Two B&Ws from My Xmas Trip

[allie5]

I posted awhile back about not being very happy with a lot of my pics from my last trip. Ive left it a few months before processing too many. I decided to do something a bit different - I opened photoshop and then simply opened a random picture file and my challenge was to "do something with it" even if the shot wasnt particularly good.

The first that came out was a pic of one of the gorillas at AK. Most of the pic was a mess (dirty glass, distracting foliage and as a whole it was only 1 step from the cyber trashcan!). I did notice that the face though, was sharp and set to work - first a tight crop, a little cloning to get rid of the glass dirt and reflection. When I sharpened it, I was liking it a lot more. I then did a B&W conversion and overall, I was pretty happy with it. On a second look, I think some of the grass could do with cloning out maybe?

Second one that came out was a castle pic. It was taken when the castle was deep blue and just after a fireworks burst. The original was a bit flat, crooked and uninspiring. First job I did was to straighten it up. I tried a B&W conversion but it didnt work. I did some more fiddling and a desaturation worked better. A little burning on some bright highlights, slight contrast boost and a sharpen. What do you think, does it work or not?

Im going to try and do a few more later - its been quite an enlightening excercise LOL!

 

[RBennett]

Both of those look REALLY good! I agree with maybe doing a little more cloning on the gorilla picture. Right in front of his lips, I can't tell if it's grass or what, but to me it looks like a bad clone stamp gone awry. Otherwise, I LOVE the idea of your exercise; open a random picture and see what you can do with it.

 

[allie5]

Both of those look REALLY good! I agree with maybe doing a little more cloning on the gorilla picture. Right in front of his lips, I can't tell if it's grass or what, but to me it looks like a bad clone stamp gone awry. Otherwise, I LOVE the idea of your exercise; open a random picture and see what you can do with it.

Thanks - the grass is actually untouched by the clone stamp but I think the white bit by his lip needs to go even though it is a natural bit of grass! I'll do a little clone on it and post the retouch!

Yes, definately give it a go - Ive really enjoyed it plucking a random file and forcing myself to improve it (didnt like most of the pics I took on my last trip!).

 

[pointandshoot]

I think you have a great approach. I used to develop film and darkroom print in my home. I learned more about my photo technique after spending a day burning, dodging, and reprinting a single photo. After spending time with the image, I could see what I could do better the next time at image capture.

Today, I think post processing offers that same type of learning experience. Even if you do not go on to be a photoshop wizard, a few hours and some basic edits in Elements or another tool can help you improve as a photographer in my opinion.

I like your edits. They look natural. If you get a chance, could you post the orginals. It is cool to see the before and after.

Nice work!

Chuck

 

[pednurse]

I'm no pro (far from it!) but I just have to say...I absolutely LOVE the castle pic!! Awesome!! It's very striking.

 

[spinetnglr]

I really like what you did with the photos too. I agree on the gorilla pic and that bit of grass by his lip. If you can eliminate that I think it would be an awesome photo. I too would like to see the originals to see what is was you started with. I just might have to do that with some of my pictures before they hit the virtual trashcan. Thanks for the idea!!

 

[My2Girls66]

Love them both! Great job
I would also love to see the originals.

 

[allie5]

thanks for the comments everyone - here are the two originals (the only edit is a RAW to Jpeg conversion)...

 

[RBennett]

Wow I can really tell you did quite a bit, especially with the gorilla! Honestly though, I really like the original of the castle as well though. It looks kind of like the black light ghouls do at MNSSHP. Great job!

 

[allie5]

Wow I can really tell you did quite a bit, especially with the gorilla! Honestly though, I really like the original of the castle as well though. It looks kind of like the black light ghouls do at MNSSHP. Great job!

Thanks very much - your comments are really appreciated. I dont have much confidence in my photography and I was unsure whether to post these at all to be honest!

 

[RBennett]

Thanks very much - your comments are really appreciated. I dont have much confidence in my photography and I was unsure whether to post these at all to be honest!

Well honestly, I say that's the BEST reason to post them on here! Everything I've learned about photography came either directly or indirectly from this website. I feel like we've got the best group of free-lance instructors around and everyone is always willing to offer opinions and help!! Way to go PHOTO BOARD!!!!