Red Barn

[rikkersc]

I am looking for any feedback on this photo, good and bad. There has been no post processing done to it, this is directly from the camera.

Not sure what I should do to it. I do have Photoshop Elements, but since I am on vacation I don't have it with me.

To me the red barn just stood out amidst the see of green in the corn field.

[thingy]

Okay, well the first thing to jump out is the horizon needs straightening. After that maybe change the white balance (maybe to cloudy, similar or manual from the roof of the barn). Then depending what the colours look like after this, maybe boost the saturation a little just to help them pop. Its a shame you didnt capture the treetops. As you havn't, I would maybe consider cloning the trees right up to the top of the shot (a crop would disrupt the position of your barn on the top third which is spot on).....oh what the heck..and maybe flip it so the barn is on the right.

My mere mortal suggestions,

G

[thingy]

Okay, hope you don't mind but here is a quick edit from the small jpeg above to give you some idea what I was waffling about. Far from perfect but just as a bit of a guide.



G

[rikkersc]

Here is a second shot I took that has the treetops in it. I am planning to crop or clone out the bit of white building on the left.

Thingy, thanks for the advice. I planned to boost the saturation on the photos once I get home. Your photo gives me a great preview of what it will look like. Nice job!
The horizon was tough to get level since the ground was so uneven.
I'm really working on composition in my photos and I am still trying to remember everything, hopefully I'll be a quick learner.

[ELAY]

Hey Rikkersc --

I thought you chose a good subject for your photo.

To me your challenge is that the topography looks uncooperative. Not only do you have an undulating field here (I thought judging from the barn roofline that your horizon was pretty much on in #1), but your barn is on the other side of a rise. When I see these kinds of shots that really work, typically the whole structure is included, and it is often located on a hill sloping down and away from the structure. Judging from the shot, your barn is opposite -- located in a hollow maybe.

Ideally you would have gotten the whole barn in, but when are things ideal?

Adding the sky in for #2 is a good step. If you can reshoot (are you vacationing near this farm?), or in post-production (depending on Elements limits -- does it do layers), I think the shot could really use some drama or colour in the sky. If reshooting, I would try to get an exposure that either gets some nice blues (if it is sunny), or which gets more contrast in the clouds (if not). Your foreground might get a bit dark, but you should be able to fix that later in post. If you can't reshoot, then you maybe able to find some blue or contrast in the sky as is when doing your post.

As for the field/barn, first off be careful with the saturation. While I think your photos could stand some lightening (use white point in levels maybe?), gut I think too much saturation is going to make that field look like it is planted on top of nuclear waste.

EL

[rikkersc]

Thanks ELAY.

I hope to bump the sat. up a tad to give it a little more contrast and brightness, but I will be careful not to overdo it. I also hope some of the blues in the sky will come back in. I'll see what I can do.