Before & After #161

[Ocron]

This game is to help those of us who are trying to learn new tricks when it comes to editing.

Here's the breakdown of the game. I will post a picture that I choose, resized to exactly 1024 pixels maximum on the long side. Outside of being resized it has to be unedited...meaning no adjustments to any levels, it has to look like it did as it came out of the camera.

The game will last 72hrs and whoever can produce the best edited image (as judged by me) will be picked and it'll be their turn to post their unedited picture for all of us to take a crack at.

The participants must have their "Image Editing OK" turned on and they must provide at least a simple breakdown of how they edited the image, some entrants are a little vague on this point, please give us all details so we can learn and share tips. For instance if you use the unsharp mask tool or Smart Sharpen, provide us with the adjustments you used so others can try them out.

You can post multiple images, but the first image you post will be the one that is judged - all other images will be considered for knowledge and tip use only.

Also, please keep all comments, be they positive or negative, to yourself until after the game has ended.

If you happen to be the winner of the game please start the next one with the title of the game and the following number. For example…the next game should read "Before & After #162".

This is all about having fun so have at it!!!

This round will end at 12:00pm EST Tues 2/17


Naples (Fla) Pier

http://ocron.zenfolio.com/img/v5/p69418518.jpg

[tkbslc]

Guess I'll go first.

-Fixed distortion and straightened horizon
-cropped out the people because I felt they were distracting
-adjusted brightness
-added graduated blue/orange tint
-used bloom effect to soften up the clouds and water a bit.

[dilorenzo1954]

I first selected the left side of the image just right of center and used the transform tool (perspective and skew) to correct the distortion to the horizon. Used Nik Color Efex Graduated Neutral density filter to balance the exposure. Cloned out the torso and head on the lower right hand corner. Used Graduated Fog filter at 81% to soften overall image and remove the harsh shadows from the clouds. Used the Glamour Glow filter at 44% Glow, -56% Saturation to soften image and mute the colors. Cropped, added frame, and resized



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3522/3279960825_d42a9f126e_b_d.jpg

[MJA]

Made a psuedo HDR from +4 to -1.5 in .5 exposure increments
Cloned birds/people on right
Used Nik Viveza for adjusting sky/clouds/foreground
Level horizon
Correct camera distortion 3.7
Noise removal (sky was pixelated at this point)
Slight sharpen

http://www.cornbread.com/~ratta/banda161.jpg

[frenchfx]

applied nik neutral density filter to even out the light.
applied nik tonal contrast: HC +21 | MC -5 | SC +12. This added a bit more contrast to the back clouds.
cropped
added softening affect to the water
added flare
darkened a bit
upped global contrast a little more
Some Dodge and burn
Added borders

http://frenchfx.smugmug.com/photos/474025191_kFpRB-L.jpg

[monty28428]

ACR - bumped up exposure, saturation boost reds, oranges, yellows

CS - ptlens barrel distortion, straighten horizon, crop, orange/yellow gradient

[SilverHCIC]

I've been too busy to play for a while, but I loved this picture. ... It seemed to have a lot of potential to create a very calm and soothing feeling.

1. Opened image in ACR and created 5 .jpgs ranging in exposure from -1 to +3
2. Tonemapped in Photomatix
3. Ran through Noiseware w/ +2 sharpening
4. Opened in CS3 and made curves adjustment to balance contrast
5. Adjusted yellow hue to make image slightly warmer & bumped saturation of yellow channel
6. +2 saturation on entire image
7. Levels adjustment (very, very slight adjustment of middle slider to the left), then second adjustment of left (black) slider to make pier, small buildings and people silhouettes
8. Cloned away a few birds in air & on water
9. Cloned away woman in lower right corner
10. Increased yellow/orange on underside of selected clouds
11. Slight burning of underside of selected clouds
12. Quick border

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/3285459590_cc1415f5f5_o.jpg

[Ocron]

As usual there was something to like about every edit, but the one I kept coming back to was MJA's HDR. So MJA, you are the winner and I'm looking forward to what you got for us. (sorry for the short comments, but I'm heading out the door right now and am late!)

[MJA]

Thanks Sean. I was afraid it looked too processed or the foreground was a little too bright. I really liked some of the "golden water" edits. I will have the next contest up shortly..I know just the pic that needs some help. Great job all!

[S.Horton]

MJA - Congrats!

I like all of them, as usual.

;}

[SilverHCIC]

Congrats MJA. I thought this set had a lot of very good edits. I'm glad I didn't have to choose. It was a fun picture to play with. :D

[dilorenzo1954]

Congrats Mike! Nice edits everybody;)

[monty28428]

Congrats Mike! Nice edits everybody!! (Hey I just copied Ed!!)

tkbslc -- What is this "bloom effect" ??

[tkbslc]

i use some freeware called Photoscape for some of the effects and filters. Bloom is one of the main filters. Basically it is a hazy brightness effect.

There are ways to do it easily with photoshop. google "bloom effect" if interested (or download photoscape)

[frenchfx]

Congrats Mike! some really nice edits in here.

[mäger]

Guess I'll go first.

-Fixed distortion and straightened horizon
-cropped out the people because I felt they were distracting
-adjusted brightness
-added graduated blue/orange tint
-used bloom effect to soften up the clouds and water a bit.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=342460&stc=1&d=1234676298
wow. this one was the best imo. looks soo nice