Advice please? I think these could be better.......

[James G]

I just got around to tackling the following images captured on a trip to France last year.
I was primarily interested in viewing and photographing medieval stained glass in St Florentin, Auxerre, and Trois.
Along the way though I took in a few Chablis Vinyards as well as soaking up the ambience of a very beautiful region that I think loses out a little to the more popular 'Mediterranean ' areas to the south.

I am somewhat dissatisfied with these images, (the carousel in particular). Problem is, that I'm not clear what I'm unhappy about , so would appreciate any thoughts as to how CiCs colleagues might have treated them .

James

#1 Away from the fashion, Trois


#2 Carousel-1


#3 Carousel-2


#4 Carousel-3


#5 Countryside Chablis 1


#6 Countryside Chablis 2

[Geoff F]

Yes, I see what you mean, James.

For me: #1 is a complex scene. There is quite a bit of somewhat plain foreground then too much together, so there isn't any definite subject.

And the rear end of the person on the left seems to attract too much attention!

I wonder about cropping tighter to concentrate more on the cafe scene and totally losing that character on the left but I'm not really sure.

#2 is also very complicated with background mixing with the intended subject and causing confusion. Possibly looks clearer in colour.

With #3 and #4 you have a definite subject so they work better for me.

The countryside scenes are OK but they don't really have any 'wow factor' for me when in monochrome. Maybe slightly darken the shadows to produce more contrast?

[Stagecoach]

Hi James,

Viewing these on my monitor there is too much detail loss in the bright areas. Taking No 2 carousel I opened in ACR, reduced exposure slightly and increased recovery to remove all clipping. In Elements simply 'darkened highlights' and now full detail such as creases show on the side of the white van on the left.

Grahame

[James G]

Geoff, its a fair point about #1. I recropped removing the plain foreground and it does improve. I was fascinated by the hustle and bustle of the scene and have probably tried to include too much... will rethink that element.

As regards the carousel, I think Grahame's suggested tweaks work well. I use CS6 but I think I need to go back to ACR and reduce exposure more as he suggests. I have a feeling I have blindsided myself by reducing highlights too much rather than exposure.

The countryside scenes are a bit too flat I agree. Increasing contrast gives them more pop. Again I think I've been clinging to a memory of the scene rather than working the image as I probably should. I'll repost later.....

In fact, both your observations bring it home to me that I've been trying to balance too may elements of the image, probably based on a memory of the place.

[Shadowman]

I think they just need a tonal adjustment. There shouldn't be that much white even if shot at midday.

[Geoff F]

I suppose you could try a little Local Contrast Enhancement with the landscapes. But it is so easy to ruin this sort of scene if this is applied too strongly.

[James G]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback.

It's amazing just how it's possible to lock yourself into images, knowing there is something wrong, but not being able to get a lead on where the fault is. You all saw what I just couldn't see for myself!

So,
1) I went back to the beginning, and worked the raw file properly, all of them needed at least another half stop reduction in exposure, before doing any tonal adjustment.
2) Additionally, I processed them for colour in ACR and then transferred to CS6 for B&W conversion rather than continue in ACR. (I need to investigate a bit more why working with a more limited conversion palette in CS6 seemed to give me more control!)

3) regarding the Troyes street scene, I ended up radically changing the crop and that seems to be more pleasing. I was trying to combine the activity of the people with the rather eccentric mix of architectural styles down the alley. Its a street scene so I concentrated on the activity.

4) the Chablis countryside scene was too bland and when I reworked it I increased the contrast in the landscape and the drama of the skies. (If memory serves me right, the weather was bright but summer rain storms kept whiffling through. )

Reworked set for your perusal and further C&C below

#1 Away from the fashion, Troyes



#2 Carousel-1



#3 Carousel-2



#4 Carousel-3



#6 Countryside Chablis 2





Oh yes, luckily no Fracophiles have picked up on this thread yet. I inadvertently refered to the town of 'Troyes' as 'Trois'. My French pronunciation is that of an Englishman and Trois and Troyes sound almost identical in my ear. I would naturally say Troy, for Troyes in English so I schooled myself to think of trois, 'Three' in French, while I was there.

[Geoff F]

That is better. I wonder if you could get away with a fraction more blacks/shadows on the carousel scenes? The landscape is greatly improved now.

[James G]

Geoff, its a good point.
I think part of the reason I made a hash of the first pass because I was trying too hard for stronger blacks. The Carousel is quite vibrant, and relatively small changes to individual colours/B&W conversion seemed to have disproportionate impact on blacks and shadow. I'd blocked some of the flexibility by starting off with too much brightness.

I think that the images as processed are about right for print, which is what I usually see as my end game. If they were only for digital display, I think I would have wanted them with a little more 'pop'. The original processing could not have produced the print I am after, which is why I ended up posting, and thanks to the independent eyes and advice I think I've got the images I want to print.... That's tomorrows task
James