C+C please - Flower with + without PP

[KarlosDaJackal]

Shot was taken hand held with only natural light coming from a window to the left about 4 meters away.

I have the camera in M mode, with the Adobe RGB colorspace and files saved as RAW, image opened in DPP, sharpness set to 2, brightness and contrast bumped up a level, and noise reduction applied at 5 + 5. Exported as exif-jpeg then uploaded to flickr

Original after DPP
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/2682654257_c3d5369a1d_b.jpg

For the PP'd version.

I used the GIMP to select the forground flower, I "olified" the background and then added a blue colour over the flower, its still a little rough in places, but mostly correct.

after GIMP
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3208/2683479752_932f5b0cb8_b.jpg

Exif data
# Camera Make = Canon
# Camera Model = Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
# Picture Orientation = normal (1)
# X-Resolution = 350/1 = 350
# Y-Resolution = 350/1 = 350
# X/Y-Resolution Unit = inch (2)
# Software/Firmware Version = Digital Photo Professional
# Last Modified Date/Time = 2008:07:19 15:20:41

# Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 1/100 second = 0.01 second
# Lens F-Number/F-Stop = 50/10 = F5
# Exposure Program = manual control (1)
# ISO Speed Ratings = 800
# Exposure Bias (EV) = 0/3 = 0
# Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
# Focal Length = 50/1 mm = 50 mm
# Colour Space = 65535
# Image Width = 3888 pixels
# Image Height = 2592 pixels
# Custom Rendered = normal process (0)
# Exposure Mode = manual exposure (1)
# White Balance = auto (0)
# Scene Capture Type = standard (0)

[Irreverent]

I much prefer the lighting in these shots to your previous shots I have commented on. The exposure seems much more accurate and sensitive to the subject. In fact, it looks like you totally nailed the exposure here - you've retained all detail in the very delicate flower. Great stuff.


In terms of the PP, I prefer the original in this case, if only because I don't think the scene needs any extra colour in it, and I find the added colour has no relation to any other part of the image, thus it becomes quite disruptive to the overall effect imho.

Thank you for providing such extensive image data - I for one really appreciate it.

[KarlosDaJackal]

Thanks for taking the time to comment, I agree on the blue colour, once I started messing with the image I just wanted to keep going, should have just left it with the oil painting effect on the background (especially like how the flower on the right turned out with that)

I think I'm starting to nail the exposure a bit more often now, since i put the camera on Adobe RGB and start reading the 3 colour histograms each time I take a snap, also with the meter on the 400d i'm finding that usually letting it creep up a little above centre seems to give better results, than dead centre.

I did some exposure practice today, with what I think is an extreme contrast scene (heavily resized shot and original histogram attached) think I nailed it also. So now I'm off to find some interesting subjects to frame :)

P.S. if the gun looks fake its because its not real, its a plastic airsoft one.