Post processing tips

[kazuhiro]

Hey guys, any tips on making these two shots better with some post processing?

I have brightened these slightly, a touch more exposure and a wee bit of saturation.

EDIT: img's removed. Thanks for the tips guys.




These were taken on my D70s with a brand spanking new 18-200mm VR that I had owned for all of about 2 hours. So far I am happy with the lens, but still getting used to it.

[iposiniditos]

[Photos removed after kazuhiro's demand]

[gunn parker]

Hi
I too had a bit of a play to get the pic as I would have it. if you would like it removed just say and it's gone.
Andrew

[img]gone[/img]

[mark]

Hi kazuhiro

I just loved the look of this shot, although I felt it would benefit from a crop.
As I saw others having a go and posting, I thought I might do the same. If you want the image taken down just let me know.
This is a really quick PP effort, and I have just noticed that the crop is not as centred as it could be but you get the idea.

Edit - Image deleted.

What did I do?

Using PS CS2
1. Create a new levels adjustment layer. Dragging the white start point slider closer to the white start point in the histrogram.
2. Create a new curves adjustment layer. Dragging the top slider to the left about 1/3 the first grid then a slight move right for the bottom slider.
3.Create a new brightness/contrast adjustment layer and upped the brightness to 1 and the contrast to 3 or 4 (can't remember)
I use seperate layers so that I change the effect of each layer by simply clicking on the icon in the layers pallet.

Congrats on the new glass.

[Grev]

It's got a yellow cast (or is it green?) in the first one and a little in the second one, that's one thing I would adjust first I guess.

The second one is great, not much to do about that one, maybe even a B&W version would be nice.

The first one might benefit from a bit of photoshop vignetting.

[bwhinnen]

You always open up a photo to editing when you ask for PP help don't you.

My steps were (I won't post up the resultant photo unless you ask for the example)

1) Add an adjustment layer for levels. Adjust the white point (right most point) back until I get the highlights at a level I am mostly happy with. Adjust the shadows (blacks, left most) to a point where I am happy with the shadows.Then I adjust the mid-point to a point where I am happy with the overall look of the photo.

2) Add an adjustment layer for curves. Change the curve to get the look I want, this is best done by having the original un-edited image next to you at times for reference. Curves is such a wonderful tool and really does allow you to concentrate on certain aspects, just try and keep them smooth in transitions.

3) Add an adjustment layer for color balance. Here you can bring out (or take out) the colours you do or don't want.

The first photo needs a bit of all of them, it was underexposed more so than the second one, nothing unusual about that though with a Nikon D70 family

Adjusting the levels to get the right base feel will make it really come out. Fine tuning with curves will allow you to bring out certain parts of the photo and allow it to pop. The slight green cast to the photo comes out alot when the levels and curves are adjusted, but a small tweak was done in color balance to put a better tone to it (from my perspective).

The second is much better exposed. Some fine tuning here is required and it will come up great as well.

The first photo I really like, this shows the reckless abandonment of children. The second really is a moment shot, I can see she was in the process of telling you something, I just can't see what it was

All in all looks like a nice lens to add to your collection.

[kazuhiro]

Hey guys thanks for the tips, I guess ill go back and have another round of editing

She isn't my daughter either, but a friend was minding her and I got asked to come along. The parents know I was taking photos, and are cool with it.

But if you guys could take down the photos you posted that would be great. Ill be removing the ones I posted in few days also.