Is there anything I can do to improve this

[birdbonkers84]

I took this a few months back with my kit lens that came with my Nikon D3300. I'm happy with the framing/composition of my g.f/dog and Bennachie in the background. This is definitely one that I want to get round to framing and sticking on my wall.

Is there anything I could do to improve it? I personally think its a bit dark especially around my g.f/dog. I took the shot in RAW so have only really edited in that.

Kind Regards,
Mark

 

[goooner]

Mmmmh, nice shot, if you have Lightroom you could try brightening up the shadows, and decreasing the highlights (the sky). A fill in flash would have done wonders, even the little pop up flash could have helped imo.

 

[JonA_CT]

The software question is a good one. In addition to what goooner said, I would probably increase the exposure of the whole image, and then use the adjustment brush to burn down the background.

 

[waday]

Is it just me? None of your photos show up for me?

 

[birdbonkers84]

Mmmmh, nice shot, if you have Lightroom you could try brightening up the shadows, and decreasing the highlights (the sky). A fill in flash would have done wonders, even the little pop up flash could have helped imo.

Thanks, I sub to creative cloud so I do have access to Lightroom, but I'm a complete noob with it and currently "teaching" myself how to use it, but I'll explore what you suggested. I'll remember the flash for next time too.

The software question is a good one. In addition to what goooner said, I would probably increase the exposure of the whole image, and then use the adjustment brush to burn down the background.

Thanks, I'll give that a try

Is it just me? None of your photos show up for me?

Tracy with Bennachie in the background
try this as it is a direct link to the image on flickr, I've been using tinypics for displaying my images thus far. If there is a better way, I'm all ears

 

[waday]

Aaaaah, I'm wondering if my company restricts tinypics.. I typically share via Flickr, but do what works for you!

Nice picture. I agree with the other comments. It does seem a touch underexposed? But, it could be my crappy monitor.

 

[birdbonkers84]

Aaaaah, I'm wondering if my company restricts tinypics.. I typically share via Flickr, but do what works for you!

Nice picture. I agree with the other comments. It does seem a touch underexposed? But, it could be my crappy monitor.

Thanks, I've got the RAW file still so I can go back and re-visit the processing. This was some of the very early photographs I took, before I discovered shooting in manual as a beginner, was the worst idea ever!

 

[Designer]

Is there anything I could do to improve it?

Crop the right to eliminate the tree branches, and bring the shadows up. Check the white balance, and add a bit of sharpening.

If you would change your settings to allow editing, someone can show you what we would do with it.

 

[birdbonkers84]

Is there anything I could do to improve it?

Crop the right to eliminate the tree branches, and bring the shadows up. Check the white balance, and add a bit of sharpening.

If you would change your settings to allow editing, someone can show you what we would do with it.

I was unsure what that actually ment when I signed up, but I've changed it now

 

[Derrel]

I would dodge (lighten) the woman's coat a bit, and the pug's face a bit. I think the sky tones might be just a litle too bright. This is tricky weather to render...it's not quite stormy, and it's not quite sunny, and it's not quite cloudy-bright...it's sort of well...I dunno how to put it.

 

[goooner]

Here is my edit, took me less than 30 seconds, I've added the LR settings so you can see what I did. Would have been better with the RAW file of course.

 

[birdbonkers84]

Here is my edit, took me less than 30 second, I've added the LR settings so you can see what I did. Would have been better with the RAW file of course.
View attachment 133929

View attachment 133930

Oh wow what a difference, I can give you the RAW file if that helps?

 

[goooner]

Best way to learn is to play with it yourself, until you are happy with it.

 

[birdbonkers84]

I would dodge (lighten) the woman's coat a bit, and the pug's face a bit. I think the sky tones might be just a litle too bright. This is tricky weather to render...it's not quite stormy, and it's not quite sunny, and it's not quite cloudy-bright...it's sort of well...I dunno how to put it.

Yeah I see what you mean, thanks for the suggestions

 

[birdbonkers84]

Best way to learn is to play with it yourself, until you are happy with it.

It's amazing how used to something you get and you don't realise finer details until someone else points it out to you!