I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.
Sep 30, 2022 23:21:35 #
Patsworld
Loc: Idaho
I just don’t seem to understand why my pictures lack that special something. Please critique. Thanks in advance.
Sep 30, 2022 23:27:15 #
Patsworld wrote:
I just don’t seem to understand why my pictures lack that special something. Please critique. Thanks in advance.
What type of post processing do you do right now? Do you shoot in JPEG or RAW?
Sep 30, 2022 23:31:21 #
What do you mean by that special something? Was it an overcast day? It's really not a bad looking photo. Nobody can really comment, we don't know what settings you used!
Sep 30, 2022 23:37:10 #
13
Loc: I am only responsible to what I say..not what
Patsworld wrote:
I just don’t seem to understand why my pictures lack that special something. Please critique. Thanks in advance.
How is this?
Oct 1, 2022 00:34:18 #
Patsworld
Loc: Idaho
I shoot raw. I am having issues with my composition. It seems as though I can’t get it right. When I saw the bridge, it intrigued me but I don’t know how to make it interesting in the picture.
Oct 1, 2022 00:43:34 #
Patsworld
Loc: Idaho
The bridge is my focal point. It was an overcast day but I liked the moodiness. When I try to translate these two ideas, the picture is boring.
Oct 1, 2022 00:54:09 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
How is this?
First thing I did was straighten the image. To do this without putting the boat to close to the edge I had to clone a little in the lower right corner.
Then I added some overall contrast and boosted saturation a little.
Next I selected only the sky and applied a warming filter effect to it, trying to make it better match the reflection in the water. I'm not really satisfied with this. The coloration is still a little different and the yellow area on the left is too bright. I'd try to reduce that, too. But it will take some extra work.
Then I sharpened the entire image. This is smaller image, lower resolution than I usually sharpen so I had to really dial it back a lot.
Finally I did a little burning in of the shadows in the skyline to bring out a bit more detail in the more distant buildings.
First thing I did was straighten the image. To do this without putting the boat to close to the edge I had to clone a little in the lower right corner.
Then I added some overall contrast and boosted saturation a little.
Next I selected only the sky and applied a warming filter effect to it, trying to make it better match the reflection in the water. I'm not really satisfied with this. The coloration is still a little different and the yellow area on the left is too bright. I'd try to reduce that, too. But it will take some extra work.
Then I sharpened the entire image. This is smaller image, lower resolution than I usually sharpen so I had to really dial it back a lot.
Finally I did a little burning in of the shadows in the skyline to bring out a bit more detail in the more distant buildings.
Oct 1, 2022 01:05:54 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
By the way, I also think it looks pretty good in black & white or as a sepia toned image...
Oct 1, 2022 03:19:53 #
Oct 1, 2022 05:38:59 #
Patsworld wrote:
I just don’t seem to understand why my pictures lack that special something. Please critique. Thanks in advance.
If I were you I'd give JPGs a try.
A few years ago I won Panasonic Photo of the week with a JPG.
IMHO the latest camera tech (IA mode) can do better than 90% of photographers.
Attached is my suggestion - with out help from photoshop.
Good luck.
Oct 1, 2022 05:48:00 #
Patsworld wrote:
I just don’t seem to understand why my pictures lack that special something. Please critique. Thanks in advance.
Just a quick brighten up in Picasa.
Oct 1, 2022 06:35:53 #
Patsworld wrote:
I just don’t seem to understand why my pictures lack that special something. Please critique. Thanks in advance.
That really looks great.
Not sure what is lacking.
Colors are looking realistic and not over cooked or artificial.
Again a beautiful shot and presentation.
Nothing wrong with the way it looks.
Oct 1, 2022 06:42:33 #
Looking flat on is generally not very dynamic. I would have walked to the left of the bridge to have it starting in the left corner, but with a converging diagonal perspective that had the bridge in the foreground but which led the eye to the dome on the right. You could then wait until an interesting boat passed in the foreground, or was just under the bridge
Oct 1, 2022 06:48:55 #
Bigmike1
Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.
I long for the old days of film when there wasn't a whole lot you could do with a photo. You took what you got. Now with all of the post processing programs everyone messes with the photos and are never satisfied.
Oct 1, 2022 08:28:33 #
Patsworld wrote:
In my opinion, your subject is lost in the background. I am having issues with my composition. ...When I saw the bridge, it intrigued me...
I found nothing on the right side that aids your composition or stated interest. How do you feel about smplifying a little by cropping? See attached (no editing done, just crop).
Regarding editing: if you want the bridge to stand out, you could make the buildings behind it less distinct and de-saturate the color in that area, as well as lighten the bridge a bit. Selective pp is what is needed here. Your opening didn't make it clear that composition was your concern; therefore, you have a bunch of offerings that simply increase detail and vibrancy of the entire scene, further hiding the bridge in the clutter
Just a crop.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.