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Thread: Smokestack

  1. #1
    Sunray's Avatar
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    Smokestack

    I like the lighting of that scene, but something that I can not grap disturbs me. I think it is a little bit to dark, but if I make it a little bit brighter it just looks boring. What do you think about that picture. If you like, play a little bit with it. ThereforeI attached the second one.

    Thanks.
    Robert

    20100623__mg_2610_700px.jpg
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  2. #2
    Shadowman's Avatar
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    Re: Smokestack

    I think having the entire structure would help, especially if a bit of sky or another transition color was shown in the background. The current background sort of overwhelms the profile of the structure.

  3. #3

    Re: Smokestack

    I sort of saw the image before I registered the title, and do you know what it reminded me of? An Apollo space rocket on the launch pad. I knew I had a weird imagination.

  4. #4

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    Re: Smokestack

    Yes I frequently get into a similar dilemma.

    It is a high contrast scene and you cannot increase the highlights so you lighten the shadows which produces a flat and uninteresting image.

    Usually, I end up by leaving the image as it was; which is my advice here. It looks good and dramatic as it is.

  5. #5

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    Re: Smokestack

    Hi, Robert;

    It's awfully orange. I opened as camera raw in CS5, and used the upper part to get a white balance. I ended up with -25 temp and -30 tint, and I used a recovery 5 to bring the highlights in a little. Then I added a levels layer, and set white point at 207 and mid at 1.26.

    This looks more rusty/industrial, and less painty/orange, to me: see if it strikes you as better.

    Smokestack

    Since there's so much of one color, I also tried it as monochrome. I converted to B&W, and adjusted levels again.

    Smokestack

    Cheers,
    Rick

  6. #6

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    Re: Smokestack

    Quote Originally Posted by Sunray View Post
    I like the lighting of that scene, but something that I can not grap disturbs me. I think it is a little bit to dark, but if I make it a little bit brighter it just looks boring. What do you think about that picture. If you like, play a little bit with it. ThereforeI attached the second one.

    Thanks.
    Robert
    Smokestack

    Hi Robert,

    This is my humble attempt, your comments please

  7. #7
    David's Avatar
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    Re: Smokestack

    Hi Robert - There has been some recent discussion of abstract images from photographs. With that in mind, here's my abstracted version of your smoke stack. I thought it looked a bit like an old steam engine, if I put it on its side.

    Smokestack

    Cheers

    David

  8. #8
    arith's Avatar
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    Re: Smokestack

    Too hard for me
    Smokestack

  9. #9
    Sunray's Avatar
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    Re: Smokestack

    Hello,

    thanks to everyone for comments and modifications. Personally I like Rick's B/W conversion most.
    I will try to get the smokestack at another time of day than the structures in the background get more light. Unfortunally it is not possible to get a picture of it from the side, taken from higher ground. It is only half an hour away from my home so I will get a lot of possibilities to get another try.

    cu
    Robert

  10. #10

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    Re: Smokestack

    Hi, Robert;

    If you want to get a full range of exposure of the smokestack and the shadows, maybe try HDR. There's a tutorial on doing it with Photoshop, and of course there's a whole forum section. I've also used Picturenaut, which is quite good.

    Cheers,
    Rick

  11. #11
    Sunray's Avatar
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    Re: Smokestack

    Hi Rick,

    I tried to to some pictures today there for HDR. But shortly after my arrival some clouds blocked the evening sun. So I have to try it again.
    But I wasn't ther for nothing. After sunset the whole complex is illuminated. And like Rob already supposed that thing converts to an Apollo space rocket during nighttime.

    bye
    Robert

    20100702__mg_2693_700px.jpg
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  12. #12
    Moderator Dave Humphries's Avatar
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    Re: Smokestack

    Quote Originally Posted by Sunray View Post
    But I wasn't ther for nothing. After sunset the whole complex is illuminated. And like Rob already supposed that thing converts to an Apollo space rocket during nighttime.
    Hey, that's great Robert, much better than the originals.

    btw I preferred the very first one, the side lit by setting sun, which for me, made the WB acceptable.

    That said, I also liked Rick's mono version.

    Cheers,

  13. #13

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    Re: Smokestack

    Very cool, Robert: I like this one a lot. A totally different look, as you say, and well done on the night exposure.

    Cheers,
    Rick

  14. #14
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    Re: Smokestack

    A much more interesting and intense photo Robert. The lighting brings out aspects that escape the eye with daytime light.

  15. #15

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    Re: Smokestack

    Smokestack

    Is this any improvement...! !

  16. #16
    Sunray's Avatar
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    Re: Smokestack

    Yes, it would be one if I had uploaded a less compressed image.

    bye
    Robert

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