Raybo Loc: George Town, Grand Cayman

I'm pretty new to post processing...didn't even realize until recently what that "RAW" thing was in my cameras and why i should should use it. (Don't worry...I'm now fully converted to RAW, and actually almost always in manual mode.)

Anyway, below are a few photos from the last few years. Most of them were JPG's to start with. M4/3 Olympus on the California photos, Canon T6 with a kit EF-S 18-55 for the New England, and the T6 with a Tamron 35mm/F1.8 VC for the Cuba photos. Those were shot RAW.

I've been messing around (using ON1) with trying to get some "pop" out of them, but don't really know if I've taken things too far.

The NE stuff has been a challenge because it was almost always overcast, and my edits to the sky to try to get the blue to come out almost looks unnatural to me...

Any suggestions and positive criticism in this regard would be greatly appreciated...for either editing or composition.

Acadia Lake


Alcatraz Library


Cape Cod LH


Havana Residence


Sandwich, MA


Pigeon Point LH


Havana Storefront


NH RR Bridge

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

They look fine to me, not overdone at all.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Your Havana have a natural colorful look, but I think Acadia Lake, NH RR Bridge and Sandwich MA may have been stretched beyond the capabilities of the original file. If the skies had minimal blue to begin with, it can take a lot of pp experience - especially with a jpg - to make them look right. With Acadia and NH, there is also a sort of flat look to the light which could be your edits or just the reality.

Any time you're interested in seeing what others can do with your image, please visit us in PP Forum:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-116-1.html

Be sure to post an unedited file, large size, with the "store original" box checked so people can download to work on it.

Processing can be enjoyable and rewarding, and in whatever style you choose. Over-baked to some is four-star delectable to others And you may discover that your interests and tastes change over time as you refine your skills.

Welcome to the new world!

hassighedgehog Loc: Corona, CA

Fine to me also. I always ignore those who complain about overcooking. I live in an area and close to another one that many pictures are called overcooked when they look fine to me. Just criticized by those unfamiliar with the area who think pastel when So Cal and the Southwest are not pastel.

dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

I agree with Linda--the skies look over worked to me. Also, I think the first Havana photo would be stronger if the roof and sky were shown; as is, it seems a bit cut off.

dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

The OP asked for C&C including processing, so I'm giving my opinion regarding that. Considering that context, your term "complaining" is out of line.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I'm guessing he went off on a tangent and is referencing over-processing complainers in general, not explicitly your statement. If this is true, it could have been worded a little better to avoid the misinterpretation.

If not, have at it.

flyboy61 Loc: The Great American Desert

Acadia Lake, if anything, looked a bit underexposed, but! in tropical climes, I think you will find bright, bodacious colors as in Havana, to be prominent. Interesting set!

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

I have never been to Cuba so I can't comment but I have been to Pigeon Point literally more times than I can remember and there is nothing wrong with that picture. I am curious when it was taken

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

A belated welcome to the UHH, Raybo. Glad to have you here.

"Overbaked" calls for a judgement, and I see that the question has already caused upset and hurt feelings.

I guess the important thing is what do you see and what you are going for? I was recently doing a lot of revisiting of old images and working on them, and wondered if I was "overbaking" things. So I sent PMs to people whose judgement I respect to get their feedback. Had I posted it on a public thread, there would be pages and pages of heated arguments about "how much post processing is too much?"

Mike

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

Nice series.

Raybo Loc: George Town, Grand Cayman

October 2016, Olympus TG870, F8.5, 1/640 sec., ISO 125...a small point and shoot.

Raybo Loc: George Town, Grand Cayman

Havana was with a better lens. 35mm F1.8 prime. And taken as RAW. And I think you're right on the others. Those were among the first 100-150 clicks on that camera, so some learning going on. And light was extremely flat the whole trip to New England, but even though many of them aren't all that great, it was still a good time, will provide many memories.

And more importantly, rekindled an interest in photography. Have since expensed (as opposed to invested...I don't do it professionally) in better glass and now shooting pretty much only Raw.

Still learning...

Thanks to all for the replies

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duane klipping Loc: Bristow iowa

What do YOU think of them? Are you happy with the way they look? If you say no then open them back up and try again. Otherwise it does not matter what I or anyone else thinks about them. Shoot for you, process for you is the best advice I was given.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

For me the sky in the ocean pic is quite beautiful in this second (unedited?) version. The foliage shot has several options: enjoy as-is, crop out some of the sky, learn how to replace the sky, learn how to add a little color to sky while keeping your attention on making the pop (the impact) come with edits to the tree colors. I have Nik Collection and I know the "sunlight" filter could be fun with that one

As with most of the world it seems this past decade, photography forum discussions can be contentious. This is very sad since for most of us photography is a joyous hobby. There is no reason that folks can't offer constructive suggestions and feedback aside from ego and "I can be nasty online because I can."

Feedback is simply part of the learning process and has nothing to do with who is right or wrong. For several years now I've enjoyed hearing what others have to say about my pictures - as long as they are thoughtful and courteous in their comments. It's only the Great Truth Tellers who believe nobody is right who doesn't agree with their pov. Ignore those types as best you can. With the rest, take what you think is of value to your own interests and journey.