Fireworks - Learning to Photograph - Critique please

[Brownbear]

Allen

Thank you. Well, I hope that when that rare opportunity arises to photograph fireworks arises that this thread is helpful. I've certainly learned many new things.

Marie...

Thank you. I'm very much looking forward to seeing your images. Indeed I think it is just wonderful that when one is trying new things (or old things) that the members of this forum are so helpful. And I'm especially appreciative of "little gems" like Mike.

Mike...

Thanks a million as always. I've learned so many things from this thread and your advice, and your edit which I like and I find especially informative and helpful. Colour casts are new to me. I've completed my edits (one following your guidelines and one following Maries') and I was just about to post them but something is wrong with Photobucket and I can't access it. As soon as I am able to do so I will post my edits.

I apologize but I've forgotten how to make quotes... When I processed this first set of images I used Lightroom. I increased the vibrancy of the entire image, and I also increased the saturation of select colours in the fireworks, plus when I made my curves adjustments I did so using certain colours, ie; blue, red, green... It made sense to me to selectively edit the colours... Perhaps this introduced the colour cast... In my new edits I didn't touch the colours in the curves/levels and hopefully you will see no colour cast in these when I am able to access these images.

I actually would prefer the images without the smoke, but since I've tried about ten times (at least ) to clone out a couple of blurred leaves (from being to low down) on a bear with disastrous results the smoke will have to stay for now.

A BIG thank you to everyone! And an extra BIG thank you to Mike!

[Mike Buckley]

Christina,

One way to include quotes is to click the "Reply With Quote" button. The post is displayed in between bracketed quote and /quote parameters. If you want to quote just part of the post, delete whatever parts you don't want to include in your quote.

If I were to remove the smoke located above the buildings, I wouldn't do it by cloning. Instead, I would use a brush to paint those areas of the sky. I would use the color of the sky and I would select that color by placing an eye dropper on the sky.

[Brownbear]

Thank you Mike...

Quotes noted, and it looks like I will be learning how to paint! Sounds simple enough to do.

Christina,

One way to include quotes is to click the "Reply With Quote" button. The post is displayed in between bracketed quote and /quote parameters. If you want to quote just part of the post, delete whatever parts you don't want to include in your quote.

If I were to remove the smoke located above the buildings, I wouldn't do it by cloning. Instead, I would use a brush to paint those areas of the sky. I would use the color of the sky and I would select that color by placing an eye dropper on the sky.

[zkogut]

These are really cool looking because of the cityscape and water reflections I think. I also posted a fireworks thread today and the only difference I see in yours is that they don't show how bright the fireworks are. I adjusted mine by bringing the highlights up and I also only used F/7.1 aperture. Check it out if you want. Yours look really cool though!

July 4th Fireworks over Gilbert, Arizona

[Brownbear]

Thank you Zak. Truly appreciated. Thank you for posting your fireworks as they were very helpful to see. I think I lowered my highlights to bring out more detail, but not so much in the edits which I'm about to post. Hopefully these are an improvement.

[Brownbear]

Following are my edits..

I didn't lighten any shadows this time around to learn and see if there is a preference for the lighter shadows or dark black sky and water.


Following Marie's suggestions. WB Auto, increased saturation, and also of the blues and aquas...




Following Mike's suggestions. Leaving WB as shot. I tried to figure out how to paint over the smoke but couldn't so this is something I will try and figure out later this week at my leisure




The other two shots processed again.

1A.


2A.



I think I've eliminated the colour cast. Post processing fireworks is also new to me, so if these edits are not an improvement or look worse than my originals I need to hear it. Thank you.

[Mike Buckley]

All of these four most recent revisions are much better than any of your earlier versions because you eliminated the strong color cast. I like your version of the one that I post-processed the least because the sky isn't as dark as in the other three revisions. Try raising the black point on that one, at least in the sky if not the entire image.

Remember that it doesn't matter if your histogram or other software tool indicates lost detail in the black sky. That's because there is no detail in a black sky.

Also keep in mind that it's fine to use different white balance settings on images of the same scenes so long as you don't present them together. In this case, you're presenting them together. The city lights appear different because of different white balance settings when we expect those lights to appear the same in every image.

Similarly, the black sky should always look the same in every image when you're presenting multiple images.

[Brownbear]

Try raising the black point on that one, at least in the sky if not the entire image.

Remember that it doesn't matter if your histogram or other software tool indicates lost detail in the black sky. That's because there is no detail in a black sky.

Also keep in mind that it's fine to use different white balance settings on images of the same scenes so long as you don't present them together. In this case, you're presenting them together. The city lights appear different because of different white balance settings when we expect those lights to appear the same in every image.

Similarly, the black sky should always look the same in every image when you're presenting multiple images.

Thanks Mike.

Here is another try at following your editing suggestions raising or should I say not lowering the black point because clipping in a black sky is not important.



I also reworked Marie's edit and used same auto WB. Even though I really loved the blues I see what you mean. Thank you for sharing that.


I've learned a lot from this thread. Thank you Mike, and to everyone for your replies.

[Mike Buckley]

Good job all around, Christina. Huge improvement from the beginning to the end, which is what your thread is all about. The bonus is that you've also got some darned nice keepers!

[Brownbear]

Thank you, Mike. I wouldn't have been able to figure it out without the advice and help of everyone here, and yours truly (you). It truly is a wonderful thing to be able to try something new and learn so much from the members here. And one way I feel I can share as others have helped me is for others to learn from my learning process.

Thank you. This means that I will have to stay up late yet another night, brave the crowds and try again.

Good job all around, Christina. Huge improvement from the beginning to the end, which is what your thread is all about. The bonus is that you've also got some darned nice keepers!

[Marie Hass]

Bravo, Christina!!!!!!

As Mike said, keepers, all.

I have also learned a lot by reading the dialogue between you and Mike.

Thank you both.

Marie

[ShaneS]

I second what Marie said above. This thread is an example of the great things (and people) that participate at CIC and one that others can use as a resource going forward.

[zkogut]

Thank you Zak. Truly appreciated. Thank you for posting your fireworks as they were very helpful to see. I think I lowered my highlights to bring out more detail, but not so much in the edits which I'm about to post. Hopefully these are an improvement.

Glad I could help. Your newest posts look very good and much improved. Nicely done.

[Rita]

Very nice on the final edits Christine. A very educational set of posts to learn from here. Hoping to make use of the suggestions for the Symphony of Light

[Brownbear]

Thank you Shane, Marie, Zak and Rita. Thank you to all for your help with these. Truly appreciated.

Rita... Thank you. I've learned a lot from these and I hope you have, too. If I manage to attend the Symphony of Light I will will be better prepared. I hope you make it and I'm very much looking forward to seeing and learning from your images.