University of Oregon Building

[Max.Situs]

I took this shot as a free hand photo and did my best to fix it up in Photoshop

I'd like to know how I could improve this shot and future similar shots.

Updated with info


Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

Focal Length - 49.0mm
Lens - 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
Aperture - 11
Metering Mode - Evaluative
White Balance - Normal
ISO - 400
Exposure - 1/125

[windrider86]

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[RecurrentNerve]

While you're busy editing the post as per Windrider's directions, I'll throw in my two cents. First thing I would have done is turn the camera over so you don't cut off the the apex of the doorway. Secondly as the doorway has strong symmetry I'd have got as head-on to it as possible.

The black and white is good as you actually have blacks and whites in there, rather than flat greys. It just needs a little sharpening to bring out the details.

Best way to do that is duplicate your background layer (if you've got layers above it, like adjustment layers, hold ALT, click Layer > Merge Visible, this makes a new layer containing all the others in one), go to Filter > Other > High Pass, set a Radius of 1-3, click OK, then set that layer's Blending Mode to Overlay (top left of the Layers palette, where it says Normal).

[Michael_2010]

Giving the gabled entryway of the museum a flat top kind of ruins an otherwise nice capture. I might have gotten down low and pointed my lens upward to emphasize the strong vertical lines.

[Max.Situs]

Originally Posted by RecurrentNerve

While you're busy editing the post as per Windrider's directions, I'll throw in my two cents. First thing I would have done is turn the camera over so you don't cut off the the apex of the doorway. Secondly as the doorway has strong symmetry I'd have got as head-on to it as possible.

The black and white is good as you actually have blacks and whites in there, rather than flat greys. It just needs a little sharpening to bring out the details.

Best way to do that is duplicate your background layer (if you've got layers above it, like adjustment layers, hold ALT, click Layer > Merge Visible, this makes a new layer containing all the others in one), go to Filter > Other > High Pass, set a Radius of 1-3, click OK, then set that layer's Blending Mode to Overlay (top left of the Layers palette, where it says Normal).

I agree with the idea of symmetry and I would've loved to have done so when I was on campus. Unfortunately, I was on a guided tour when I snapped this; I couldn't pick and choose my shots.

I worry about running the risk of a high pass because of the destructive noise it brings out and that I am running a 400 ISO in this photo when my camera's maximum is only 1600.

I will try it though.

Thanks for such in depth feedback!

[RecurrentNerve]

You can always save as seperate file if you're worried about pixel destruction. You will notice a marked difference, honestly.