maren

I would appreciate some input on the first shot that I have done some post processing on. I had entered it my camera club, and was told that the lighting was not good enough to place it, so I tried to improve that in lightroom. Was shot with Nikon D80 along with kit lens Nikkor AF-S DX-18-135---f/3.5-5.6. shot at 200 iso,135 mm, f/5.6 at 1/125. History of changes is sharpening 106, light tones 4 and the luminescence ( right word?) (the noise reduction slider I believe) set to 59. This is the outcome I achieved? Thank you for any time and opinions. Don't want sweet talking.

Rickyb

It is good shot. My preference is heavy color. I use NIK Viz2 a lot. I would lower opacity of rocks increase structure of water and bring down brightness of water. Also bring up brightness and structure of bird on right. Structure increase of bird on left slightly.

crafterwantabe Loc: Mn

Looks really good

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Post processing section anyone?

Please read the requirement for this section.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Hi, I think what the camera club people or person may have been saying is that you might have achieved a more pleasing shot had you taken the shot at a different time of day, such as early morning or late afternoon/early evening. The light during these times of day is very soft and generally pleasing to the eye. You cannot create this type of light using Lightroom, although, having said that, there are programs that do add or change lighting. There are many good books on natural lighting conditions that might help you. It's good that you got up close to the geese, oftentimes people take a shot from too far away to create an interesting photo. It's really hard for me to see what you did in post since I have nothing to compare the edited photo to. You might also try to lighten the image up a bit, too, as the black in the birds make it harder to see their faces, which is the most important part generally speaking. Also, the image looks a bit bluish in tone? Perhaps play with the white balance a bit. Just my thoughts.

maren

Thank you for your time. I like your suggestions. I wasn't sure what to do with those rocks. I will see what I can do with that. Thanks rickyb

maren

Thank you crafterwantabe.

maren

I seen that a post processing section was available, and I searched and could find no section titled that. I will look again or put in a question to UHH.

maren

Thank you via the lens, It was bright afternoon when I shot the photo, but I waited a long time to get the two together like that. I also could not figure out how to post the before and after photos as I viewed them in lightroom. I need to learn how to do that also. I am also learning that a person would benefit greatly buy studying lighting before doing a lot of shooting. I am finding all I can about that also. I do have photoshop cc, and have seen some tutorials about lighting possibilities in that program. Your right, their faces are where your eyes go to. Will try to diminish the blue a little. I appreciate you taking your time to respond. Maren