Elementary Post Processing

steveo_mcg

steveo_mcg

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Steven
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Could some one help with this.

The light was appalling on the day, the lights always appalling at cyclocross, and I think the shot could be improved with some better post processing but I don't really know where to start.

All I've done is adjust the exposure, contrast, blacks, the simple stuff. What else might help?



DSC_4776-2 by steveo_mcg, on Flickr
 
This may not help now, but next time take a flash gun. It will make a world of difference.
 
Fill light, more contrast and more boost to blacks, more saturation and vibrance and darken the highlights and lights to make the sky more moody?

8361722759_b491ede0ce_c1s.jpg
 
Jason, the riders (sometimes) get annoyed by flash and I can't be bothered with the (occasional) argument. You're right though a flash would've help massively.

Cheers Alan that looks better, I really need to do more reading around slightly-more-advanced-than-basic processing.
 
If it helps at all...

I find it easiest to shoot and process RAW and I actually prefer to use the (CS5) RAW processor when working on JPEG's too by importing them as RAW's using the OPEN AS option.
 
All clearly subjective but I preferred your original, but I do prefer moody shots.
Lightening and darkening can easily make the photo look unnatural. You can see that the light would have been low on that day so would expect to see that reflected and not see saturated colours, low shadows etc,.
 
Yup.

In my part of the world the lighting is often very poor and flat and as a result quite a few of the pictures I take are flat and pretty lifeless really.

There is a place for reality but equally there's nothing wrong with taking that reality and making an image that you like better.
 
I preferred the original too. good shot! maybe a slower shutter and some panning to get a sense of speed would have helped...

I have to say as a cyclocross cyclist and a tog, I don't care a bout the flash so long as I look good in the photo! but it is hard work and everyone gets shouted at for everything once everyone starts to tire... even the other cyclists!

Would love to see some low key cycling images, stobist style... I'm injured this year so maybe I should go along with my camera instead? - now theres an idea! (and they would be less likely to moan as they all know me)
 
Last edited:
Cheers guys, I had a complete Windows 8 related meltdown last night and haven't had a chance to play with this or order a new keyboard...

Alan, I think the greens in the grass and the sky look much better but the rider looks to pink, for want of a better expression. But its given me good steer, would add punch to the greenish channels help with that?

Brian, my panning technique is even worse than my pp :D. I keep trying though. What I really want for next winter is 10mm or the like to get in those inside corners with the rider just over the cameras head, probably use a remote trigger for that though!!

A low key black image with just the rider coming out the darkness would look awesome! Probably. There is an annual evening race up here at halloween and the riders all get dressed up but with out a fairly powerful flash all you can get is shots of light trails.
My buddy took these ones.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackpuddinonnabike/8142948468/
 
That edit is more to my liking (without the vignette as I just don't like those)
 
steveo_mcg said:
Cheers guys, I had a complete Windows 8 related meltdown last night and haven't had a chance to play with this or order a new keyboard...
Click to expand...

Off topic but:
Was this an issue where keyboard & mouse stopped working at the Win8 login screen? Works in BIOS, but not once Win8 has loaded?
Cos if it was, there's a fix...
 
steveo_mcg said:
Alan, I think the greens in the grass and the sky look much better but the rider looks to pink, for want of a better expression. But its given me good steer, would add punch to the greenish channels help with that?
Click to expand...

The adjustments I made took about 20 seconds and I'm useless at optimising shots for web use, in fact I never bother, so I'm sure that spending a few more seconds getting the saturation and vibrance just right or even adjusting individual colours would get the picture more to your taste.

The biggest issue with the original IMVHO is that the sky is quite bright especially around the lead guys head.
 
Cheers Will, I tried the slightly desaturated look last time and I agree it does suit 'cross. I was thinking a change this time.

DSC_4176 by steveo_mcg, on Flickr
 
Durbs said:
Off topic but:
Was this an issue where keyboard & mouse stopped working at the Win8 login screen? Works in BIOS, but not once Win8 has loaded?
Cos if it was, there's a fix...
Click to expand...

No the issue was (I think) a corrupt file that windows refuses to fix stopping the computer from booting. The keyboard issue was caused by the keyboard impacting the wall when I got more and more annoyed :bang:
 
woof woof said:
The biggest issue with the original IMVHO is that the sky is quite bright especially around the lead guys head.
Click to expand...

Yeah the sky never plays ball and I find the only really good looking 'cross pictures are taken quite low and looking up.
 
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