Getting rid of cables: I was wandering around at work over the weekend, just taking some shots of the foliage - it was good timing because less than 24 hours later, that big maple was...

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

I was wandering around at work over the weekend, just taking some shots of the foliage - it was good timing because less than 24 hours later, that big maple was almost bare; the leaves were coming down like snow on Monday morning.

Anyway, I offered to let the boss have copies to use as computer wallpaper. When I started tidying them up, though, I noticed how obtrusive all the hanging cables were. In RL, you don't even notice them, but they really made some of the photos look strange.

I am just learning photoshop, but I decided to try and get rid of the cables digitally. It isn't exactly swapping heads, but it was interesting. I would be interested in hearing comments on the before and after shots.

Thanks - and be kind!

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

You did good on the cables. Now get ride of the poles and that pesky little white artifact in the lower right hand corner. Remove those distractions and we can start concentrating on the interesting juxtaposition of the color yellow.

snails_pace Loc: Utah

Just a suggestion - OnOne software is currently having a free public beta test of their new Perfect Suite 8.

There is a new "perfect eraser tool". It would be pretty easy to remove the other power lines, pole, shadow in the foreground etc.

Since it's free, why not give it a try?

Heirloom Tomato Loc: Oregon

Bob Yankle wrote:

You did good on the cables. Now get ride of the poles and that pesky little white artifact in the lower right hand corner. Remove those distractions and we can start concentrating on the interesting juxtaposition of the color yellow.

You did great on the cables. Bob is pointing you in the right direction to remove more distracting objects from this otherwise very nice photo.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Bob Yankle wrote:

You did good on the cables. Now get ride of the poles and that pesky little white artifact in the lower right hand corner. Remove those distractions and we can start concentrating on the interesting juxtaposition of the color yellow.

Wow! I hadn't even spotted that silly pipe sticking out of the ground there... I thought the poles were a bit ambitious, but maybe not...

Ok, this time I have removed the poles, that little pipe, the other pole and cables from the left-hand side, and the big ugly shadow which was on the grass. What do you think?

MtnMan Loc: ID

Bloke wrote:

Wow! I hadn't even spotted that silly pipe sticking out of the ground there... I thought the poles were a bit ambitious, but maybe not...

Ok, this time I have removed the poles, that little pipe, the other pole and cables from the left-hand side, and the big ugly shadow which was on the grass. What do you think?

Great job! I'm not sure removing the pole behind the busses was necessary but it didn't hurt.

The story I get is comparing the yellow of the school busses to the tree. I wonder if a little crop in from the left and up to eliminate the right bus and some of the grass might not help your story?

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

snails_pace wrote:

Just a suggestion - OnOne software is currently having a free public beta test of their new Perfect Suite 8.

There is a new "perfect eraser tool". It would be pretty easy to remove the other power lines, pole, shadow in the foreground etc.

Since it's free, why not give it a try?

I might check it out, but I am really trying to get to grips with photoshop. I have CS2, which is a bit long in the tooth (I also have version 5, which wouldn't even load on a machine with XP or later. That upset me greatly!). I have just bought CS3 on ebay, so if I can register that, I should qualify for the $10-per-month deal on the cloud version. A new, up-to-date version, the mind boggles!

Thanks for the comments

Heirloom Tomato Loc: Oregon

Bloke wrote:

Wow! I hadn't even spotted that silly pipe sticking out of the ground there... I thought the poles were a bit ambitious, but maybe not...

Ok, this time I have removed the poles, that little pipe, the other pole and cables from the left-hand side, and the big ugly shadow which was on the grass. What do you think?

Sticking my opinion in: You elevated your photo from a snapshot to something really good. You did an excellent job removing distracting details. If we could give out gold stars on UHH, you'd get five from me right now. You have made your debut in post processing. Great job! Did you have fun doing it? :-P

RicknJude Loc: Quebec, Canada

Bloke wrote:

Wow! I hadn't even spotted that silly pipe sticking out of the ground there... I thought the poles were a bit ambitious, but maybe not...

Ok, this time I have removed the poles, that little pipe, the other pole and cables from the left-hand side, and the big ugly shadow which was on the grass. What do you think?

I downloaded the finished version and it looks great. PP can be fun if you have the time to learn it.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Heirloom Tomato wrote:

Sticking my opinion in: You elevated your photo from a snapshot to something really good. You did an excellent job removing distracting details. If we could give out gold stars on UHH, you'd get five from me right now. You have made your debut in post processing. Great job! Did you have fun doing it? :-P

Yes, I did! I will process the rest again, when I get time, and take them in to replace the ones on the boss's computer. Not sure if they will make much difference to her, but I will feel better about it!

I figure, you never know when someone could be visiting the office, and be mightilly impressed with her wallpaper. This is just a hobby, and I am not looking to make money out of it, but a referral never hurts! I do the same thing with my music, just to 'get my name out there'.

I appreciate all the comments and advice, really!

MIKE GALLAGHER Loc: New Zealand

Bloke - very well done!
Mike

smcaleer Loc: Dearborn Heights, Michigan

Bloke wrote:

I was wandering around at work over the weekend, j... (show quote)

I really hate pp. I don't have the patience, but sometimes it is so needed. Living in the suburbs, power lines and those dang poles are always getting in the way of my shots.