anothe pic i have been playing about with

handsomejackuk · Feb 23, 2013

here goes... all...!!!!!

maybe not to everyones taste but i like it..

412 Burgh · Feb 23, 2013

Hey! how many exposures did you use? I think it's a very subtle hdr which is what I like. One thing though, the lighting looks very flat almost too flat for an hdr.

handsomejackuk · Feb 23, 2013

woah... thanks... a positive reply... used three exposures. and did try to go for a more subtle effect... raw file... put through photomatix, then processed in cs6.. denoise sharpen, auto contrast..

412 Burgh · Feb 23, 2013

Too be honest the processing isn't 100% there. I can't find the right words at the moment. It's something about the processing and lighting that I can't figure out. However, the subject(s) aren't too interesting.

Majeed Badizadegan · Feb 23, 2013

Hello Jack,

The first issue with this image is where you're hosting it. Photobucket has notoriously poor re-sizing algorithms, which make your photographs appear worse than they actually are. Try using a free account @ flickR. The re-sizing algorithms are much better-- thus your photos will look much better.

Second, I think you need a stronger black point in this particular shot. Shooting in mid-day light like this creates harsh shadows. There's very little "modeling" on the trees and objects in the frame, because the light is direct and strong. See what increasing the contrast does to this shot, I'd be interested.

Benco · Feb 24, 2013

Rotanimod said:
Hello Jack,

The first issue with this image is where you're hosting it. Photobucket has notoriously poor re-sizing algorithms, which make your photographs appear worse than they actually are. Try using a free account @ flickR. The re-sizing algorithms are much better-- thus your photos will look much better.

Thanks for the tip. I've been having a few problems with photobucket recently, that could be the final nail.

handsomejackuk · Feb 24, 2013

thanks all i didnt realise that with photobucket either.. and thanks for the other kind comments...

dmunsie · Feb 25, 2013

I like the framing, subject, etc, but to my eyes it does look a little flat, etc. One thing you might want to try is creating a duplicate layer (on top) and put the original layer (on bottom) through a detail enhancer and then on the top layer create a layer mask and brush in the area just around the bike. I think the bike deserves a more enhanced look to bring out the chrome, color, etc.

Parker219 · Feb 25, 2013

I tired to take what everyone said, and put it into an edit....

Original-

talybont2wm by Parker219, on Flickr

Edit-

talybont2wm-edit by Parker219, on Flickr

dmunsie · Feb 25, 2013

I did a quick edit with the low res version on this page, would come out much better using a higher res source.
Just a quick process for comparison: Noise removal on everything except the bike, detail enhancer on just the bike, added a touch of vibrance globally.

Edit: Looking at the edit it on this page, it looks a bit washed (bright), I guess the .jpg compression took a hit..lol... oh well.

handsomejackuk · Feb 26, 2013

wow thanks for the edits and advice... i have a few bikes. and will be taking quite a few pics this year, so expect to see a few in various welsh valley surroundings...!!! loads of industrial / engineering surroundings too.. pits, farms, steel mills, factories and the like... i like the idea of the bike being the main subject, and really popping out.. especially if its clean and all polished up especially with reflections off it... just something a bit different to add to the forum....

I did particualry like this sort of shot.. it my first attempt a few months ago but with only one exposure on an old fuji j27 compact so please dont expect a masterpiece.. its just something i practised with before i had my newer camera...

dmunsie · Feb 26, 2013

Since I'm a fan of bikes, I really enjoy the slight "surreal" look to this. I think HDR can do alot for motorcycle shots. The trick is (I think) to keep the background somewhat natural but go ahead and exploit the bike as much as possible to bring out the detail, etc. In the above photo for instance, the background is a bit too enhanced which doesn't make the bike stand out as much. If you're not familiar with how to do layers and layer masks using Photoshop, I would suggest spending some time learning it. It's AMAZING what you can do once you learn it. Would be cool to blur (or motion blur) out everything but the bike to give it a cool dof look.

handsomejackuk · Mar 1, 2013

yeah hanks for the advice... that pic above was just a quick snap from years ago and my first play about with photomatix... really looking forward to getting some nice weather and getting out to get some pics of the bikes.... have started using photoshop, and getting into it and loving it...

cheers Al....