contrast/exposure/temperature

[dmann]

I had a really hard time with this shot. I have tried several times to adjust the contrast/exposure and temp only to get a background that was too grey, blue or ivory. I quit at this edit, is the sky still too warm? Please let me know your other thoughts as well as this was my first photo shoot, I have lots to learn.

ISO 100
Exposure 1/1250
Shutter Speed 1/1328
F- Stop f/3.50
Aperture f/3.50
Focal Length 50mm
Flash did not fire

[toddbartush]

You could crop out the stuff on the left and part of the sky (keeping the same aspect ratio), and convert it to black and white. I tried it on my computer and even though the sky is still blown out, it isn't as bad in B/W.

[amoringello]

Agree, the image is somewhat devoid of color to begin with, converting to B&W would not be a bad idea.

What is your objective? Are you looking to get a blue or a sunset yellow sky?

The sky is completely blown out, so your options are limited.
Convert to B&W.
Crop it out.
Or, replace it with another sky.

[dmann]

I will try your suggestions and post when done.

I had never thought of cropping the photo because I liked the girl centered but I am open to the idea. Also as far as the sky goes I know a lot of people don't like it blown out but I like a blown out sky. So in this case I didn't mind it and I especially liked the contrast of the sky, trees then snow. But I am learning and welcome suggestions

[dmann]

Here is the edit with your suggestions, I really like it. Thank you, I was sceptical (as I am with everything) but it really improved the photo, now I am thinking "what other pictures should I crop and convert to B&W..."

[Niresangwa]

No offence to the previous suggestions, but I don't think that was the 'only way to go'. Be careful that you don't get into the habit of doing a black and white conversion simply because you feel like you hit a brick wall.

The issue with this shot in B&W, especially such a high contrast conversion is that it ends up looking too dark. You have dark jackets, a swath of darkness from the treeline, and dark hair/hats...the only lights are mostly blown.

The fact that the focus is missed too, means its a very muddy choice to go B&W. In my opinion they work best when its a predominantly light image, few important highlights blown, and you have clean well defined lines.

Anyways, that's why I would say it's not a great choice for the conversion you chose.

That said, the lack of colour is simply an exposure issue... when youre shooting in bright conditions..snowy & sunny, you need to underexpose it a little to maintain some saturation and definition, then adjust in post. Otherwise it's going to be washed out, like it is here, too contrasty.

I did take the liberty of working on the original you posted. If you'd like me to remove it, just let me know and it will be done.

I felt that the already desaturated nature of the shot should be played up a little here. I can tell from your album you like the pseudo-vintage, classic look, and the way theyre dressed and the location certainly play to this, as it were.

Again, playing to the subtle colours, the image just needed tweaking to bring them out (to the extent that they could be)...and a somewhat more aggressive contemporary crop for a more interesting composition..again, just my opinion...

Here's what I did:

1) Levels adjustment (0, 1.30, 255)
2) Vibrance & Saturation adjustment (+56 & +18 respectively)
3) Colour Balance adjustment (shadows bump greens/yellow, midtones bump green/blue, highlights bump red/yellow), 90% opacity
4) Apply Warming filter 85 @ 28%
5) Apply gentle vignette in the corners to add *something* to that blown sky

Composition I wanted her central, and him as an accent to balance on the right side. Maintain the treeline in the middle 3rd to balance the blown snow and sky in the upper and lower thirds as balance and colour.

Ultimately, it's a cute shot, and was worth playing with, as I would be happy with it. Really though, settings-wise, I would have stopped down a little more... as I mentioned, it would pay to slightly underexpose the shot.

In these conditions however, I would have been using lighting.

[dmann]

Thank you again, I do like your edit, don't remove it. I really like your advice it is very helpful. I think I am going to go back and start fresh with a lot of these photos as the originals aren't as blown out, overexposed and too contrast. They aren't perfect by any means and I still need to work on exposure. But a lot of the critique I am getting is from my processing (which needs work) and I think if I can get opinions on the original shots it will help me improve my shooting.

[edbayani]

i agree with niresangwa. don't convert to bw. you can still enhance the colors in post processing. i would not cut off the post but move it a bit to the right to have a tighter composition and reduce the glaring snow at the back.

[dmann]

I love the post being moved, this edit really enhanched the feel I wanted. What software were you using to move the post? I am a new at this Also I really enjoy the enhanced color, it made the sun shining on them pop, which is great.

[edbayani]

i am using CS2. i selected the post using quickmask and brushed with a very soft brush the post from the top of the frame to the bottom and brushed past the post a bit. exit quckmask and put it in another layer and moved to the right, merged and cropped to the edge of the moved post.