What’s Your Preference?

garnetgirl · #1 (**permalink**) 10-22-2009, 06:40 PM

I took this picture along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia last weekend. I have a special fondness for interesting trees and also fences, and this scene just caught my eye. I also have a desire for strong, bold colors & while I feel that my D40 does pretty well, I often feel the need to amp up the colors on my photos. So, here's my first attempt at this one. PLEASE tell me your HONEST opinions. I'll never learn if people aren't honest with me.

original

after

How I did it:
I actually followed a tutorial from pixeleyes.com called Pseudo HDR. Am I allowed to link to it? (I omitted a couple steps)
Here was the process:
Duplicate image & convert to smart object
Image -> Adjustments -> Shadow/Highlights and set shadow between 15-25 and Highlights 50-60. ~adjust the other controls to your liking. (Of course, I increased the color correction.)
Create a curve adjustment layer and adjust accordingly (i did not like the tutorials results for this, so I selected the preset -Medium Contrast

Oh, I used Photoshop CS3 Portable

thaoimage · #2 (**permalink**) 10-22-2009, 06:56 PM

Looks really nice... I like the way the color pops out on the second image.

VegasMike · #3 (**permalink**) 10-22-2009, 07:28 PM

I think it looks great, not over-processed as is the tendency for some HDR images.

Mike

thomasfolkeandersen · #4 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 08:45 AM

The first image does look a little flat. Do you shoot RAW or JPGs? Anyway, I think the colours in the second image are much better and they definitely 'pop' a lot more which helps keep my attention, but in my own personal taste they are perhaps pushed just a little too far. Personally I would maybe pull back the colours about 25% on the second image.

As for trees and fences I totally share your affinity for these subjects. Lovely scene!

thomasfolkeandersen · #5 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 08:48 AM

P.S. In terms of composition I like how you have placed the tree between two fence posts. I do think (ideally) you could have allowed a little more foreground before the fence and a touch less sky, but I'm sure had your reasons for allowing less grass in the foreground (i.e. there might not have been a lot of grass there).

FoG · #6 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 09:38 AM

Nice like this not overdone like some insist with HDR I prefer my photo's to look like photo's

andrecb · #7 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 11:06 AM

Very good, I really have to try this,

congrats

windrider86 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 07:40 PM

I love the photo!!!
The one thing I am not fond of in the 2nd image is the super blue sky and the amost purple clouds. If just the sky could be toned down a bit................

garnetgirl · #9 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 07:59 PM

Thank you for the compliments!

thomasfolkeandersen -I don't know the first thing about shooting in RAW, so I've never even tried it. So for now, I shoot JPG only. I'm a total amateur and have just begun shooting in the Program mode vs. auto...lol. ....(hence the D40. I heard it was the easiest DSLR to learn).
As far a composition goes... I don't remember if there was a specific reason why I didn't include more grass.(I took 300 photos that day, and this one was close to the beginning) I'm still experimenting with techniques & style. This was a family outing, so my kids may have been rushing me as well.

After rethinking this shot, I do think it would benefit from toning back a bit. Thank you for the constructive criticism!

I have many more shots from this day that I will be adding to Flikr as soon as I'm finished with them.