PP help needed (Page 2): I tried to play with PhotoShop a bit, blurring the background and recropping a bit...

Turbo Loc: Raleigh, NC

Patw28 wrote:

You may be able to save a lot of time and PP if,when you see a lot of contrast in your scene, you switch to spot meterig and meter on the brightest spot of interest. Then check your histogram or hi-lite blinker to verify that you have not blown out points of concern.

You can dig out more detail in under exposed areas than you can in blown out areas (zero!).

I tried to play with PhotoShop a bit, blurring the background and recropping a bit

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

Old Tom wrote:

Actually the org is a 5 meg file and I cropped out one bird.
attached is the full orginal

I think you nailed your own question here - you were on the wrong side of the sun......did the best you could with what you have. The birds obviously would move if you tried to get alot closer. Yes, the birds are overexposed but that would be a tough read for any in camera meter since half the bird is in shadow and the other bright light. Only two solutions - shoot the birds again and cook in the oven.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

rpavich wrote:

It's pretty close to impossible (but not impossible) to regain blown out highlights.

Q: How did you not realize that this happened when you were taking the picture?

Was the camera on "auto" something or other?

As was said...the histogram on the back of the camera doesn't tell all but one thing it WILL tell is blown out highlights (blinkies) and clipped blacks.

Like I said...the focus just isn't there either...so this shot is a bust...one for the dust bin.

sorry to dispell any illusions here but some folks just don't look at the histogram much - in the field or elsewhere yet surprizing come up with outstanding images.

Old Tom Loc: South Fort Myers

Good point - I am going to check which metering scene would fit situations with such a high contrast.

PlushToy Loc: Nebraska

first try at this.

Turbo Loc: Raleigh, NC

Here is another option

PNagy Loc: Missouri City, Texas

Old Tom wrote:

Looking at these photos from yesterday I see I was on the wrong side of the Sun (shooting S @10:30am) . I wanted to see if the picture could be improved. Photo labeled ORG is the orginal and the second is my attempt. I notice on the Histograms of the org that there is a lot of peaking going on in each color and in the improved the peaking is limited to one peak per color. Does that make any sence to you?

Feel free and please do try to work some magic on this photo.

Old Tom:

PP is easier if we could have the full file. The way you posted these allows us only to take a screen shot. To the right of "Choose File" is a box with the words "(store in original)." Check the box. The full file will now be imbedded in your post.

Peter The

Deb58 Loc: Upstate, New York

Old Tom wrote:

Looking at these photos from yesterday I see I was on the wrong side of the Sun (shooting S @10:30am) . I wanted to see if the picture could be improved. Photo labeled ORG is the orginal and the second is my attempt. I notice on the Histograms of the org that there is a lot of peaking going on in each color and in the improved the peaking is limited to one peak per color. Does that make any sence to you?

Feel free and please do try to work some magic on this photo.

Here is my try at fixing your bird.

WxGuesser Loc: Portland OR

English_Wolf wrote:

I am seeing several problems here. The first one comes from the camera that uses a digital zoom and, as a result, there are no details worth saving.

It didn't take very long after purchasing my first bridge camera to discover that digital zoom was a BAD idea. Since then the first thing I have done if getting a new camera is to go into the settings and turn off the digital zoom so that I cannot use it even accidentally. What it does is up-sample like editing software but without any of the control.