On the Crash Course!

[Alis]

Please comment

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Ali,

Another cute photo of your son with the good composition we've come to expect.

If it were mine, to make a very good shot 'great', I would;
1) Clone out the orange lid thing lying on the ground on the right
2) Remove the blown bit of sky
3) Tone down the highlight behind your son's head (just a bit)

Then it'll be just about perfect (IMHO)

When I see your (excellent) shots I realise the opportunities I have missed while mine were growing up, so keep at it!

[Alis]

Hi Ali,

Another cute photo of your son with the good composition we've come to expect.

If it were mine, to make a very good shot 'great', I would;
1) Clone out the orange lid thing lying on the ground on the right
2) Remove the blown bit of sky
3) Tone down the highlight behind your son's head (just a bit)

Then it'll be just about perfect (IMHO)

When I see your (excellent) shots I realise the opportunities I have missed while mine were growing up, so keep at it!

Thanks a lot, Dave. Great points. I keep missing those fine points but I think I am getting better.

And I think kids are always kids to their parents, so it is never too late. To be honest, I wish mine could follow a simple command like "Stay where you are for two seconds!"

Thanks again.

Ali

[Colin Southern]

Looks good to me Ali,

In addition to Dave's points I'd suggest also a wee burn around the ground in the foreground (it's looking a bit washed out).

Another technique I use a lot is using the burn tool to increase local contrast around areas that need it (trees are usually prime candidates) - just set it to shadows (or sometimes mid-tones) about 4% with a soft brush (40 to 60%) and just "tap" over a few areas a few times.

It requires a bit of practice - and it can definately be overdone - but done correctly it definately "lifts" the image quite considerably.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Ali, Colin,

I almost suggested the fourth point too.

I like the idea of the trees tip Colin, but in this particular image, I do wonder if enhancing the contrast of something so peripheral might distract from the main subject?

You might well prove me wrong, but then at least I'll learn in the process

[Colin Southern]

I like the idea of the trees tip Colin, but in this particular image, I do wonder if enhancing the contrast of something so peripheral might distract from the main subject?

Hi Dave,

I wouldn't think so - the trees are completely out of focus, and the kids have "pride of place" in the composition, with good contrasting colours.

[Antonio Correia]

Hello Alis.
Nice picture.

[Alis]

Looks good to me Ali,

In addition to Dave's points I'd suggest also a wee burn around the ground in the foreground (it's looking a bit washed out).

Another technique I use a lot is using the burn tool to increase local contrast around areas that need it (trees are usually prime candidates) - just set it to shadows (or sometimes mid-tones) about 4% with a soft brush (40 to 60%) and just "tap" over a few areas a few times.

It requires a bit of practice - and it can definately be overdone - but done correctly it definately "lifts" the image quite considerably.

Thanks, Colin. Wonderful tip. Give me more of these please I have always used the burn tool at %100 strenght! I think that is why I never like it. Now I think the dodge tool should be use the same way to get a subtle effect, like when whitening eyes.

[Alis]

Hello Alis.
Nice picture.

Thanks, Antonio. Ali

[JK6065]

Nice one,
I like the expresion ont he children's faces. You made a good composition of this scene and I think the suggestions given in this thread will improve the photo even more.

regards Jeroen

[Dave Humphries]

I have always used the burn tool at 100% strength! I think that is why I never like it. Now I think the dodge tool should be use the same way to get a subtle effect, like when whitening eyes.

I can sympathise with this
"Been there", as they say..

Colin,

While I do now use burn or dodge normally between 15 and 50% and build up with as many strokes as it takes, I have never got my head around the difference between Highlights, Midtones or Shadows choices - sometimes they behave as I expect and at others the complete opposite, so I'd appreciate any tips you may have on this aspect.

Thanks,