Selective Colouring Okay?

[plangereis]

Hi there. I have done very little in terms of selective colouring in photos, and I tried it again because I felt this method supported/ helped focus the viewer on the apple. My question is this: Should I have desaturated the background 100%, or is the reduction in colour in the background really working in this shot? Let me know what you think as I like this method, but worry that i may end up doing it for the sake of just trying something different!

ISO 100/ 100mm/ f5.0/ 1/40 sec (hand-held)

[PowerPix]

Is that a "Willy Wonka" apple??? What is up with the color of it?!?!

I wouldn't call this selective coloring. Selective coloring (to me) is a monochrome photo with elements in color. This is just a partially desaturated photo with a fuscia colored apple. It is not working for me! Maybe post the original and we can help you out with the effect you are trying to achieve.

[plangereis]

Originally Posted by PowerPix

Is that a "Willy Wonka" apple??? What is up with the color of it?!?!

I wouldn't call this selective coloring. Selective coloring (to me) is a monochrome photo with elements in color. This is just a partially desaturated photo with a fuscia colored apple. It is not working for me! Maybe post the original and we can help you out with the effect you are trying to achieve.

Thanks for the feedback, Powerpix. I know the colour is somewhat disturbing, but, believe me, this was the colour of it on the tree! So it sounds like you think I should go for a totally monochrome background. I will try that and re-post tomorrow. Cheers. Actually, I may change the colour of the apple a bit as well as I agree that the original colour was a bit putrid!

[PowerPix]

Originally Posted by plangereis

Thanks for the feedback, Powerpix. I know the colour is somewhat disturbing, but, believe me, this was the colour of it on the tree! So it sounds like you think I should go for a totally monochrome background. I will try that and re-post tomorrow. Cheers. Actually, I may change the colour of the apple a bit as well as I agree that the original colour was a bit putrid!

Wow, really, what kind of apple is it? There is an apple orchard near me but I have never seen one this color. Yes, I think a totally monochrome background would work as well as tweaking the miracle apple's color!!!

[plangereis]

Hello again. I decided to alter the colour of the apple based on Poer Pix's comment, and also desaturate the background totally. Tell me what you think now.

[cameraman]

I prefer the first photo. The second photo doesn't look natural.

[plangereis]

Originally Posted by cameraman

I prefer the first photo. The second photo doesn't look natural.

Go figure! Just when I start following suggestions from a member that another member feels the opposite. Don't get me wrong, cameraman, I really appreciate all the input I get from members on this site. It just makes me realize that with each comment comes an individual's bias/ personal perspective! Cameraman, you made me think that maybe I was on the right track, and that i should really go with my gut instincts.

I would really appreciate any other input as well, as I tend to think that more criticism creates a trend in the long run, and I tend to believe in the masses opinion. So please leave a quick comment if you check these shots out.

[photog1107]

I tend to think it has to do with what you are trying to achieve. No one can understand the artist's vision, and by the same token, there are myriad opinions on what looks "best." My take on this is that if you were trying for an effect that makes the apple "pop" then the second version is much better. In the first one, it sort of just looks like a natural scene, with the color balance/saturation slightly "off" so the pop effect is masked by those other variables. Only you/the photographer knows what you had in mind

From a technical perspective, I think you did a good job. You used Photoshop, I assume?

[plangereis]

Originally Posted by photog1107

I tend to think it has to do with what you are trying to achieve. No one can understand the artist's vision, and by the same token, there are myriad opinions on what looks "best." My take on this is that if you were trying for an effect that makes the apple "pop" then the second version is much better. In the first one, it sort of just looks like a natural scene, with the color balance/saturation slightly "off" so the pop effect is masked by those other variables. Only you/the photographer knows what you had in mind

From a technical perspective, I think you did a good job. You used Photoshop, I assume?

I totally agree with what you are saying, photog1107.