More from the first excursion...

[Jzero]

Probably my favorite subject matter.... beat up and derelict old buildings. Here are a few samples (opinions desired).
J

 

[Jzero]

EOS 400D
J

http://ronunna.googlepages.com/home

 

[Tyson]

Kind of odd but nice to look at nonthe less.

 

[GoM]

In all of them, you can kind of tell that they're tough shooting conditions, but the blown-out sky's a bit of a drag....not much you can do about it now, and I don't know what kind of post-processing program you do have, but even a couple minutes messing with levels or whatnot can turn these from decent snapshots to decent photographs

 

[Jzero]

In all of them, you can kind of tell that they're tough shooting conditions, but the blown-out sky's a bit of a drag....not much you can do about it now, and I don't know what kind of post-processing program you do have, but even a couple minutes messing with levels or whatnot can turn these from decent snapshots to decent photographs

These were all shot in overcast conditions. I am using very basic processing software such as the beta version of Adobe Lightroom and Google's Picasa2.

Can you please elaborate on "messing with levels". I have kept all the pictures in their original "as-shot" form and being new to the world of tweaking, I'd like to get an idea of how to turn a decent snapshot into a decent photograph.

Thanks
J

 

[GoM]

Well, I don't know what Lightroom or Picasa are like, but I mean adjustign things like contrast, if the program has a 'levels' option, then something like that. Basically, play around with a photograph you've taken with any tools you're given, and see what you like. Maybe take a look at one or two shots you like in particular and see if you can get yours to approach the 'way' it looks, and go from there

 

[LaFoto]

The second is a bit on the bright side and I get the feeling there is more in the sky that can be "modelled" out in Photoshop, if only a bit - same MIGHT apply to the last, but I am not so sure there. May I give it a try?

Oh, shouldn't I mentioned how much I like your choice of subjects???

 

[Jzero]

The second is a bit on the bright side and I get the feeling there is more in the sky that can be "modelled" out in Photoshop, if only a bit - same MIGHT apply to the last, but I am not so sure there. May I give it a try?

Oh, shouldn't I mentioned how much I like your choice of subjects???

Hi LaFoto

I'm glad you like my subject matter, I find the old decrepid looking buildings to be photogenic and interesting.

Please do try to touch up my pictures a bit. I am really curious to see what can be done to them (and how it can be done). I am re-posting the same three pictures but in their original format (before I messed around with them). Thanks a lot.

J

 

[LaFoto]

Here we go (and I find your originals all better than your first edits, the sky is still there! Thanks for letting me start from there!):

Now to tell you what I did ... shows my inability to use Photoshop properly to all the other members who are such PS-whizzes, so I feel ashamed, , but I mostly lassoed parts such as the sky as opposed to the buidings with a feather of 80px or so to get very smooth, hopefully non-exitent "borders" between what was treated later in the "Levels" and what was not, and thus worked on things selectively. But I now fear that those very, very versed in the use of PS will now detect a halo round the house in the first pic ... :blulsh2: - I mean, even I can see it now (and I swear it was not there yesterday! :shock: )



Ah well, you might like my edits, all the same?

 

[Jzero]

Thanks Corrina! This is absolutely great!! I can' t distinguish a halo from a soup spoon so to me this looks fine. Also, bear in mind that the lighting conditions weren't all that good to begin with but I am catching on to the principal involved in touching up a picture and that is why this is so important to me, so... I really do appreciate it. Thank you very much!

J