An exercise in PP

[spaz]

I've decided to make two attempts at post processing this image with very different results. I think each has it's own merit but am not really sure which I prefer, is the second one "too much"?

[bwhinnen]

I like the second more. Even with the harsher contrast and overly sharpened background it really works for me. You end up with a pool of light in front of the busker that is beckoning the couple walking.

[daniel_r]

#2, and I agree with Brett's comments. The processing just finishes it off nicely, and takes it up a notch.

[olrac]

#2 for me

[iGBH]

#2 for me also. The pool of light in front of the busker draws the focus more to him and gives the image a different dimension which seems to be missing in the first.

[methd]

i'll go with the crowd and choose #2, too.

[NJ]

definately the second for me also, make for a much more powerful image, draws all the attention to the busker (if that is what he is)

[binky]

2nd one for me too. In the first, my eye seems to be drawn to the yellow of the car number plate and the green bollard.

[spaz]

The more I look at them the more I lean towards the 2nd as well so have updated it in the blog.

Thanks everyone.

[dodge]

agree with everyone else here..No.2

[Reschsmooth]

No 2 for me as well. Can you explain your PP process on this one please?

Cheers

P

[spaz]

The original:

- A very slight S curve to enhance the contrast
- Duplicate the main layer twice (one color burn one color dodge) and selectively apply with a layer mask

New one (using the original as a base):

- Duplicate original and set as linear light, revealing everywhere but the man by layer mask
- Increased level of color burn over car and feet and added a circle to the layer mask for vignetting
- -59 saturation across everything but the man
- Another S curve
- And another S curve but only applied to the man
- -17 saturation across the whole image
- Selective color: reds (+17% black) yellows (-22% black) blues (-35% black)

All selective applications were done with a large paintbrush at 3-10% opacity and then the layer mask had a Gaussian blur of about 65 applied just to even it out.