Thanks swagman/bod.
I agree with swagman about the colours in your version, I think the colour of the water in the original is much stronger, and the yellow eye needs to stand out I think.
Your crop is much better, I obviously need to think of some good ways to experiment with cropping.
Cheers!
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01/02/2005 04:47:39 AM · #7 |
Here's my go at it...
Edits were as follows:
- Curves to lighten overall and tweak color balance (less red)
- Shadow/highlight
- A little dodging & burning
- Curves to selectively darken water and brighten bird
- Curves to raise contrast in water only
- Hue/sat on water only (slight sat increase, slight hue change)
- Focus Magic to recover some sharpness
- USM to finish sharpening (0.4 radius, 70%, threshold 3)
- Neat Image, water only.
- Done
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01/02/2005 07:10:02 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by JibberJim:
I agree with swagman about the colours in your version, I think the colour of the water in the original is much stronger, and the yellow eye needs to stand out I think.
Your crop is much better, I obviously need to think of some good ways to experiment with cropping. |
Hey, I'm a sucker for blue. That, plus my monitor is doing funky things with reds at the moment :-/ Can't wait for the new one to arrive.
If you're looking to keep the colour then using curves like kirbic is definitely the way to go.
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