trip picture and need suggestions for editing: Our recent trip to Scotland was a present for my husband who is a Presbyterian pastor. I want to print and frame a reminder of the trip.

enjoyinglife Loc: Texas

Our recent trip to Scotland was a present for my husband who is a Presbyterian pastor. I want to print and frame a reminder of the trip. I have PSed this picture (added blue sky and enhanced the contrast) but this is new for me. What else do I need to do to improve?

dllphoto Loc: Pa.

nice maybe a frame around it may help..

jdtx Loc: SA, Tx.

a levels boost I think would help, or curves whichever you get the best results from

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

Wow, what a photo to practice an OOB ( out of bounds ) on. Wish I could find a program to work with that is easy for that effect.

Sarge

MtnMan Loc: ID

Very nice composition.

Although I generally like blue skys I'm not sure it adds in this case. A foreboding gray sky might go better. Or maybe a sunset. I have one I'll try on it.

I feel it needs to have the cross "pop" more. Increased brightness, sharpening, and maybe contrast of cross and maybe blurring the background could help. Probably should have darkened background while cross was selected to go better with sky, too.

Selection is crude on example...just to share some thoughts.

enjoyinglife wrote:

Our recent trip to Scotland was a present for my husband who is a Presbyterian pastor. I want to print and frame a reminder of the trip. I have PSed this picture (added blue sky and enhanced the contrast) but this is new for me. What else do I need to do to improve?

One take

enjoyinglife Loc: Texas

Great ideas! I really like the idea of foreboding skies although I think the sample is a bit much. I do want it to reflect somewhat how it looked when we were there. On the original photo the skies was just gray and I replaced the sky. Maybe I should do the same but a stormy day. . .

Unfortunately our weather in Texas has not been cooperating. Either blue skies or gloomy gray skies.

HEART Loc: God's Country - COLORADO

MtnMan wrote:

Very nice composition. br br Although I generally... (show quote)

Nice!!! That sky really makes it. Good edit.

MtnMan Loc: ID

I agree it kind of dominates and you don't want that. It just happend to be be hanging out in my "Skys" keyword tag.

You may find some on the Internet that you can download...at least to try out. I don't have any gloomy ones yet cause I hadn't thought of it before.

Another thing you can try if you find a good one is the lighting effects in Elements. I'm still experimenting with them...takes some fiddling.

enjoyinglife wrote:

Great ideas! I really like the idea of foreboding skies although I think the sample is a bit much. I do want it to reflect somewhat how it looked when we were there. On the original photo the skies was just gray and I replaced the sky. Maybe I should do the same but a stormy day. . .

Unfortunately our weather in Texas has not been cooperating. Either blue skies or gloomy gray skies.

enjoyinglife Loc: Texas

Still not the skies that I want but what about the blur. Is that better?

MtnMan Loc: ID

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I see you also increased contrast and sharpness of the cross. It really "pops" now. Almost a 3D effect. Nice.

enjoyinglife wrote:

Still not the skies that I want but what about the blur. Is that better?

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

enjoyinglife wrote:

Great ideas! I really like the idea of foreboding skies although I think the sample is a bit much. I do want it to reflect somewhat how it looked when we were there. On the original photo the skies was just gray and I replaced the sky. Maybe I should do the same but a stormy day. . .

Unfortunately our weather in Texas has not been cooperating. Either blue skies or gloomy gray skies.

I did one for you...I hope you don't mind.

I used Lightroom 4 to:

1.) Add red to the lower portion of the sky
2.) Lower the exposure of the sky and grass and hill.
3.) Add a vignette to the whole shot
4.) Raise the exposure on the cross just slightly
5.) Raise the black levels
6.) Raise the contrast.

enjoyinglife Loc: Texas

thank you! I am a beginning photographer but even more a novice at editing. Trying to learn both and not sure which is more confusing.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Nice!

Now it looks like it needs a bit of straightening. I didn't notice that before.

I am also wondering about cropping out some or all the foreground up to the base? Or trying a portrait 6x4 that comes to the bottom of the base, and maybe gives less sky and horizontal?

rpavich wrote:

I did one for you...I hope you don't mind.

I used Lightroom 4 to

enjoyinglife Loc: Texas

I noticed the straightening also. That I know how to do! I plan to print a 8x10 so I can crop some of the foreground.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Here's the latest with what I was suggesting. Oops, may have over-straghtened. It would print 8 x 12, which our Costco does also.

I must say I'm liking this result. It really highlights your subject while presenting it in its environment with a sense of drama.

BTW I put the middle of the cross member on the 1/3 line. You could try moving the line to the bottom of the cross member which would reduce a little more sky.

enjoyinglife wrote:

I noticed the straightening also. That I know how to do! I plan to print a 8x10 so I can crop some of the foreground.