Red Duchess Edit

[Ollokot]

This shot was hastily taken during last October's PAD, I done some tweaking with it today in elements and would be most appreciative of your C&C, I'm not sure if the hazy look works,maybe the shot is just bad from day one or my edit is to flat.
Best Wishes Pat.

[jiro]

Was it really hazy when you took the shot or the hazy effect is the one you want it to be? Just curious.

[Ollokot]

Hi jiro
Yes it was fairly hazy and I wanted to keep as natural as possible to see if it would be worth a print.
Best Wishes Pat.

[jiro]

If you'll introduce some small amount of sharpening I think your image would be fine. If you are also handy with using masks inside photoshop I'd probably masked the sky and tone it down a little bit to create contrast. You have a good subject, all you need is a little help on the post-processing to make it work better. Good luck!

[Ollokot]

Thank you jiro,I see what you mean by creating a bit of contrast in the sky,will certainly give it a try.
Best Wishes Pat.

[jiro]

Pat, hope you don't mind, I tried tweaking your image using ACDSEE pro without the use of masking and this is what I got.



Basically, some adjustment on the contrast, lowered the highlight value, then adjusted the brightness levels of each color. Your image is nice, if I may say.

[MiniChris]

I also played with some layer adjustments but I used an overlay adjustment which strengthened the overall image, but I like Jiro's treatment of the sky and clouds more than mine...somewhere in the middle, on the original image you have a good image - you have a good image anyway...and what Jiro and I have done is only change it to another vision. Nice shot.

[Ollokot]

Played a bit myself with layer adjustments but could'nt get it right and will have another go. Here is the version I posted in October and I can't seem to replicate it, however I was'nt overly happy with it.

[MiniChris]

I went back in and twiddle with some burning and dodging, I think as much just to see how far it was possible for you to go with the original image...me thinks you could really work this into a superbly finished piece.

[Ollokot]

Thank you very much jiro and Chris for your help and comments.
I'm getting a bit boged down with PP and can't seem to get the sky right,. I would be most grateful for any tips and advice from members. The editing software I am using is Photoshop Elements 7.
Many Thanks and Best Wishes
Pat.