no theme just random pics for C&C

[ImKosher]

#2 is a winner, great view, hope to see more!

 

[Photo Lady]

really nice shots.. the first two the colors are unnatural...but once you showed the originals they were great and especially the portraits..

 

[zabulondesigns]

there is something about #3 I like.

 

[jands]

For what it's worth, I think you should concentrate on getting the photos looking great Out Of Camera (OOC) before adding any post-processing. Except maybe tiny adjustments. It's hard, I know... it's something I trying to work on as well. Keep shooting!

 

[EPPhoto]

Like everyone has said, if you go a little easier on the contrast/saturation sliders, you'll make nicer (easier on the eyes) images lol. I like #5 a lot! Nice job!

Sent from Erics iPhone! (2) Nikon D300 50mm 1.4, 17-55 2.8, 70-200 2.8VRII, 24-70 2.8, 85mm 1.4, (2) SB900

 

[KenC]

I like the first one (apart from the color, but that's been discussed here already). I would crop a little on the left- the open space there draws the viewer's eye out of the frame.

 

[hayleyfraser24]

Thanks so much for all the comments, I completly agree with everything you all said, I need to steer clear of editing tools for a while!... or at least try not to go overboard, the fact that you guys like some of my pictures though has really made my day!

 

[Pgeobc]

"...im still finding my feet..."

They're not in your pictures.

 

[subscuck]

Thanks so much for all the comments, I completly agree with everything you all said, I need to steer clear of editing tools for a while!... or at least try not to go overboard, the fact that you guys like some of my pictures though has really made my day!

There's nothing wrong with editing. All digital pics need some tweaking in post just to bring out dynamic range, which digital lacks compared to print and transparency film, and some degree of sharpening. Most also need some adjustment for contrast. How major or minor these adjustments are is dependent on your gear. Cheaper bodies with kit quality glass will require bigger moves, while both cheaper and more expensive bodies with above average or better glass, will require more minor tweaks.

This is my list of necessary edits, things all pics need. Obviously, some of them aren't used on every pic. If you nailed exposure during capture, you won't need to make any adjustments. Some of these are done in ACR, others in CS4.

Exposure- Done in ACR

WB- ACR

Contrast adjust- I agree with Scott Kelby that the "clarity" slider in ACR is like a gift from the gods. Quite often this slider alone gives me the contrast adjustment I need. If necessary, I'll further tweak it in "curves" in CS 4.

Cropping- CS 4

Sharpening- CS 4 with either unsharp mask or smart sharpening for the most part. Sometimes Lab sharpening, but rare.

I think most people would agree these are the fundamental edits most pics will need, tho some may have others that they feel are also needed.

The problem is when you go beyond these to create "art". Especially if the quality of the pics isn't technically good to begin with. Then it just looks like a bad pic with bad things done to it. That's not a slam on you, btw, it's just something that happens time and again on here and other fora. The problem this creates is when you post it on a forum, it's impossible to tell if there is anything redeeming or salvageable in the original.

Go ahead and edit, just keep it at the level of enhancing dynamic range and sharpening. And be aware there will be times when it's best to post SOOC shots, but people will usually ask for those if it's beneficial to see those in order to help you.