Ghost in the window

[ionian]

Making use of a low direct sun and a very VERY dirty window for creative fun. Methods for boosting the reflection in the window (PS or LR) are most welcome, as are any other comments you may have.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Simon,

~ Methods for boosting the reflection in the window (PS or LR) are most welcome, as are any other comments you may have.

Have you tried Local Contrast Enhancement (LCE)?

For such a soft image (the reflection), you would want a very large radius and low amount; say 10-15% Amount at 100 or more pixel radius (and 0 Threshold) in the USM. You might need to use a layer and mask (or other means) to only apply this to the reflection though.

You might also want to try manually focusing at different depths in to the scene to decide whether there is any improvement to be had over this; where it looks like you have sharpness outside the window so that your girl and her reflection are soft.

Cheers, Dave

[Shadowman]

Nice effort.

[ionian]

Dave - Ill try the LCE, I haven't used that before. I did try a high pass filter, which I think is similar (I may be wrong on this - I use it without quite understanding what processes it affects) but it actually lessened the ghost, as it improved contrast of the noise (ok the dirty window)

You might also want to try manually focusing at different depths in to the scene to decide whether there is any improvement to be had over this; where it looks like you have sharpness outside the window so that your girl and her reflection are soft.

Cheers, Dave

Can you clarify this paragraph for me? Do you mean use manual focus when shooting the image, or something I can do in post? Reshooting is unlikely given the light situation, but I could make sure I remember for future opportunities. I want the reflection to be soft and ghostly, but I want it to have enough contrast not to be lost. Sorry, I've been up since 4.30am so I may understand better in the morning after a strong cup of coffee!

[Dave Humphries]

Can you clarify this paragraph for me? Do you mean use manual focus when shooting the image, or something I can do in post? Reshooting is unlikely given the light situation, but I could make sure I remember for future opportunities. I want the reflection to be soft and ghostly, but I want it to have enough contrast not to be lost. Sorry, I've been up since 4.30am so I may understand better in the morning after a strong cup of coffee!

Yes I did mean when shooting 'next time' - but I didn't say.

[mugge]

Simon, I've just place a piece of paper covering the girl. Her reflection looks very interesting to me. Just a thought.
Cheers Ole

[IzzieK]

Actually, to me this is a very nice image altogether. I like it. Call it abstract.

But next time, clean your window.

[Sergio M.]

A moody and nicely done photo, Simon.
I like it.

Sergio

[ionian]

Thanks all. Ole - I'll have a look at alternative crops, there is quite a bit of room for playing with on both sides.
Thanks Izzy and Sergio - I was quite pleased with it, it had a different feel to many of my usual images and it's nice to be creative. However, I'm always eager to find ways to improve. And Izzy - I would clean the window but then I wouldn't be able to take this shot again! Seriously, I couldn't believe how bad it was, it gets regularly cleaned I promise.

[IzzieK]

I was joking Simon, about cleaning your window...As I had said, I honestly like your image very much. It is artsy. I just thought the drama will be more pronounced if your child's silhouette wasn't included. (just another thought there...) As is, the shot is really good and the purpose for showing your child there is marvelous. If that window can tell a story, it will.

[bnnrcn]

IMO the image looks great as is, no need to boost the reflection

[ionian]

I know you were joking Izzy, no worries. I just can't believe how dirty it looked! Especially as we are trying to sell the house. Must do better.

I've been thinking about how I could have boosted the contrast and I could have tried reducing the light in the room itself when shooting. But the more I look at it the more I agree with Binnur - one of the reasons it works is that it's only just visible, and doesn't need any more contrast.