Quote:
Originally Posted by dcclark
Roy -- I like your edit, but here's why I didn't do something like that myself: I'd already pushed the levels as far as I could without losing detail in the hilights (except the very bottom) or the shadows. So in yours (for example), there is no detail inside the first door.
The "gritty" feel definitely reminds me of photos from that era, however.
What do you think -- keep the detail, or bump the contrast higher?
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You want both, and it is achievable.
I never use Level's. Much prefer to spend half an hour tweaking each of the colors until I have what I want, assuming the image is in color and if it isn't then the same amount of time on the contrast. Curves is a far more useful tool and you would be amazed at the amount of detail that it can bring out in an image.
Curves would work perfectly for you because you can fix the highlights with markers and then you can work the midtone and shadows. And most editors have a Curves adjustment or you can get plugins. Don't know what software you are using.
Looks like it was shot in the Middle East to me, just has that look.