Nothing Runs Like a Deere

[rlarose]

Just no sure on this one. I was shooting around the yard yesterday, getting in shots (while trying to avoid snow). This is one I took of my tractor and didn't like the colors, but loved the setup. I went into LightRoom and played quite a but with tinting, coloring, plug-ins, etc. until I came up with this:

<a href="http://www.zooomr.com/photos/zendifferent/4588031/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.zooomr.com/images/4588031_30beb60351.jpg" width="500" height="338" alt="Deere 425" /></a>

But I am not sure if this colors still... here is the unprocessed photo (http://www.zooomr.com/photos/zendifferent/4599850/). What would you do different here with post-processing this image?

EXIF
hyperfocaldistance = 111.83 m
sharpness = 25
tonecurvename = Linear
meteringmode = Spot
lightvalue = 12.3
exposureprogram = Aperture-priority AE
circleofconfusion = 0.020 mm
aperturevalue = 5.6
scenetype = Directly photographed
contrast = +32
flashfired = False
focallength = 112.0 mm
isospeed = 100
shutterspeed = 1/160
exposuretime = 1/160
model = NIKON D80
whitebalance = As Shot

[thatedeguy]

I think part of the issue with the original is the crop. There's way too much in the right hand side of the image (i.e. steering wheel, controls, etc) and there's little to nothing in the left (just grass) It makes the image somewhat off balance.

I'd try and crop in a little closer to eliminate some of the controls and such and also to cut down on the empty grass on the left. I'd also maybe do a nice mask and see if I couldn't give the actual body of the mower a bit of a "john deere green" tint.

[RexK_Cozumel]

I agree with cropping some of the right portion of the photo but I would not crop out the negative space. If it was me I would take a bit off the right and a bit off the bottom. Also I am not sure if the blue tint really works for me here. The colors in the original picture seem fine just needs some work on boosting saturation.

[rlarose]

Thanks for the tips... here is a "moderate" crop with a +46 to the greens and a +15 to the aquas in saturation. Also toned down the yellows a tad. Click here to see the adjustments. (http://www.zooomr.com/photos/zendifferent/4599951/)

Also, here is a version (http://www.zooomr.com/photos/zendifferent/4599957/) I tried with lo-saturation. Tighter crop too.

[xxpinballxx]

my only thing here is color.....when a person heres john deere they immediately get the green with yellow trim image...i think it might need to keep that visual aspect.....i really like the angle.

[rlarose]

OK, I'll play more with these colors to get it screaming Deere... :)

[thatedeguy]

If you can, try masking off the background and going lo-sat with it. It might be enough to make it pop out more. As it is, the background color and the color of the mower are pretty similar. If you can visualize the color of the tractor in the high-sat image against the background of the lo-sat image, that's what gave me the idea.

[netbymatt]

my only thing here is color.....when a person heres john deere they immediately get the green with yellow trim image...i think it might need to keep that visual aspect.....i really like the angle.

I'd agree, John Deere has that signature green. You might want to try keeping just the green in color in the photo and make the rest b&W. That will really make the tractor stand out.

[rlarose]

Hmmm, here is a quick 2 second attempt at that:

<a href="http://www.zooomr.com/photos/zendifferent/4605489/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.zooomr.com/images/4605489_adc9c979ef.jpg" width="500" height="327" alt="deere_experiment" /></a>

[netbymatt]

That looks great! It really makes the tractor pop out at you. It also helps show off just how reflective the green finish is.

[wpgreer]

Can we see the original shot, unprocessed? I'd like to see the difference between the tractor and the background greenery.

If there's a big difference in hue, it would be good to saturate the John Deere Green and the yellow stripe...

[rlarose]

Here's the original:

<a href="http://www.zooomr.com/photos/zendifferent/4599850/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.zooomr.com/images/4599850_4cc457e971.jpg" width="500" height="335" alt="Deere Mod0" /></a>

[dlaf]

What did the trailer say to the tractor?

Pull me a little closer, John Deere!

:D :D :D

[thatedeguy]

Hmmm, here is a quick 2 second attempt at that:

http://static.zooomr.com/images/4605489_adc9c979ef.jpg (http://www.zooomr.com/photos/zendifferent/4605489/)

That's great! The lesser saturation on the background really makes the tractor stand out. Also, the closer crop helps out as well. Takes my eyes off of the controls and back into the center "John Deere"

[SarahN]

I like the versions with the green, since green is the Deere color..;)

[rlarose]

Thanks guys! All your input really helped.

[Pshorten]

I like your tonal range and the tone that you used but am not wild about the composition.

[rlarose]

Yeah, I am not wild about it either... I just couldn't figure out how I wanted to change that one.

[DEBBIE BROCK]

WOW! that's fantastic.