Taken on the way to Mt. St. Helens.
Thanks for looking, Joe
F/2.8, 1/60, ISO-400
Posted by Curtis Knight on January 4, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Great mood! can't find a nit.
Posted by Geoff Shapiro on January 4, 2009 at 7:14 PM
I do really like this, Joe. Very well seen and envisioned for what you wanted to end up with. If I were to make any suggestions it might be along the lines of:
1. It seems like a little too much in the midtones here so perhaps bump the contrast a little?
2. I also like this as a square presentation, cropping up from bottom until square. Doing this does lose you those turned over pair of leaves which is too bad, but it is an alternative way to see this. Not necessarily better, just different.
Thanks Curtis and Geoff for commenting.
Geoff, the reason I didn't bump up the contrast is because I didn't want to blow out the whites on the bark any more. I also thought the overturned leaves added to the comp. Here's the square version you suggested with a slight bump in contrast.
Posted by Geoff Shapiro on January 4, 2009 at 9:14 PM
I like both comps, Joe. I do know where you're coming from with those leaves - they did add interest for sure.
BTW, you can easily boost contrast in the scene in general and not blow out those whites on the trunks. Just use a mask so you only apply the curves adjustment to everything but those highlights...
Posted by Mark Hudon on January 4, 2009 at 9:53 PM
The first one is the ticket for me, maybe add a hair more contrast but I could take it as is.
Thanks for the suggestion Geoff, but I don't think I have a curves adjustment on this old version of Elements I currently have. If my buddy that runs a computer lab at UCLA actually sends me a copy of CS4 like he says he is going to, I'll be in business!
Mark, here's the original version with a slight bump in contrast.
Posted by John Jarvinen on January 4, 2009 at 11:36 PM
You have a great eye! Lovely image....Jarvone
Posted by Mark Hudon on January 4, 2009 at 11:42 PM
Yeah, you could send me the last one for my birthday this year, I wouldn't mind.
Posted by Geoff Shapiro on January 4, 2009 at 11:52 PM
Elements 2. I do have a layers tool, but I dont see a curves adjustment.
Posted by Geoff Shapiro on January 5, 2009 at 1:00 AM
Joe, I just happen to also have PSE2 on my machine in addition to full PSCS. You're right, there is no curves layer in PSE2, but there is a brightness/contrast layer you can select. Steps:
1. Create a selection of the highlight areas using a suitable selection tool (magic wand works).
2. Invert selection to select everything but the highlight areas.
3. Feather a few pixels (depends on your resolution).
4. Select Layer->New Adjustment Layer->Brightness/Contrast and adjust to suit.
Mmmm, good work, Joe! I like the last redo of the original b/w. Also like the color version very much, except the color of the bark looks a little off- is it too blue, maybe? Anyway, love the mood and the comp. Nice going.
Posted by John Williams on January 7, 2009 at 9:09 AM
I love it Joe, well seen. I had Geoff's exact thought on the midtone contrast in the original, so good work there. I vote for the crop. While I like the leaves, they head in a different direction from the trunks in my mind, and for me those trunks are the best part.
Wow, I'm pleasantly suprised at the amount of feedback I've gotten from this simple little comp, I'm glad you all like it! John, I think those leaves add to the comp, but I'm glad you enjoy the crop. Cattherine, you are right. Here's one with less blue.
Discussion
19 repliesThanks for looking, Joe
F/2.8, 1/60, ISO-400
1. It seems like a little too much in the midtones here so perhaps bump the contrast a little?
2. I also like this as a square presentation, cropping up from bottom until square. Doing this does lose you those turned over pair of leaves which is too bad, but it is an alternative way to see this. Not necessarily better, just different.
Geoff, the reason I didn't bump up the contrast is because I didn't want to blow out the whites on the bark any more. I also thought the overturned leaves added to the comp. Here's the square version you suggested with a slight bump in contrast.
BTW, you can easily boost contrast in the scene in general and not blow out those whites on the trunks. Just use a mask so you only apply the curves adjustment to everything but those highlights...
Mark, here's the original version with a slight bump in contrast.
1. Create a selection of the highlight areas using a suitable selection tool (magic wand works).
2. Invert selection to select everything but the highlight areas.
3. Feather a few pixels (depends on your resolution).
4. Select Layer->New Adjustment Layer->Brightness/Contrast and adjust to suit.