Lisbon Architecture

[John 2]

A couple of images from last year that I only recently got around to processing. I thought the treatment suited the subject but opinions welcome.

Fuji XT-1

1. Rua Augasta Arches - 18-55mm lens.


2. Monument of the Discoveries - 14mm lens.

[pnodrog]

I particularly like the first one. Retaining the reflected yellow on the paving is a subtle touch that I think many photographers would fail to do.

[Shadowman]

Nice efforts.

[NorthernFocus]

Both nicely done.

[bnnrcn]

Both great images John I really like the PP work on them. Is #1 HDR? If not, may I ask what technique you used to get this look which is similar to charcoal drawing.

[Manfred M]

Two nicely crafted images John, although I do wonder what is behind the bus in image #1. Leaving that splash of yellow in it is an interesting twist.

The second one is an interesting take on a well known monument that chronicles the Portuguese explorers that opened up much of the world to Europe. Just a bit of a detour, we visited St Francis Church in Cochin (Kochi), India, where da Gama was buried; his body was returned to Portugal 15 years later,

[Wavelength]

Awesome pairs of images...the unrealistic nature you have created upon them is their strength

[Sergio M.]

Both very well done, John. I too would be interested in how they were processed.

Sergio

[John 2]

Thanks all for the comments.

Binnur/Sergio - No HDR here Binnur. The technique is relatively simple and is one I favour for architecture. It is similar to HDR in one respect in that you can choose to what extent you apply it. It uses a high contrast mono overlay to harden the edges of the detail in an image and carefully applied, it can be used with colour as well as mono. Applying it lightly just emphasised the detail in the original image which is why it works well for architecture IMHO, particularly mono architectural shots. Using it more aggressively produces a correspondingly more graphic effect. What follows is centred on Photoshop but it should translate to other programmes using the appropriate tools. All you do is:

1. Duplicate the image onto a second layer. If you have the Layers dialogue box visible on the RHS of the screen, you just need to right click on the background layer and select "Duplicate Layer".
2. Select the new layer and go to Filter/Stylise/Find Edges to produce more of a line drawing.
3. Convert the line drawing to mono then select the curves tool (Image/Adjustments/Curves) and substantially increase the contrast by creating an "S" curve. You should now have a fairly graphic drawing like image on the new layer.
4. Note:
4.1 The degree to which you do this is a matter of trial and error plus personal taste.
4.2 Depending on the nature of the base image, you may find that inverting the mono layer is a better option.
5. Next select "Soft Light" as the blending Mode.
6. Finally, adjust the opacity of the mono (top) layer to taste.

In the case of the above images of course, the base layer was converted to mono before applying the PP described above. There was also some subsequent further PP once the two layers had been flattened. The need for and degree to which this might be desirable, will depend on the nature of the image that you select in the first instance and so I won't describe here (even if I could remember what I did ).

Have a play.

[ScoutR]

Both shots are excellent, and thank you so much for sharing the PP process that you used.

[John 2]

Two nicely crafted images John, although I do wonder what is behind the bus in image #1. ......................................

Manfred, some things you see at the time and some things you don't.

[Manfred M]

Manfred, some things you see at the time and some things you don't.

I take that means you don't know what is behind the bus?

[bnnrcn]

Thank you John. I will give it a go

Thanks all for the comments.

Binnur/Sergio - No HDR here Binnur. The technique is relatively simple and is one I favour for architecture. It is similar to HDR in one respect in that you can choose to what extent you apply it. It uses a high contrast mono overlay to harden the edges of the detail in an image and carefully applied, it can be used with colour as well as mono. Applying it lightly just emphasised the detail in the original image which is why it works well for architecture IMHO, particularly mono architectural shots. Using it more aggressively produces a correspondingly more graphic effect. What follows is centred on Photoshop but it should translate to other programmes using the appropriate tools. All you do is:

1. Duplicate the image onto a second layer. If you have the Layers dialogue box visible on the RHS of the screen, you just need to right click on the background layer and select "Duplicate Layer".
2. Select the new layer and go to Filter/Stylise/Find Edges to produce more of a line drawing.
3. Convert the line drawing to mono then select the curves tool (Image/Adjustments/Curves) and substantially increase the contrast by creating an "S" curve. You should now have a fairly graphic drawing like image on the new layer.
4. Note:
4.1 The degree to which you do this is a matter of trial and error plus personal taste.
4.2 Depending on the nature of the base image, you may find that inverting the mono layer is a better option.
5. Next select "Soft Light" as the blending Mode.
6. Finally, adjust the opacity of the mono (top) layer to taste.

In the case of the above images of course, the base layer was converted to mono before applying the PP described above. There was also some subsequent further PP once the two layers had been flattened. The need for and degree to which this might be desirable, will depend on the nature of the image that you select in the first instance and so I won't describe here (even if I could remember what I did ).

Have a play.

[Dave A]

Unusual PP and very effective, I like!

Dave

[mugge]

John, I love both your shots. #1 I do think is special though. The bus is an interesting inclusion and it works.
Cheers Ole

[John 2]

Manfred, some things you see at the time and some things you don't.

Manfred, I didn't see the bus let alone what was behind it!

[Kaye Leggett]

Both great images and thanks for the tutorial. I particularly like the first image - so difficult to pull off effectively, I have tried so many times ��

[John 2]

Thanks Dave, Ole and Kaye for the continued comments. I suspect the bus crept in as I made the exposure Ole and so I won't take credit (or blame) for it being there.

[IzzieK]

Thank you for the tutorial, John. I think I may have to pull out my 12-34mm soon when we go out for a shoot in the city. I like both images but I like the use of UWA in#2 as I still have to perfect that. I have saved a copy of your shot and the tutorial that went with it to remind me,

[John 2]

You're very welcome Izzie.