Between Races

[rachel_r]

I took this at the race track this summer. I am trying to improve my ability to spot great lines and texture and I thought I really had a winner here. I was so excited and shot this. I didn't get much of a response on Flickr so I was wondering if there is some element that I missed out on - or maybe it is the lack of color. I didn't really promote the image much so it's possible that people just didn't see it. What would you do differently here?

[Krimo]

Feels like we are jumping above these benches. Love the picture itself, maybe some post-processing to invigorate the colors ?

[rachel_r]

oh and just to clarify - it is a color image - just not any real color in the scene...

Krimo - do you mean I should try colorizing it?

[Krimo]

Hum, not exactly (and sorry for my english!), just playing with curves a little bit and see what you can come up with. Sometimes it gives great results.

[Floris]

wauww.. did you use a wide lense or something?
I mean.. looks so weird. in a positive way tho.

Maybe the pic would look better in grayscale..
I dont think colorizing would work, cuase there aint a lot colors in the pic.

just like krimo said, you can try to play with curves 'n levels.. but thats all i think.

[Fraggleroxer]

Originally Posted by Krimo

Feels like we are jumping above these benches. Love the picture itself, maybe some post-processing to invigorate the colors ?

No no no! dont do anything to this color wise. its perfect the way it is. the undersaturated "colors" in the picture really give it its feel. it wouldnt be the same with the saturation boosted or with it in grayscale.

the only neg i have about this is the uneveness of your lines. its left weighted a little.

good shot

zach

[Merlyn]

A little contrast I think would help. As for the picture being a little weighted, you can use the Photoshop measure tool, if you use Photoshop, to correct this real easy and quick. I checked it and it was just .4 degrees off. To do this, click on the eyedropper in the tools pallette selsct the measure tool. I used the line of the first step in your photo. Click and drag you a line across the photo that ran along the line of the step. You can tell if the line you are drawing is straight or not. Go to image at the top of the photo work page and click image/rotate canvas and select arbitrary. Photoshop shows you the number of degrees the photo is off. It does it for you. Click rotate in the direction needed.

[Fraggleroxer]

im goin to disagree with everyone...i think the way it is now, color wise, is great. the tone is good, and it really sets a good mood. the is just my personal opionion. if u want, boost the contrast a little and well see what happens.

[rachel_r]

Merlyn

I'm trying to follow the steps but I have one question. If I draw the measure line across the first step I get one reading... if I go a few rows down and draw one I get a different reading. Maybe I am doing it wrong...

You said you used the top step - is that the optimal location?

Also, when I draw the measure line across the top step i can get the beginning and end point to line up to the step but the center of the line is a little above the step...

[rachel_r]

OK... this just looks weird to me...

I bumped the contrast - which I kinda like actually...

I also tried the measure/arbitrary rotate thing but now it looks crooked to me! I think the pattern is really messing with my brain. Doesn't it look crooked?

Now when I measure the top step - and go to arbitrary rotate it says '0' so I'm assuming it is straight - at least on the top step... Maybe this pic is just doomed.

I think I'm getting dizzy from this pic!