Posted in xn--kfs74mzzid01b.com edit by anonym on November 21st, 2008
I have been re-analyzing my techniques lately as I am trying to train my eye and learn more... So this is a photo I previously had in B&W, and have done some more editing... am I going overboard with the PP or is it ok?
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa119/jennscooking/website%20photos/alexaverybw2.jpgkinda interesting technique, but like others said I would only add minimal blur and just to the back ground, I do like it b and w too dont worry, the better you get the less PP tequniques for things like this and the more other pp tequniques yiyou will learnThis was done when I only shot in auto... I'm just now trying to learn about manual settings. I'm taking a class that starts in a couple weeks, so I've been reading to try to get a head start. It's been almost 15 years since I learned the technical side of things on my Minolta film SLR! ;)I appreciate the response. I guess I was trying to make up for using my 18-55 and not having the more shallow DOF I wanted. :)Here is a quick attempt.....
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b313/crimsonandwhite/DysonFamilyAugust2007079.jpgI don't mind the sepia-esque caste, but the blurred vignette really doesn't work for me.Jenn, I also liked the original best but cropped as C&W did.Ok and here is my quick B&W treatment...
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b313/crimsonandwhite/DysonBlackandWhite.jpgJenn ...
A little perspective if you don't mind:
Your clients aren't subjecting your images to the kind of comparative scrutiny and criticism you impose on yourself when you look at the work of other photograhers and find yourself wanting.
We can all do that. But if we allow it to continually question our talent and ability, we'll never get anywhere.
Of course, it's important to strive always to do better. But there's also a time when you should be able to look at your own work and say "Damn! I'm pretty good at this."
You're already there, BTW. At least some of the time. Probably far more often than you're willing to admit!
Be honest in your work. Be honest with your subjects/clients. Be hard (but forgiving) on yourself.
Hey, I'm just some old guy ... who's been doing this for a very, very long time ...Here is a quick attempt.....
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b313/crimsonandwhite/DysonFamilyAugust2007079.jpg
The feet look OOF. The close up is better, but you can't tell the difference in the B&W one really....Gotcha! :thumbup:Thanks for all the help on this one. I didn't realize I could "fake" DoF. I will have to play around with that a bit. But better yet, I'll learn my camera settings, so I don't have to!Jenn ...
Your clients aren't subjecting your images to the kind of comparative scrutiny and criticism you impose on yourself when you look at the work of other photograhers and find yourself wanting.
Sandspur you have said it perfectly, as usual.
Clients tend to have and emotional response whereas other photographers first have a technical response. Show me a blurry, noisy, poorly cropped of somebody's kid and I'll tell you it is awful. Show me the same picture of my little cousin, for example, and I'll probably love it.Thanks again, Sandspur. You're right. My clients seem very happy with what I've done so far. The one I posted on this thread was from a shoot I did for my cousin's family. I did it for them for free, since I was just getting started and needed practice. So I'm sure they were happy with them, especially for free. :wink: I have a few photos I'm pretty proud of, but there is so much to know in this field! I have a long way to go, so I'll definitely remember your words. Thanks again!I like the Crimsonandwhite (http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/member.php?u=31567) crop. Looks better. The DOF after PS looks a bit non realist but this is other problem :)I really like the one after the crop too, CrimsonandWhite. Thank you for doing that!I think the original look fine. Usually if you have to ask 'Am I over PP'ing?', then the answer is yes. Like someone already said, it looks like you could shot at 18mm, wide open, and have gotten the DOF that you were looking for.Ok I decided the legs looked funny so how about as a close up?
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b313/crimsonandwhite/DysonCloseup.jpgThis sort of thing is ALWAYS better done in camera. In the case of this particular image, since you're now using aperture to control DOF, you might also have moved them a few feet farther away from the tree trunk so that it, too, would have been less dominant.
When it comes down to it, it liked it best as it was originally shot. Great pose! Great subjects!Jenn if you want to photoshop a deeper DOF you need to select the kids in this pic, then select inverse and apply a lens blur to taste. IF you post an original without the vingette I will show you what I am talking about.....Here's the original... now you see why I had to PP!:confused:To make it look more natural, you need to remember that thing that are the same distance as the subjects, should also be in focus....so don't make the grass at the bottom blurry. But the grass behind and the tree could be blurry...and it should get more blurry as it gets farther into the background. You can do this by adding a blur layer and putting a layer mask over it. Then paint the mask with a gradient so that it's stronger in the farther away parts.
Adding a vignette effect can also help, but I'd keep it to just a burning / darkening rather than a blur.Oops! Would help if I'd attach it!
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa119/jennscooking/DysonFamilyAugust2007079.jpgOkay, so why shoot at f9 at 33mm? Why not shoot wide open at 55mm and separate your subject a little further from the background? These are the sorts of issues that crop in 'full-auto' shooting. I'd recommend either full manual, or aperture priority, taking care to make sure that your shutter speeds don't fall below 1/125. And why, why, why shoot at ISO 800??? :confused:Thanks Sandspur! I don't have much confidence in my work when I look at the amazing work that other photographers do... there are a few I try to emulate, but I know I have a TON to learn, but I just feel like my stuff looks like crap compared to others. I'm hoping that with some reading and a few classes and lots of practice, that I'll be able to up my game some. Thanks for the encouragement! I really appreciate all the tips I've been getting on here already!
