At my own risk...

[ROMEO.XK]

Well, as you guys can see, this is my first post, I just got my my first SLR (XS), before all I had used was point and shoots, and that is all I used to do, no even trying to post edit or anything, given the fact that I just got me a new 17" MacBook Pro and this camera, I figure I would just TRY to learn a bit more about photography.

Right now I just have the kit lens, (18-55) and I have been doing lots of reading making up my mind on what lens I'm gona get next, but that is another history, also, I may nit go crazy getting lenses as I Have another hobby ( See the pic below ;) )

Now, I sure want to heard what I'm doing wrong, and what I'm not doing at all, but just keep on mind, I'm a big time newby with all this, I will the as shoot pic, and the one that I was playing with using iPhoto, I now, I know, I should have PS and other programs by next week...

Original:

http://i41.tinypic.com/2unu4r7.jpg


The one I played with:

http://i44.tinypic.com/fny58n.jpg


MOD EDIT:
1024px on the longest side is the maximum here.

[Stutterbug]

make sure to read the image posting rules, looks like you followed the for the vertical but not for the horizontal.

Nice job bringing back the sky, looked pretty bad but you did good bringing it back.Looks like the frame around the windshield didn't fare so well though. I think you did a good job not splitting your picture with the horizon and I think the angle of the jeep makes it look pretty tough.

I would consider getting rid of the legs on the other side of the jeep. Also maybe the bird or jet? not sure what that is flying across the top right.

All in all I think this is a pretty good picture. Doesn't hold much interest for me as I'm not a big fan of Jeeps, but for what it is I think you did a great job!

[ROMEO.XK]

First of, let me apologize for not getting the size right when I first posted the tread, it was not my intention, I edited the first post with pictures that were resized to 1024x786, I hope I got them right this time...:!:




make sure to read the image posting rules, looks like you followed the for the vertical but not for the horizontal.

Nice job bringing back the sky, looked pretty bad but you did good bringing it back.Looks like the frame around the windshield didn't fare so well though. I think you did a good job not splitting your picture with the horizon and I think the angle of the jeep makes it look pretty tough.

I would consider getting rid of the legs on the other side of the jeep. Also maybe the bird or jet? not sure what that is flying across the top right.

All in all I think this is a pretty good picture. Doesn't hold much interest for me as I'm not a big fan of Jeeps, but for what it is I think you did a great job!


Thanks for your input, I totally messed the area around the windshield, and the legs and that "dot" on the air I saw them after I had upload them, I will take care of those, and try to come up with something for the windshield. But at least it makes me feel better that the post edited pictures was not terrible... I can see that no too many people care about Jeeps here... Maybe now that the pics are back up I can get a few more pointers.

[howardlib]

:lol:

[jetboy]

Careful Howardlib, the OPer doesn't have "Image Editing OK" enabled.

[howardlib]

Just showing what can be done

[the phelp]

Romeo - you should turn on "image editing ok" in your profile, so people can show you the tricks. For the image, I recommend generally trying to give the subject more room in front than behind, and place the subject in accordance with the "rule of thirds" (not a hard and fast rule, but probably better to follow in this case). Take a look at some of the other posts here, and you'll see what I mean. Here's a great example:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=706208

In keeping with this, I'd crop the shot so that the jeep is in the bottom-right area of the frame, and get rid of most of the road (it doesn't do anything for me). Basically, take about two-thirds of the image starting from the top-left corner and get rid of the rest.

The other problem you have is the light and atmosphere just aren't working with you on the shot. The simple advice is "go back and re-shoot it in the early morning or evening after an awesome storm so the sky is perfectly clear and you have massive thunderheads in the background." For those of us that have somewhat longer working hours, that isn't possible. If you're like me, you'll have to get used to getting what you can when you can, and dressing it up as best you can in photoshop (and keeping an eye out for the opportunities that do arise).

With all that out of the way, your recovery attempt is okay, but it has a decontrasted pastel look that isn't very appealing to me (it's also a little more saturated than I'd pick). If you get photoshop, and have the raw file, try upping the clarity in the raw converter, or making a "local contrast" adjustment in photoshop. I know you're new, so this might be a bit foreign to you, but i'll also suggest making a new layer from the background in PS, converting it to a smart object (convert for smart filters), and running a "shadows/highlights" (s/h) on the smart object - in s/h, drop the shadows adjustment amount to zero (it defaults to 50, and will make the image look pretty bad at first), and then raise the highlights adjustment until the sky looks better. When you're done, you might need to mask off the portions of the adjustment layer that didn't need the adjustment (click on the little mask box and paint with a black brush is the quickest way). Others might have better suggestions on recovering the sky, but that's something I've been doing lately.

It might take a while to get the hang of all this, but get a book or two and keep coming back here, and you'll be up to speed before you know it!

Welcome to POTN!

[gamec0mmander]

Second is too saturated and the first has colors washed out. Try this and repost:

If you have photoshop:
1) Make a copy layer
2) change blend mode of copy layer to "overlay"
3) reduce the opacity of the copy layer to about 35% (or more if you need to)

This will make the existing colors pop. GL

[ROMEO.XK]

I could not be there at a specific time, and this is 7 hours away from my home, plus and extra 2 hours of off roadding (no that I mind the last 2 hours)

Weather was not that good, I will be going back for Aug 15th and try to get better shoots.

THanks for the photoshop pointers, I will try hose as soon as I get it installed.

And no kidding, this is all confusing now, but I'm sure eventually I will get it, just like I got computers and cars

[caphotobuff]

I really love the editing you did to that Jeep originally. I think it could use a bit more contrast and perhaps a vignette and you're golden. What sort of work did you do on it to get that HDR-ish sort of look. Looks to me like you bumped the Fill Light way up, but I'm not sure.

[rw2]

I would layer the 2 having the more saturated pic on top. Then I would mask out the grass and the road to show the less saturated picture in these areas.
As stated if you would turn on image editing people could show you their ideas.

[ROMEO.XK]

I really love the editing you did to that Jeep originally. I think it could use a bit more contrast and perhaps a vignette and you're golden. What sort of work did you do on it to get that HDR-ish sort of look. Looks to me like you bumped the Fill Light way up, but I'm not sure.



Well, all I used was iPhoto, I went into the adjustments and started to play with the settings, pumped the highlights, and shadows, I'm working on getting me a few programs, I used to play with photoshop but that was on PC, and I got me lightroom, but is the first time I use that, I feel totally lost with it, I also think that from now on I will try to start shooting RAW and se how tht goes, never done it before...

[ROMEO.XK]

I would layer the 2 having the more saturated pic on top. Then I would mask out the grass and the road to show the less saturated picture in these areas.
As stated if you would turn on image editing people could show you their ideas.

IMAGE EDITING ACTIVATED, What you just explained sounds interesting, but I would liyng if I tell you I know what you are talking about....

[i-dar]

How about this kind of PP?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3328/3615301059_68b3186c51_o.jpg

[telephoto500]

hope you like it

[TheHunter]

How about this kind of PP?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3328/3615301059_68b3186c51_o.jpg

I like this edit, it feels more like what the shot should have originally been. Its true that with something such as a vehicle, giving it room to move in to in front of it can make it look better.

[ROMEO.XK]

Actually, I did take pic very similar to that, I mean, location, but for some reason, the one you guys have seen is the first one I stared to post edit, I guess I was been greedy, and wanted to have the background, and the Commander all in one shoot.

[shack]

To my eye the dirt road is just too much of nothing. You can still get the background in with a tighter crop.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/3616114039_536de33cc9_o.jpg

[ROMEO.XK]

I also think that having a wider lens would have help me a lot...

[shack]

I also think that having a wider lens would have help me a lot...

I disagree. A wider lens would just pick up more stuff that adds nothing to the image...at least in this particular location.

[radloser]

I agree with all of the above. I would do one other thing though. Wash it, or COVER it in mud. I'd even use the windshield wipers to wipe away the excess mud on the windshield to give it that "driven hard" look. I would also take it in the early morning or late evening depending on where the sun rises/sets. After you're done with that. Take some shots of mud splattered on details of the car like emblems or door handles! Remember to try to stay out of the reflections though.

[tkbslc]

Biggest problem with this shot is the boring light. Go right around sunrise or sunset for some better light. Anyway, here is my take:

[ROMEO.XK]

I have to agree with the lights comment, but when I go there is mainly for camping and offroading, normally we go out to the trails and don't get back till is dark, but I will try to get some shots earlier next time I go.

As for the comment of covering it on mud, I do, and I do drive it hard, but the paint hides it.