want a grungy, noisy look

[troypiggo]

There's this sort of spooky old boarded up house in my area that I've been wanting to take a night shot of for some time. Last night I finally got some shots of it. I want to make it look really grainy and spooky.

Here's the original shot. Hard to get different angles because of street lights and signs each side of it. Click it for a 1280x853 version:
http://piggo.com/~troy/photos/2008_03_14/500/img_6334_orig.jpg (http://piggo.com/~troy/photos/2008_03_14/1280/img_6334_orig.jpg)

Here is just a B&W desaturated version:
http://piggo.com/~troy/photos/2008_03_14/500/img_6334_bw.jpg (http://piggo.com/~troy/photos/2008_03_14/1280/img_6334_bw.jpg)

Here is a version getting towards what I want by adding some noise:
http://piggo.com/~troy/photos/2008_03_14/500/img_6334_grain.jpg (http://piggo.com/~troy/photos/2008_03_14/1280/img_6334_grain.jpg)

But it still doesn't feel that spooky. Any suggestions? You might even suggest recomposing it, and that's cool. I use GIMP, but could adapt any suggestions from PS users.

[cstewart]

Troy:

SEE THIS THREAD (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=466003)

Try out the technique on your building if you can and see what it looks like!

Cheers!
Chris

[Alissa]

I played around with your photo... Great pic, by the way. See what you think... If you like, let me know, I'll tell you how I did it.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c23/AliMac1313/Prototype.jpg

[troypiggo]

Troy:
SEE THIS THREAD (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=466003)
Try out the technique on your building if you can and see what it looks like!


Saw that thread the other day. Didn't occur to me to use it for this style of photo. Wasn't keen to fork out $160 for that LucasArt plugin!

I played around with your photo... Great pic, by the way. See what you think... If you like, let me know, I'll tell you how I did it.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c23/AliMac1313/Prototype.jpg

Thanks for that :) Looks like you desaturated a little and increased contrast? I like it, but doesn't feel spookier? Can't explain myself well enough, sorry.

There was a streetlight just to the left, and it's become apparent it's blown out that front right lower level. I'll probably go back and re-shoot, but want to get the PP sorted still. Thanks again.

[Alissa]

I increased contrast, added a vignette and double spotlight to highlight the house, and played with the curves. I also added a little film grain to it. You want spooky like.... different colors? Dirty, aged film look?

[Alexajlex]

Dave Hill is my boy :)

[troypiggo]

I increased contrast, added a vignette and double spotlight to highlight the house, and played with the curves. I also added a little film grain to it. You want spooky like.... different colors? Dirty, aged film look?

Yeah, I was thinking I'd desaturate it a little, and make it look dirty and noisy. I think your vignette idea is a good one. Thanks for your time on this. I'll have a little play more with it tonight or tomorrow.

[Alissa]

Add some fog to the landscape and maybe some light fog/clouds to the sky. A red full moon would definitely add some spook. Good luck.

[troypiggo]

Thanks Alissa. Just noticed your post count - welcome to the forums!

[SlowBlink]

Bring on Grunge, Bring on the Noize! :)