Nite Xmas Lites
Dec 7, 2015 13:46:51 #
New to night photography. Comments +/- welcome.
Lumix G5, some pp, tripod, Tom
Lumix G5, some pp, tripod, Tom
Dec 7, 2015 13:54:00 #
Good job, Tom!
#1 - a lot of fun; this one made me smile. I might crop out the lights on the right side, really keep our eye on the characters.
#2 - I feel like it's snowing green and red; delightful! While the garage door is not a strong point of interest, the overall effect is sweet. Did you shoot through glass; are the green and red dots reflections?
#3 - The composition is very appealing to me; I love the contrast of the black on the side. Could possibly lighten the snowman's face just a bit.
#1 - a lot of fun; this one made me smile. I might crop out the lights on the right side, really keep our eye on the characters.
#2 - I feel like it's snowing green and red; delightful! While the garage door is not a strong point of interest, the overall effect is sweet. Did you shoot through glass; are the green and red dots reflections?
#3 - The composition is very appealing to me; I love the contrast of the black on the side. Could possibly lighten the snowman's face just a bit.
Dec 7, 2015 13:58:17 #
Frank2013
Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.
tomvanb wrote:
New to night photography. Comments +/- welcome.
Lumix G5, some pp, tripod, Tom
Lumix G5, some pp, tripod, Tom
All descent shots Tom but all have blown highlights which can be managed in PP.
Dec 7, 2015 14:49:33 #
Good fun images Tom and if thats your first attempt at night shots you did well.
Dec 7, 2015 15:57:39 #
Thank you Linda, I shot 6 yards of my neighbors and I think these were the best. I went back and forth abt. cropping the lights on the right side of #1. #2 not through glass, they have a laser projector called 'Star Shower', stick it in the ground and turn it on instant decorations, I may get one for next year. #3 I tried working on the snowman but can you do just snowman without effecting the other lights? Tom
Dec 7, 2015 16:00:23 #
Thank you Frank, when I tried to dim the lights the rest of the image seemed to dark. Can just lights be dimed? Tom
Dec 7, 2015 16:04:07 #
Thanks Billy, counting bracketing and repositioning I shot 33 images for 6 yards, Tom
Dec 7, 2015 16:28:50 #
tomvanb wrote:
Thank you Linda, I shot 6 yards of my neighbors and I think these were the best. I went back and forth abt. cropping the lights on the right side of #1. #2 not through glass, they have a laser projector called 'Star Shower', stick it in the ground and turn it on instant decorations, I may get one for next year. #3 I tried working on the snowman but can you do just snowman without effecting the other lights? Tom
#1 - always should be what you like best!
#2 - that sounds just too cool for words :)
#3 - see below. There are editing programs that allow you to make selective edits. Usually there are several ways: a selection tool to pick which item you want to edit, a dodge and burn tool - paintbrush to lighten/darken, with control over how much, and adding a layer to selective edit. Here is your snowman, now looks like it's also lit up :)
I'm not sure how to darken blown highlights like your other lights, and keep them natural looking. Hopefully, Frank can help. For me, most look fine - with a brightness you'd expect and maybe even want, especially where the lights are quite small. The far right-hand tree is the only one that I'd want to "fix" :)
The others do look a tiny bit blurry. Were you focusing on the snowman? What aperture?
Dec 7, 2015 16:49:41 #
Frank2013
Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.
tomvanb wrote:
Thank you Frank, when I tried to dim the lights the rest of the image seemed to dark. Can just lights be dimed? Tom
Don't know what software you use but try lowering the highlight or whites. If you have to you can mask.
Dec 7, 2015 17:10:18 #
Hi Linda, these were f/8 auto focus. I used the pp program that came with the camera. I have Pecasa 3 and photo gallery. I just don't know to mask or change the snowman. Thank you, Tom
Dec 7, 2015 17:15:24 #
Hi Frank, I used Silkypix that came with the camera. I also have photo gallery and Picasa 3. Don't know how to mask, thank you for your help, Tom
Dec 7, 2015 17:19:28 #
tomvanb wrote:
Hi Linda, these were f/8 auto focus. I used the pp program that came with the camera. I have Pecasa 3 and photo gallery. I just don't know to mask or change the snowman. Thank you, Tom
Those programs don't have that option. I don't know if GIMP does, a free program I've seen recommended quite often. However, I've also read there is a bit of a learning curve.
I use Photoshop Elements, which I love. There are separate sections for quick, guided and expert, so you never have to feel overwhelmed by all the "features" in front of you.
Learning layers and layer masks was a bit frustrating for me, at first, but I'm glad I stuck with it as there is soooo much you can do! All this discussion hinges on whether you are interested in taking the next step, and if you have the time :)
Dec 7, 2015 17:59:38 #
Tom Just a thought but if you camera has HDR built in then try that. The camera will take a normal shot and hopefully an underexposed one and merge them in the camera to give you one image with the light more under control. Consult camera manual for HDR or Auto HDR or bracketing.
I just downloaded the manual for your camera and it will take HDR with three images so try that with your tripod.
I just downloaded the manual for your camera and it will take HDR with three images so try that with your tripod.
Dec 8, 2015 10:58:24 #
Thanks Linda, my b'day is coming up after Christmas, I will put pse on the list. Not to bore you I did a bit more on the xmas lites starting new from raw, these are my final, I'm getting bored with them, Tom
Dec 8, 2015 11:06:28 #
Hi Billy, I hadn't given HDR any thought or even looked into what it is. I'm still learning how to release the shutter :), I may try it next time I use the tripod. I thank you for your effort, Tom
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