I managed to get a couple mornings photographing deer for the first time. The light was pretty hard going and the occational shower kept me refreshed.
I'm not overly happy with my post processing and struggling to get a healthy balance that reflects the conditions I was faced with, your thoughts are allways valued.
Canon 1Dmk2
Canon 600L IS
Tripod+393
1/20th
F5.6
iso 800
Thanks
Raff
Posted by Sean Bolton on January 9, 2007 at 5:08 PM
Hi Raff
Welcome to the forum
Firstly your image server (imageshack) runs like a dog....it took a while for the image to download.
Composition wise it looks fine, although to my eye there is a strong blue cast, probably due to the early morning light. How did you set the WB, in camera or in RAW converter?
I took the liberty of downloading your image and fiddling around a bit (it's the sort of thing I do.... )
I tweaked the grey point and the blue channel in levels, also applied some neatimage noise reduction (not really necessary on this size of file but worth applying to the original image if you haven't already....).
A tad more sharpening and overall levels adjustment and this is my warmer version. Not sure if it better or not, I prefer the warmer look but just personal taste.
cheers
Sean
p.s. I am also glad to see another 393 user on the forum, a brilliant bit of kit.
Wow!! okay so I need to spend some time improving my limited PS skills. The difference is amazing, I'm now cringing at my posted imaged
I left the WB set to auto from in camera, all ways have done..
Apologies for the image download time, never had an issue but if it persists I'll change. Probs sign up to NPN soon so that will solve it.
Cheers
Raff
Posted by Rob Ashton on January 9, 2007 at 5:26 PM
Don't apologise for your image Raff. Sean has reworked it to show you how it can be improved with a little skill. Your original capture is really good and shows the subject off well in its environment. Minor post processing corrections will make a good image outstanding so keep up the good work.
Hello Raff
The image size seems very large, do you use PS to save your images for web? If so, try limiting your file size to 200k (optimize file size option).
There's nothing wrong with your original image, it just needed a little tweeking (as per Sean), just keep posting and its amazing how the advice from on here soon puts things right.
Best wishes
Phil
Thanks for the replies Rob and Phil. I'm just glad I've started posting here and can learn from others and improve my images, only problem then I'll want to redo all my previous shots over the years
images size is only 166kb??
Raff
Posted by Brian Phipps on January 9, 2007 at 5:47 PM
Hi Raff,
Nice first image, sorry I couldn`t meet you down there, had loads of time off over Christmas, can`t have much more let!
Have to try and sort out something in the next couple of weeks, will PM you.
Posted by Sean Bolton on January 9, 2007 at 5:50 PM
Hi Raff
Your image size is fine (640x457, 169kBytes), I suspect your image server is the culprit if download speeds are slow. It might be just a glitch so don't panic just yet, but if it persists I would consider a different image host.
WB errors are often difficult to spot yourself, I have done it with my images, sometimes a second pair of eyes really helps to spot the obvious.
Posted by John Chapman on January 10, 2007 at 4:51 AM
Hi Raff
welcome to the Forum. nice first posting and you have joined a nice bunch of guys who are more than willing to give sound advice.
Look forward to seeing more of your images.
John
Aberdeen.
Posted by Mark sellings on January 10, 2007 at 5:22 AM
Nice image Raff - where was it taken? you off there with Brian then?
And a very nice Sika it is too, good solid composition, nice setting and sharp...
Only nit on your original post is the wb setting... when shooting RAW it is fine to leave the camera set to AWB, the processor tries to guess what the colour temp should be from the tones etc recorded, when converting the first thing to do is to set a 'correct' wb, this can and does affect the shadow/highlight clipping, if you have been unable to shoot a wb frame then choosing from one of the presets and fine tuning that is a good option, for this image a cloudy wb would probably have worked well as it warms the image up slightly from the daylight setting.
All the best
Posted by Chris Lloyd on January 10, 2007 at 7:48 AM
Thanks again for the replys, any comments, advice, critic is allways soaked up and valued.
I pop another one up when I can get the post work to my likings.
Cheers
Raff
Posted by Paul Williams on January 13, 2007 at 8:16 AM
This shot is very nice, good colour (with the WB sorted) and nice composition.
Discussion
14 repliesI'm not overly happy with my post processing and struggling to get a healthy balance that reflects the conditions I was faced with, your thoughts are allways valued.
Canon 1Dmk2
Canon 600L IS
Tripod+393
1/20th
F5.6
iso 800
Thanks
Raff
Welcome to the forum
Firstly your image server (imageshack) runs like a dog....it took a while for the image to download.
Composition wise it looks fine, although to my eye there is a strong blue cast, probably due to the early morning light. How did you set the WB, in camera or in RAW converter?
I took the liberty of downloading your image and fiddling around a bit (it's the sort of thing I do....
I tweaked the grey point and the blue channel in levels, also applied some neatimage noise reduction (not really necessary on this size of file but worth applying to the original image if you haven't already....).
A tad more sharpening and overall levels adjustment and this is my warmer version. Not sure if it better or not, I prefer the warmer look but just personal taste.
cheers
Sean
p.s. I am also glad to see another 393 user on the forum, a brilliant bit of kit.
I left the WB set to auto from in camera, all ways have done..
Apologies for the image download time, never had an issue but if it persists I'll change. Probs sign up to NPN soon so that will solve it.
Cheers
Raff
Rob
The image size seems very large, do you use PS to save your images for web? If so, try limiting your file size to 200k (optimize file size option).
There's nothing wrong with your original image, it just needed a little tweeking (as per Sean), just keep posting and its amazing how the advice from on here soon puts things right.
Best wishes
Phil
images size is only 166kb??
Raff
Nice first image, sorry I couldn`t meet you down there, had loads of time off over Christmas, can`t have much more let!
Have to try and sort out something in the next couple of weeks, will PM you.
Your image size is fine (640x457, 169kBytes), I suspect your image server is the culprit if download speeds are slow. It might be just a glitch so don't panic just yet, but if it persists I would consider a different image host.
WB errors are often difficult to spot yourself, I have done it with my images, sometimes a second pair of eyes really helps to spot the obvious.
cheers
Sean
Sean, sent you a PM (email through the site)
welcome to the Forum. nice first posting and you have joined a nice bunch of guys who are more than willing to give sound advice.
Look forward to seeing more of your images.
John
Aberdeen.
Only nit on your original post is the wb setting... when shooting RAW it is fine to leave the camera set to AWB, the processor tries to guess what the colour temp should be from the tones etc recorded, when converting the first thing to do is to set a 'correct' wb, this can and does affect the shadow/highlight clipping, if you have been unable to shoot a wb frame then choosing from one of the presets and fine tuning that is a good option, for this image a cloudy wb would probably have worked well as it warms the image up slightly from the daylight setting.
All the best
Great first post. Look forward to more.
Regards Chris.
I pop another one up when I can get the post work to my likings.
Cheers
Raff