Edit vs Unedited: Hello there. I have been messing around with an abstraction I took a few days ago. I keep playing around with it in PS but now Im starting to wonder if Im adding or...

Suzanne Caris Loc: Noneya, USA

Hello there. I have been messing around with an abstraction I took a few days ago. I keep playing around with it in PS but now Im starting to wonder if Im adding or detracting from the visual standpoint. If you have time please let me know your opinion on the over edited vs under edited version and if the image is visually stimulating to you as well. I think it is interesting but Im also curious if others feel the same. Thanks for your time.

Unedited

(Download)

therwol Loc: USA

Suzanne Caris wrote:

Hello there. I have been messing around with an abstraction I took a few days ago. I keep playing around with it in PS but now Im starting to wonder if Im adding or detracting from the visual standpoint. If you have time please let me know your opinion on the over edited vs under edited version and if the image is visually stimulating to you as well. I think it is interesting but Im also curious if others feel the same. Thanks for your time.

Are you manipulating the photo to an end point you see in your mind or hoping to please others? I would hope it would be for your art. How do you want this to look for you? Are there really any rules that you have to follow? As for how I view these two photos, depending on setting, lighting and surroundings, one or the other might be preferred on display. On my screen, the brighter one with more color gets my attention first. Is it better? That would subjective.

PoppieJ Loc: North Georgia

This really depends on what you are trying to accomplish. I too like the lighter one but that just might be because our eye goes to the light.

Suzanne Caris Loc: Noneya, USA

therwol wrote:

Are you manipulating the photo to an end point you see in your mind or hoping to please others? I would hope it would be for your art. How do you want this to look for you? Are there really any rules that you have to follow? As for how I view these two photos, depending on setting, lighting and surroundings, one or the other might be preferred on display. On my screen, the brighter one with more color gets my attention first. Is it better? That would subjective.

The question about manipulation stems from HDR images. A well executed HDR can be breathtaking but many photographers start out pushing past the point of gaudy before they settle into a more visually pleasing rendition. I found myself questioning that issue with this image. How far is too far.
To be quite honest it does matter some how others feel about your art, although understandably it is not the end all be all. Similar to the HDR. If noone pushed the image too far and no one gave feedback that it was pushed too far there may not be as many beautiful HDR shots floating around today.

What I enjoy about this image is how otherworldly it feels to me. Getting lost in little imaginary worlds is fun for me. I highly doubt it will be on display anywhere but who knows it may just be a wonderful learning experience that I could carry on to a project that may be displayed someday. Wild things can happen. :)

Suzanne Caris Loc: Noneya, USA

PoppieJ wrote:

This really depends on what you are trying to accomplish. I too like the lighter one but that just might be because our eye goes to the light.

Thanks. I felt the same way then I started questioning if looking at the light took focus away from the mystery. I enjoy weird abstracts that lead me to my imagination. That's how this image came to be. I set out to take pictures of cups and before I knew it I was diving headfirst into an abstract shot.

There really isn't anything I was attempting to accomplish, it was just something I was playing with to pass time. As I was messing around I got to thinking about what I was looking at, if it was interesting to others or if I was just really bored. UHH is a great place to roll around ideas so I figured Id start a conversation.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Hi- I like the brightness of the 2nd image however I don't care for the blue, bright tones that show up on my computer in the background. Perhaps if you kept the same tones in the background in the original and combined with the the brightness of the manipulated one? I like abstracted images and slow motion blurred images. I have been working on getting a flock of birds intentionally out of focus to look "right". And like others have said don't depend too much on our opinions.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

If you were going for a more visually stimulating image, you nailed it. Beautifully done.

KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

Suzanne Caris wrote:

Hello there. I have been messing around with an abstraction I took a few days ago. I keep playing around with it in PS but now Im starting to wonder if Im adding or detracting from the visual standpoint. If you have time please let me know your opinion on the over edited vs under edited version and if the image is visually stimulating to you as well. I think it is interesting but Im also curious if others feel the same. Thanks for your time.

HI Suzanne, I actually like both, but it peaked my curiosity, what is it an image of?

Suzanne Caris Loc: Noneya, USA

suntouched wrote:

Hi- I like the brightness of the 2nd image however I don't care for the blue, bright tones that show up on my computer in the background. Perhaps if you kept the same tones in the background in the original and combined with the the brightness of the manipulated one? I like abstracted images and slow motion blurred images. I have been working on getting a flock of birds intentionally out of focus to look "right". And like others have said don't depend too much on our opinions.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give it a whirl and see what happens.

That is a tough image. I tried something I believe similar to what you are looking for. Spent hours on the beach chasing sea gulls. It was a nice day but not one image captured that I was looking for. I can't wait to see yours when you get the shot.

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

Suzanne Caris wrote:

Hello there. I have been messing around with an abstraction I took a few days ago. I keep playing around with it in PS but now Im starting to wonder if Im adding or detracting from the visual standpoint. If you have time please let me know your opinion on the over edited vs under edited version and if the image is visually stimulating to you as well. I think it is interesting but Im also curious if others feel the same. Thanks for your time.

Asked to choose, I prefer the second. However, neither does a thing for me - not my cup of tea!

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Suzanne Caris wrote:

Hello there. I have been messing around with an abstraction I took a few days ago. I keep playing around with it in PS but now Im starting to wonder if Im adding or detracting from the visual standpoint. If you have time please let me know your opinion on the over edited vs under edited version and if the image is visually stimulating to you as well. I think it is interesting but Im also curious if others feel the same. Thanks for your time.

I see too different moods there. One isn't necessarily better than the other. They're both good in their own ways.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Suzanne Caris wrote:

....Im starting to wonder if Im adding or detracting from the visual standpoint.....

The "visual standpoint" is whatever your vision of it is. The B&W with its misty greys says one thing, the colour version with its ethereal rainbow effect says another. "Curious" can be good but too much of "incomprehensible" can be an interest killer. Perhaps you don't have a specific vision for it, in which case just keep playing with it and save whatever versions tick the right boxes for you.

Suzanne Caris Loc: Noneya, USA

joehel2 wrote:

If you were going for a more visually stimulating image, you nailed it. Beautifully done.

Thanks so much Joe.

Suzanne Caris Loc: Noneya, USA

KindaSpikey wrote:

HI Suzanne, I actually like both, but it peaked my curiosity, what is it an image of?

Thanks. It is a picture of this cup in the sink with soap bubbles on the inside. Phone flashlight used to illuminate it a bit

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

I like the edited one better but to be honest , it really does nothing for me....other than make me wonder what imlooking at.