The Photo Editing Thread

[Avetiso]

So, since I've started using a DSLR and getting used to it, I also started to do some slight editing to my pictures. I know we have a lot of great photographers here, so I would like to dedicate this thread to help anyone who is editing pictures get a little better (or a lot better, for me).

The general idea is: Post the unedited picture, and the edited one. Other people can come along and critique or praise what you did, give pointers, advice, etc.

I'll go first: Feel free to critique.

Original:
http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t662/Avetiso/OB%20ZHP/PICT0002_zps0a673d40.jpg (http://s1319.photobucket.com/user/Avetiso/media/OB%20ZHP/PICT0002_zps0a673d40.jpg.html)

Edited:
http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t662/Avetiso/OB%20ZHP/PICT0002edited_zps9a5619e8.jpg (http://s1319.photobucket.com/user/Avetiso/media/OB%20ZHP/PICT0002edited_zps9a5619e8.jpg.html)

I evened out the light at little, lowered the highlights at the top, and changed some of the color vibrancy and sharpness.

For some reason, any sort of edit to a photo makes it feel weird to me. Is that normal?

[johnrando]

Would you be OK if I moved this to the Photo/video section of our forum?

[Avetiso]

Would you be OK if I moved this to the Photo/video section of our forum?
Sure. Wasn't sure where it should go.

[danewilson77]

Would you be OK if I moved this to the Photo/video section of our forum?

Good call JR.

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[wsmeyer]

Editing pictures is very subjective. When I looked at the picture the things I thought were the coolest were the water droplets, the pebbled ground, and just the overall Fall feel to it - cold and damp.

Here's my quick try at highlighting those features with the Adjustments panel in PS:

11140

[3ZHP]

Great thread! Me personally, I'm addicted to Adobe Lightroom and seldom post a shot without post processing.

Before

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/Fall%202013/20130928_LateSeptmberBackRoads_0028_Raw1of1.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/Fall%202013/20130928_LateSeptmberBackRoads_0028_Raw1of1.jpg.ht ml)

After

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/Fall%202013/20130928_LateSeptmberBackRoads_0028.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/Fall%202013/20130928_LateSeptmberBackRoads_0028.jpg.html)

[Avetiso]

Thanks, Will! I was afraid of going too dark, but that looks great.

Guy, I also use Lightroom. It's great!

[Avetiso]

Another picture I did today.

Before:
http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t662/Avetiso/OB%20ZHP/PICT0006_zps20a0bf3d.jpg (http://s1319.photobucket.com/user/Avetiso/media/OB%20ZHP/PICT0006_zps20a0bf3d.jpg.html)

After:
http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t662/Avetiso/OB%20ZHP/PICT0006_zpsd8a4f05e.jpg (http://s1319.photobucket.com/user/Avetiso/media/OB%20ZHP/PICT0006_zpsd8a4f05e.jpg.html)

Added in a little more color, brought up the light to bring out the front bumper, and some other small effects.

[danewilson77]

Looking good.

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[Tnhl1989]

Not a car related but post processing related. A friend that came up to visit. Photo captured and posted by iPhone 5s with a lifeproof case on it. Quality isn't 100% but still pretty nice.

Before
11183

After
11184

[Avetiso]

Wow, not bad, Tony! Surprised it still looks that clear with such a hefty crop from a smartphone camera.

This thread isn't just for cars! Feel free to post anything.

[danewilson77]

Looks great Tony.

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[Tnhl1989]

Here is another one.

Before
11185

After
11186

Apps used - pro hdr & snap seed

Overall amazing stuff these apps can do. In addition I have a few Hawaii photos that were taken as well however it was on the iPhone 5 and stored somewhere on my computer. I'll have to find it.

[Pip]

I like what you did Tony, but I liked the view of the lake before the photo was cropped. :thumbsup

[Pip]

Another picture I did today.

Before:
http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t662/Avetiso/OB%20ZHP/PICT0006_zps20a0bf3d.jpg (http://s1319.photobucket.com/user/Avetiso/media/OB%20ZHP/PICT0006_zps20a0bf3d.jpg.html)

After:
http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t662/Avetiso/OB%20ZHP/PICT0006_zpsd8a4f05e.jpg (http://s1319.photobucket.com/user/Avetiso/media/OB%20ZHP/PICT0006_zpsd8a4f05e.jpg.html)

Added in a little more color, brought up the light to bring out the front bumper, and some other small effects.

Such a small change but brings out the blue and really adds to the photo. I feel like I can see all the detail now.

[ELCID86]

In case it hasn't been posted here. http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/09/04/adobe-introduces-cheaper-creative-cloud-with-photoshop-and-lightroom
Creative Cloud with Photoshop & Lightroom for $10/mo.

[UdubBadger]

Great thread! Me personally, I'm addicted to Adobe Lightroom and seldom post a shot without post processing.

Before

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/Fall%202013/20130928_LateSeptmberBackRoads_0028_Raw1of1.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/Fall%202013/20130928_LateSeptmberBackRoads_0028_Raw1of1.jpg.ht ml)

After

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/Fall%202013/20130928_LateSeptmberBackRoads_0028.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/Fall%202013/20130928_LateSeptmberBackRoads_0028.jpg.html)

Background is great but I would selectively adjust the car to be a lot brighter. Let it pop.


Goin' HAM mobile

[UdubBadger]

I will fully weigh in after work. My wife stole my MBP and I'm upgrading to a new one but it's back ordered from Fruit so I only have an iMac at home.


Lots of info to share for everyone.
:)


Goin' HAM mobile

[Avetiso]

I will fully weigh in after work. My wife stole my MBP and I'm upgrading to a new one but it's back ordered from Fruit so I only have an iMac at home.


Lots of info to share for everyone.
:)


Goin' HAM mobile
Bump.

[UdubBadger]

Bump all you want but that info is on a different website now ;)


Goin' HAM mobile

[Pip]

Bump all you want but that info is on a different website now ;)


Goin' HAM mobile

What site?

[UdubBadger]

Clear it with Dane/KG that I say, or check my fbook/Instagram or LinkedIn


Goin' HAM mobile

[Pip]

Clear it with Dane/KG that I say, or check my fbook/Instagram or LinkedIn


Goin' HAM mobile

I figured since I saw the LinkedIn update, but didn't know for sure.

Congrats!

[UdubBadger]

;)


Goin' HAM mobile

[Avetiso]

Bump. Thoughts? Suggestions?

Original:

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t662/Avetiso/Shamelessly%20Dirty/PICT0109_zps40f8375d.jpg (http://s1319.photobucket.com/user/Avetiso/media/Shamelessly%20Dirty/PICT0109_zps40f8375d.jpg.html)

Edited:

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t662/Avetiso/Shamelessly%20Dirty/PICT0109_zpsb03b833a.jpg (http://s1319.photobucket.com/user/Avetiso/media/Shamelessly%20Dirty/PICT0109_zpsb03b833a.jpg.html)

[ELCID86]

Better. Can you edit out the light poles coming out of the car?

[Avetiso]

Better. Can you edit out the light poles coming out of the car?
I suppose I could. Didn't really think of that.

[SoDelBMW]

Bump. Thoughts? Suggestions?

Original:

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t662/Avetiso/Shamelessly%20Dirty/PICT0109_zps40f8375d.jpg (http://s1319.photobucket.com/user/Avetiso/media/Shamelessly%20Dirty/PICT0109_zps40f8375d.jpg.html)

Edited:

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t662/Avetiso/Shamelessly%20Dirty/PICT0109_zpsb03b833a.jpg (http://s1319.photobucket.com/user/Avetiso/media/Shamelessly%20Dirty/PICT0109_zpsb03b833a.jpg.html)

I like the work Dario keep em coming! I'll have to start contributing too

[UdubBadger]

Good, I'd suggest trying to expose for the front of the car instead of the overall scene.

Car is really dark so not as easy to get away with it being under exposed as a silver or white car would be able to.

Goin' HAM mobile

[HockeyGoon]

My first try , I just did it on my phone not being serious about editing yet.
Before
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/03/ytasy9a6.jpg
After
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/03/ta5ugate.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/03/3a9apuza.jpg

[UdubBadger]

Had some fun playing in photoshop.

12614

[ELCID86]

My first try , I just did it on my phone not being serious about editing yet.
Before

Good start. Have fun with it. I'd suggest shooting the other way or finding a different background (trucks and building).

Had some fun playing in photoshop.


Nice work Seth.

[Avetiso]

Had some fun playing in photoshop.

12614

I'm drooling over my own car, for once. Thanks for the advice, Seth! Still getting used to it. I'm using Lightroom.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[Avetiso]

Had some fun playing in photoshop.

12614
Seth, are these artificial lights only available in PS? Can I do it in Lightroom?

Used it as a new sig, btw. Thanks!

[UdubBadger]

Ya It's a ps extra


Goin' HAM mobile

[ELCID86]

Ya It's a ps extra




No LR plug ins?

[UdubBadger]

Not for that one no. LR is pretty limited


Goin' HAM mobile

[wertyu78]

1263512636

Oh oh. Seth will you work your magic on mine?!


Sent from my iPhone

[UdubBadger]

Lol no but I'll tell you how to do it if you're inclined to learn and invest in the programs.

If not you'll have to hire me to come out and shoot it myself ;)


Goin' HAM mobile

[wertyu78]

12640

One day!


Sent from my iPhone

[danewilson77]

Lol no but I'll tell you how to do it if you're inclined to learn and invest in the programs.

If not you'll have to hire me to come out and shoot it myself ;)


Goin' HAM mobile

Nice.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[UdubBadger]

12640

One day!


Sent from my iPhone

Hahaha. No sad.


Goin' HAM mobile

[PirateZHP]

This was my online editing attempt...

Edit: Was editing to make a sig... guess I could have done better with regular editing...

[ELCID86]

nice job

[UdubBadger]

So I want to throw this up here so you guys can maybe take away something from it. I went through 4 years of art school to become a photographer and these are a few tips/trick I've learned that if like to share about a specific photo. I'm gonna pick on Guy here a little bit, not because I'm trying to be mean but because I think it's a common issue that a lot of you guys starting out run into.

Why are my photos so dark?

Let me also just say a dark photo, and an underexposed photo are two different things. Dark means there is a lot of black and close to black tone in the photo. Underexposed means your values are too low, there aren't clear highlights and midtones present.

So here is the shot.
13068

For this purpose I am going to just convert it into B&W because it'll be a little easier to explain.

13069

So you have all this "information" in the form of lights and darks being perceived by the eyes and brain to make up this photo and you get either what appears to be a light photo or a dark photo. Obviously it's optimal to have a close to 50/50 mix between both and then move from there in an artistic fashion.

So now lets put this into a 2 diminutional form to really break this down. Something is either light or its dark when this is done, there is no middle ground. By making a light sketch of whats considered dark and what is light, we see how our light balance of the photo comes out.

Here is a simple 2 level posterization of the photo and info either being read as light or dark.
13070

As you can see, the light is almost non existent so we can conclude this photo is too dark Think of this not in BRIGHTNESS, but in dark being too much dark color information in one frame. The sky in the original looks decently exposed which is likely what Guy was going for, but the rest of it has little to no information in it to balance out the photo. It was underexposed for a reason but also I don't believe Guy's subject was the sky (because why park your car in front of your photo if the sky is your focus?). The car is so far underexposed it can't be brought back. However as you can see when we retone the image to contain more parts on the "light" spectrum, it changes a lot of what we perceive.

Photoshop retoned original in B&W
13071

Light sketch
13072

So now you can see we have a lot more light information and regardless of the toning of the photo and how you want to arrange your mid tones to look, it's much more balanced.

So what can be done to combat this in a similar setting as what Guy was aiming for? A few things actually.

1. Bump up your ISO as the sun goes down. Your other settings can stay the same but every few minutes kicking up from 100-200, 200-400, 400-800 is giving you an extra stop of lighting to work with.
2. If shooting in brighter sun, use a circular polarizing filter on your lens. This will bring back the deep blue color in the sky but still let in enough light onto your subject (the car) to properly expose it in 1 shot.
3. Take 2 differently exposed shots and put them together in Photoshop. Pretty basic if you know how to use the layer masks. Another way with a single shot is to just expose for the subject (car) and then let the sky be overexposed. Then in LR or PS you simply just darken the sky up using the brush in LR or by making a multiply layer in PS and masking everything but the sky so you show the best of both layers.

This is way more than I wanted to share for this so have at it.

[Avetiso]

Thanks for the write up, Seth! I always have the sky overexposed.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[danewilson77]

So I want to throw this up here so you guys can maybe take away something from it and I'm gonna pick on Guy here a little bit, not because I'm trying to be mean but because I think it's a common issue that a lot of you guys starting out run into.

Why are my photos so dark?

So here is the shot.
13068

For this purpose I am going to just convert it into B&W because it'll be a little easier to explain.

13069

So you have all this "information" in the form of lights and darks being perceived by the eyes and brain to make up this photo and you get either what appears to be a light photo or a dark photo. Obviously it's optimal to have a close to 50/50 mix between both and then move from there in an artistic fashion.

So now lets put this into a 2 diminutional form to really break this down. Something is either light or its dark when this is done, there is no middle ground. By making a light sketch of whats considered dark and what is light, we see how our light balance of the photo comes out.

Here is a simple 2 level posterization of the photo and info either being read as light or dark.
13070

As you can see, the light is almost non existent so we can conclude this photo is too dark Think of this not in BRIGHTNESS, but in dark being too much dark color information in one frame. The sky in the original looks decently exposed which is likely what Guy was going for, but the rest of it has little to no information in it to balance out the photo. It was underexposed for a reason but also I don't believe Guy's subject was the sky (because why park your car in front of your photo if the sky is your focus?). The car is so far underexposed it can't be brought back. However as you can see when we retone the image to contain more parts on the "light" spectrum, it changes a lot of what we perceive.

Photoshop retoned original in B&W
13071

Light sketch
13072

So now you can see we have a lot more light information and regardless of the toning of the photo and how you want to arrange your mid tones to look, it's much more balanced.

So what can be done to combat this in a similar setting as what Guy was aiming for? A few things actually.

1. Bump up your ISO as the sun goes down. Your other settings can stay the same but every few minutes kicking up from 100-200, 200-400, 400-800 is giving you an extra stop of lighting to work with.
2. If shooting in brighter sun, use a circular polarizing filter on your lens. This will bring back the deep blue color in the sky but still let in enough light onto your subject (the car) to properly expose it in 1 shot.
3. Take 2 differently exposed shots and put them together in Photoshop. Pretty basic if you know how to use the layer masks. Another way with a single shot is to just expose for the subject (car) and then let the sky be overexposed. Then in LR or PS you simply just darken the sky up using the brush in LR or by making a multiply layer in PS and masking everything but the sky so you show the best of both layers.

This is way more than I wanted to share for this so have at it.

*know

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[johnrando]

Great tips Seth.

[3ZHP]

Seth great tips, thank you. I've included the full series in sequential order below. I was experimenting with different Fstops and exposures trying to get the best out of the camera before post processing. I was very happy with the completed set and how the water reflection continued into the car as well as some of the tree branch reflections. Yes, I could have lightened up the one I posted but, my center of attention was the orange sky.

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0075.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0075.jpg.html)

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0073.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0073.jpg.html)

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0078.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0078.jpg.html)

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0077.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0077.jpg.html)

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0076.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0076.jpg.html)

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0079.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0079.jpg.html)

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0086.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0086.jpg.html)

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0085.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0085.jpg.html)

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0084.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0084.jpg.html)

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0081.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0081.jpg.html)

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0083.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0083.jpg.html)

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0088.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0088.jpg.html)

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0089.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0089.jpg.html)

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0090.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0090.jpg.html)

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0095.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0095.jpg.html)

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0096-1.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0096-1.jpg.html)

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0098.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0098.jpg.html)

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0097.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0097.jpg.html)

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0099.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/20140318_3ZHP_FireLakeSunSet_0099.jpg.html)

[UdubBadger]

I guess then my question to you is if the subject was the sky why park your car in front of it and cause distraction?

If you were trying to incorporate reflections in the car of the sky/water you'd need to rearrange everything for proper reflections of those.


Goin' HAM mobile

[UdubBadger]

And as always these are just questions to help you find some clarity and direction in your approach, not to put down.


Goin' HAM mobile

[Avetiso]

Original:

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t662/Avetiso/Nature/PICT0150_zps78feaa86.jpg (http://s1319.photobucket.com/user/Avetiso/media/Nature/PICT0150_zps78feaa86.jpg.html)

Edited:

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t662/Avetiso/Nature/PICT0150_zps899bf504.jpg (http://s1319.photobucket.com/user/Avetiso/media/Nature/PICT0150_zps899bf504.jpg.html)

[Avetiso]

I know the photo looks crooked, but it is actually straight. It just looks that way from my veranda. Can't really explain it.

[danewilson77]

Looks good Dario.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Pip]

Can't believe you got the vibrant greens to pop from the first pic. Looks great!

[Avetiso]

Looks good Dario.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Thanks!

Can't believe you got the vibrant greens to pop from the first pic. Looks great!
Me either. As soon as I bumped my shadows, it appeared perfectly.

Thanks!


Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[UdubBadger]

Cool Dario!
I will have a few tips on horizons and ratios later on


Goin' HAM mobile

[ELCID86]

Beauty. I'd say some top cropping (rule of thirds) might help. Perhaps the terrain is sloped?


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[MiniD]

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7365/13511085705_540b49cac7_c.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7420/13511425424_60a1909baf_c.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3708/13511172673_854fee858b_c.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7210/13511420554_712b29408d_c.jpg

[UdubBadger]

What is this?


Goin' HAM mobile

[MiniD]

What is this?


Goin' HAM mobile

Posted up before and afters. Sorry if that doesn't fit this thread.

[UdubBadger]

No it does but maybe explain more what the photos are from and what you edited. I can see the subtle differences but maybe others can't.


Goin' HAM mobile

[UdubBadger]

So Dane did your wife think I passed the test?


Goin' HAM mobile

[danewilson77]

So Dane did your wife think I passed the test?


Goin' HAM mobile

You're her favorite person in IL.

[UdubBadger]

Rofl, so I beat out Coach Ditka?


Goin' HAM mobile

[danewilson77]

Rofl, so I beat out Coach Ditka?


Goin' HAM mobile

She doesn't know who that is. :shifty

[UdubBadger]

Lol


Goin' HAM mobile

[danewilson77]

Hey man, I'd take it if I were you.

[UdubBadger]

:)


Goin' HAM mobile