Softball Shots

[WooD]

I took over 500 shots during this game. The longest lens I have now is a 80-200 f/2.8

The background was a mess from any angle I shot. There were people, cars, or an ambulance in every shot. I worked one over a bit to add some blur to try, and make it less busy. The only way I know how to do this is make a quick mask, and paint everywhere I want blurred. It's not a easy or fast process. I know I have at least 300 keepers, and I cant imagine how long it will take to copy what little change I've made.

Is it worth the hassle, and is there an easier way to acheve this in PS CS2?


Before




After

[Nicole]

Hey, was this the game you were looking for suggestions for the best way to take your shots? It looks good, so where did you finally end up taking them from?

I think that it looks better with the blur (sorry ). I hope that you find a way to make it quicker if that's what you want to do

[WooD]

Thanks....

I found a different park that only has a 6' fence around the infield. I still had to shoot from a pretty far distance, but overall I think they came out pretty good.

I did get some really good shots of the pitcher taken thru the fence. Ya cant even tell.

I thought they look better with the blur too, but there is no way I have time to edit everyone. It took long enough to straighten, and resize them.

[Nicole]

Glad to hear that it all worked out (both with the shorter fence and shooting through the fence) I really wish I had some advice to give you on a quicker process, but I can't think of one. All things considered though, the pictures are still pretty darn good even without the blur, so maybe if you pick the select few that you think are the best and just work on those... a hard task with 300 keepers though

[jiminyClickit]

WooD,

If you haven't used a graphic tablet and pen, this would be the time to appreciate the speed they can contribute to a situation like 300 similar operations. If you would blur a level, then do a quick Select/Delete of subject area on that level, you're 90% finished. Brush blur into details around subject and you've got it.

Another less-effective way to de-emphasize B/G is to darken one or more corners, side, perimeter. Quicker.

One example: Lily, taken with a phone camera!