2016 Project 52, 1st quarter by Judith Noble (Urbanflyer)

[Urbanflyer]

In 2016 I intend to learn to use Photoshop more fully as well as to learn to use the Wacom tablet I recently won as a door prize at our local Photoshop Users Group. Some photos will be newly shot but most will be older. I find that one of my weaknesses is failing to evaluate what it is I want to convey with a photo. I was there--of course I know what it should convey--but does it really convey that to another viewer. So I intend to post the before and after versions and will look forward to learning from your comments.

fan palms--49 Palms Oasis--Joshua Tree National Park
Before



After

[Geoff F]

How do I say this, Judith?

I prefer the original, with those nice fine tips to the leaves. Maybe there is a very slight crop to be had from the top and right side but it really is a very small amount, if any.

You have a small area of serious over exposure among the leaves and cropping tighter makes that more obvious. Maybe it would be possible to tone down the problem; better still, clone out or paint over those spots, with care? That is certainly an instance where a drawing tablet will be useful.

I got my first tablet several years ago and have tried a few since then. Absolutely essential for the sort of fine tweak editing which I do. So much easier when working with layers and masks or creating close selections.

[rtbaum]

Hello Judith,

I tend to agree with Geoff on this one. If anything, I would prefer even more of the background to establish context. The other tweaks definitely do improve the image. Can we see the shot without the crop..or maybe the original file without any cropping may have even more of the background?

[Urbanflyer]

the first is the original of that shot. I have others so will look at those--thanks for your thoughts.

[pnodrog]

With a few exceptions light areas at the edge of any image should be avoided. Your edited version would be improved by burning/vignetting the edges. You could also try using a hue adjustment layer and on the yellow selection move the hue to make it greener, increase saturation a bit and darken slightly. It may not give you what you wish to achieve but will give you some options to play with in future.

[IzzieK]

I like the original version too Judith, try to look at other postings here by some members of this group...study each and everyone of them if you can a little bit longer. You will find that each has its own style, some artsy, some almost aesthetic and some with freedom of making you laugh. Then you can take your learning as a vision to interpret as you own in your own photographs.

[Shadowman]

Nice start to the challenge.

[Urbanflyer]

Since I was really looking for something that was a bit abstract and emphasized the lushness of the foilage and the warmth of the day I played with my original concept some more, burning the edges a bit, adjusting colors and opening up some of the shadows. I agree I liked the tips on the original and may play with that, but that is for another photo. Thanks for all your responses!

On to week two already!

[Wavelength]

Very nicely done

[Urbanflyer]

thank you--always learning

[bnnrcn]

Good improvement Judith

Since I was really looking for something that was a bit abstract and emphasized the lushness of the foilage and the warmth of the day I played with my original concept some more, burning the edges a bit, adjusting colors and opening up some of the shadows. I agree I liked the tips on the original and may play with that, but that is for another photo. Thanks for all your responses!

On to week two already!

[Urbanflyer]

This is my original image taken in Joshua Tree National Park.




This is my image after post processing--cropped to emphasize the curve in the rock on the right as a framing element, levels applied, saturation adjusted, some burning.



critique welcomed--How else can I learn and grow?

[pnodrog]

Cloning out the little bit of sky was a must. Well done. The only other thing you could try is a slight vignette to emphasis the tree and green plant.

[Kaye Leggett]

Hi Judith. Much like the reprocessed first week image. And week two, I think you are already learning as the week one thoughts have been put into practice. You could also try this image as a square crop too I think.

[Geoff F]

Looks good to me. I wonder if this might take a fraction more brightness, but keeping the shadows as they are now. Or would that veer too much towards the gaudy side? Maybe selectively applied?

[Shadowman]

This is my original image taken in Joshua Tree National Park.




This is my image after post processing--cropped to emphasize the curve in the rock on the right as a framing element, levels applied, saturation adjusted, some burning.



critique welcomed--How else can I learn and grow?

I think this capture could give you an abstract image if you include the top portion only and omit the greenery. A closeup of the black branches in different tones could give the viewer pause as to what they are viewing.

[mknittle]

Hi Judith, I like Paul's idea of the vignette. otherwise I think it looks good. Nice subject.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice Judith

This is my original image taken in Joshua Tree National Park.




This is my image after post processing--cropped to emphasize the curve in the rock on the right as a framing element, levels applied, saturation adjusted, some burning.



critique welcomed--How else can I learn and grow?

[Urbanflyer]

I had not intended to shoot this scene in "effects" mode, but.... thought I would include it in my challenge to learn more about post processing.

Original image



PP image

[Shadowman]

I had not intended to shoot this scene in "effects" mode, but.... thought I would include it in my challenge to learn more about post processing.

Original image



PP image

Nice concept, you have to be careful with the lighting when using effects or even monochrome SOOC, the algorithm used by the camera's computer tends to overexpose just as it would for a standard AUTO mode shot.