looking for inspiration...

[Bianka]

I took this photo for last weeks challenge, but I wasn't on time (internet issues).

I've been playing around with b&w, I like the classic look. I wanted to capture more contrast, but was it over exposed?

Any other comments or tips are welcome.



f6.3
exposure 1/30
ISO 200
Manual

[LeeR]

Yes, it's over exposed. 'High Contrast' means 'mostly darks and lights' which is not the same as 'no grays.' (I used to process litho film for a print shop and there are absolutely no grays in that stuff!) Your idea is good, however; using the black and white of the cat to mimic the light and shadows of the stairs. You just need to allow for a bit more in the midtones. Is that detail in the original shot? Can it still be salvaged, or was this shot taken so overexposed that none of that detail is available?

[Bianka]

Thank you for your comment.

That shot is the orginal, I haven't done any edits on it.
I've just started photography the last few months so I am really trying to learn how to take better photos without the help of editing programs.

What settings would you suggest to capture more of the midtones?

[Laurenbiz]

It IS overexposed, but I actually really, really like it! :-)

[LeeR]

I would encourage you to consider some of the FREE photo editing alternatives. I'm listing a few below. You just may find there is more information in those overexposed pixels than you thought.

10 Free Photoshop Alternatives
10 Free Web Based Alternatives to Photoshop

[Bianka]

Originally Posted by Laurenbiz

It IS overexposed, but I actually really, really like it! :-)

thank you

Originally Posted by LeeR

I would encourage you to consider some of the FREE photo editing alternatives. I'm listing a few below. You just may find there is more information in those overexposed pixels than you thought.

10 Free Photoshop Alternatives
10 Free Web Based Alternatives to Photoshop

Thanks for the links, I'll look into them and try my hand at perhaps editing this shot slightly and see how it turns out.

[BrittneyLove]

I agree with LaurenBiz, I really love it, and I think it would have worked well for the assignment. I see small amounts of gray in the picture, along the stairs, but with a high contrast photo you WANT more black and whites. I agree that it's overexposed, but it works for what you were trying to accomplish to begin with. The fact that you went and tried to do it manually before throwing it in a program like photoshop and bringing up the contrast in there shows the effort you put behind it. I myself just took a photo and brought up the contrast for the assignment, so good for you! and it really is a great picture, regardless of the overexposure.

[Bianka]

Originally Posted by BrittneyLove

I agree with LaurenBiz, I really love it, and I think it would have worked well for the assignment. I see small amounts of gray in the picture, along the stairs, but with a high contrast photo you WANT more black and whites. I agree that it's overexposed, but it works for what you were trying to accomplish to begin with. The fact that you went and tried to do it manually before throwing it in a program like photoshop and bringing up the contrast in there shows the effort you put behind it. I myself just took a photo and brought up the contrast for the assignment, so good for you! and it really is a great picture, regardless of the overexposure.

Thank you!
I actually read an article here on DPS about trying to take "better" photos before taking it to photoshop.

The irony was that I was already thinking ahead of getting a program to process my photos. It was when I read that article that I changed my mind, I figure it made sense.

That and my cat just loves to pose for shots ;-)
Thanks again for the input, its well appreciated.