Which one?

[JJvanDelft]

As I am new to CiC I like to test the feeling of the photographers about the way photographs are processed.
The first photo is processed in Photoshop and the second one in Fotomatix. Which one do you prefer and why?

Image 1


Image 2


Thanks

[Geoff F]

Depends on what sort of result you were after, Jacques.

The first shot looks completely natural.

[Shadowman]

I like the second only because the reds are not so bright, they are more subtle and dramatic.

[dje]

I prefer the natural look of the first Jacques. Personally I can't see much benefit from tone mapping an image like this, albeit fairly subtle. You could add a little "pop" to the first with some Local Contrast Enhancement.

Dave

[mknittle]

I too vote for the first.

[IzzieK]

My vote is on the first...it is more natural looking -- as I saw them before...

[Stagecoach]

As I am new to CiC I like to test the feeling of the photographers about the way photographs are processed.
The first photo is processed in Photoshop and the second one in Fotomatix. Which one do you prefer and why?
Thanks

For me one looks processed and one looks SOOC so I do not feel that I could compare two different styles of processing.

Grahame

[Geoff F]

But remember, Jacques, there is nothing wrong with processing an image to look exactly as you wish. You can create your own particular style, as many CinC members do.

[JJvanDelft]

Hi,
Thanks for the response. I personally also prefer a more natural look in any photograph (also the first one). I see a lot of dramatic processed photo's on CiC and was just wondering.

[Shadowman]

Hi,
Thanks for the response. I personally also prefer a more natural look in any photograph (also the first one). I see a lot of dramatic processed photo's on CiC and was just wondering.

I think you really like the second one but don't want to admit it.

[John 2]

I quite like the second one. I'm never sure about HDR for the sake of HDR. Its got to add something to worth while. However, where it does seem to work is with architectural subjects.

[FrankMi]

Hi,
Thanks for the response. I personally also prefer a more natural look in any photograph (also the first one). I see a lot of dramatic processed photo's on CiC and was just wondering.

Hi Jacques. I think you see photos processed differently here and elsewhere because folks like different styles. Some images are processed to look as close to reality as possible for the person that took the image. Not everyone's view of natural occurring 'reality' is the same so there can be differences for that reason alone. Differences in lighting can create a wide range of what is real as well.

Other's process images more for what they want to see in an image and these can range all the way from subtle changes in vibrancy all the way to exotic art forms that have little to do with the reality that we see (or think we remember seeing).

The bottom line is YOU. What do you want it to look like? In that regard you have a multitude of results for the same image that can still reflect your reality that and may not necessarily match someone else's idea of what is natural. Not wrong, but often just different.

[Manfred M]

Hi,
Thanks for the response. I personally also prefer a more natural look in any photograph (also the first one). I see a lot of dramatic processed photo's on CiC and was just wondering.

The first one looks more "real", Jacques, as the telephone boxes are a bright red.

Tone mapping using software like Photomatix does have a role in photography, but it is not needed for this image. The dynamic range in this image is well within the bounds of your camera's sensor.

While you do see post-processed images on CiC, very few of the ones I have seen are tone-mapped.

[Kaye Leggett]

The first is more England which is where I presume they are from ???

[JJvanDelft]

Yes the photo was taken last year while visiting Cambridge UK. As the first is still my favorite, I liked to play with it and learn from the comments, which I do, Thanks!

[JJvanDelft]

Shadowman, You think wrong.....