I would like to try and make this image stand out more. Is it worth it and what would you do?

jondc

jondc

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Jon
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I would like to try and make this image stand out more. Is it worth it and what would you do?

Although I have LR5 and CS4, also pixelmator, I have not really done much with post processing but would like to try and start improving the final images I produce.

Many thanks in advance.

View attachment 35621
 
It's a bit flat, not much in the way of contrast. It may have done with using a polarising filter when you took it. Do you have access to one and the subject?
 
Unfortunately no to the filter but yes to the subject.
 
My first thought was about the reflection of the overcast sky in the windows. A polarising filter would affect this, I'm not sure to what extent though.
Try looking through sunglasses at the same scene and see what you think next time you are passing.

Which direction does this face?
 
Its a West facing facade.
I was hoping to get a bit more drama in the brick/stonework, maybe as you say a bit flat on the lighting.
 
Steve T said:
Sorry. Its a crap photo, bin it!

Steve.
Click to expand...

Well thats short and to the point!

The reason for the photo is the local amateur photographer club I am a member of has a themed photo every month. Next month is water and I wanted to get something that moved away from the lake, canal ect that most will focus on. So I was trying to capture something different, hence the drain pipe for rain water.

But ill get back out there and look for alternatives.
Thanks.
 
Ignore the guy from Kent. Scots are more forgiving :)
Seeing as it is west facing, at midday (ish) the face of the building will get sunlight across it and lift some texture from the bricks and joints. The reflections will be different, too.
Keep an eye out at different times of day and see what happens. It's not a lost cause.
It just needs a bit of thought.
If it caught your eye in the first place, it's worth a bit of effort to make something of it.
 
As mentioned by Ken a bit flat. But as you have lightroom, bang up the contrast and flip it to B&W. You have nothing to lose and if you don't like no damage done.
 
Thanks for the responses, I have a few things to try.
 
Try using the "white" slider in lightroom (move to right) . I find it can give the illusion of adding some sunlight to a subject which is otherwise quite dull. Move the black slider a bit to the left as well. These two changes will have the effect of adding contrast. Maybe the contrast slider would be easier.( I must do it the hard way.)

You will probably blow the highlights (windows etc) at the same time. Turn them down using the highlight slider.

You can also correct for lens distortion in LR. In "lens corrections" there should be a profile for your lens. you might have to search for it. Then tick "enable profile corrections". If this doesn't work use the manual corrections to flatten out the wall. If you're not at exactly 90 deg. to the wall this type of image will always look a bit odd.

Good luck.
 
jondc said:
Well thats short and to the point!

The reason for the photo is the local amateur photographer club I am a member of has a themed photo every month. Next month is water and I wanted to get something that moved away from the lake, canal ect that most will focus on. So I was trying to capture something different, hence the drain pipe for rain water.

But ill get back out there and look for alternatives.
Thanks.
Click to expand...


perhaps if you explain why you took the pic in the first place ? rather than wait for a negative response. like reeling someone in.. then telling them...

i would have gone for 6 or 3 windows using thirds rather than quarters:)
 
KIPAX said:
perhaps if you explain why you took the pic in the first place ? rather than wait for a negative response. like reeling someone in.. then telling them...

i would have gone for 6 or 3 windows using thirds rather than quarters:)
Click to expand...

At the time of originating the thread I did not explain the reason for taking the photos, as I did not see what relevance of this information had on the question.
I also like the response "Sorry. Its a crap photo, bin it!". I appreciate people who are to the point but after this response I thought maybe if I explained the reason for the photo I might get a bit more input on whether it is worth investing time in as a photo or concept. So it was not an intentional withholding of information to "reel someone in".

Good point though, on the "I would have gone for 6 or 3 windows using thirds rather than quarters". I feel a return visit maybe in order.

Thank you for your input also jerry12953, kendo1 and Suomi
 
Reframing would be interesting but you were asking about this image. I like the symmetry and the variety of textures across a shallow plane, where it fails is the two top windows. I don't know what you have at your disposal but if you can increase/improve the clarity and contrast in those windows I think you'll find the image has a lot more kick to it
 
I just darkened the glass and messed with the contrast to retain the brightness of the frames and try to match to the lower windows. There's plenty of detail here. Do you have a RAW file?

View attachment 36006
 
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I like the symmetry in the photo. Not everything has to conform, also there is bags of texture, for example the peeling paint on the top windows, obviously the brickwork etc. I agree with byker28i, I think b&w is the way forward. That said, I am a bit of a b&w perv, so feel free to ignore!!! I would work on it, as you've already said, different view point on the brief!
 
Learning that the picture was shot for a theme "water", really puts a different angle on the object of the thread.
I know its about improving this picture, and there is lots of great tech and ps advice posted with that in mind, but I'm really struggling to muster up motivation to post something along those lines when the photo just doesn't fit the theme "water" in the first place.
I know it has a drainpipe in it but without you pointing out that that is the link to the theme "water", I'm just looking at a house front wondering.
IMO, I think you should try something else that does not require you to point out an element in the photo that links it with the theme set by the club.
By all means keep the drainpipe idea, but I think it ought to be much more obvious that when given the theme title, the viewer doesn't have to think that hard what the link is. :)
 
I like the picture.

Personally I would go back to the location and make a set of symmetrical shots to go alongside the one you already have. I would also choose beforehand to shoot either black and white or colour (i quite like the brick colour). If you do choose to shoot black and white, set your camera to shoot raw + jpeg, and set the camera to convert to black and white in camera (this way you get the best of both worlds, you get immediate feedback of what the picture looks like in black and white, and you get the full colour raw to use back home).
 
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