Wokworth at Dusk
Posted 30/08/2009 - 09:49
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I prefer the colour versions, but the lack of interest in the sky detracts from the composition.
Barrie - Too Old To Die Young
https://pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/barrieforbes
https://www.flickr.com/photos/189482630@N03/
https://pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/barrieforbes
https://www.flickr.com/photos/189482630@N03/
Posted 30/08/2009 - 10:12
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I like the used perspective on the series. But.....they all lack a bit of oompf....! I think adjusting the mid tone slider in levels would enhance the mid tone contrast.
Nr. 5 stands out the most for me, because of the golden glow in the windows. I would work on the sky to get it right. fairly easy job in PP.
And the bottom could use a crop.
Nr.6 might be a bit better with some perspective adjustment. You have enough space around it, so you won't miss anything vital in the process.
Hope it helps,
Martin.
Nr. 5 stands out the most for me, because of the golden glow in the windows. I would work on the sky to get it right. fairly easy job in PP.
And the bottom could use a crop.
Nr.6 might be a bit better with some perspective adjustment. You have enough space around it, so you won't miss anything vital in the process.
Hope it helps,
Martin.
Posted 30/08/2009 - 10:58
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Thanks Martin, I will have a go with Number five and six tonight, and see what I can come up with, do you have any suggestions on how to handle the sky?
Posted 30/08/2009 - 11:08
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I you want, I can post a example of the last two with a short explanation.
pictures speaking more than........., you know
It is really quick and easy.(think minutes)
Martin.
pictures speaking more than........., you know
It is really quick and easy.(think minutes)
Martin.
Posted 30/08/2009 - 11:18
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Great Martin, go for it. Every bit of knowledge is gratefully received.
Posted 30/08/2009 - 12:01 - Helpful Comment
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OK, here they are.
First I did was a bit cropping at the bottom.
After that these were the steps I did in Elements 6.
Copy background to new layer. ( CTRL-J)
Open levels by hitting Ctrl-L
Raise the mid tone slider to a value of 1,10 for opening up the shadows of the grass.
Press Ctrl-J for copying a new layer.
After that press shift+ctrl+N for adding a blank layer. Name it sky and press ok.
Now select a blue-ish sky colour as the foreground colour in your tool box.Background colour should be white.
Select the gradient tool (option foreground to background or transparent)
Draw a vertical line by holding the shift key and going from the top of the image till just beneath the horizon.
You will now see the gradient filling the blank layer.
Change blend mode to darker colour and the magic happens.
Set opacity to plus/minus 80 %.
Now select the eraser with a soft brush and clear the castle and tree/grass area from the blue-ish cast.
Watch out for halo's around the tree and brick line. You can change the opacity of the brush also in critical areas.
Finally press shift+ctrl+N again for a new blank layer.
Then....while holding the Alt key go to layers (toolbar) and press merge visible.
Now all the adjustments are combined in a new layer.
Go to filters--->other---->high pass.
Enter a value of 1 pixels and press ok. Change blend mode to hard light.
Press the eye icon to see the difference it does in sharpening and giving more detail to the bricks. Use opacity for fine tuning, if needed.
Flatten image and save.
The second one:
Again in Elements 6:
Duplicate layer pressing Ctrl-J
Go to filter----->correct camera distortion.
A new screen appears with some sliders on the left.
Move vertical perspective control slider to the left until the building looks right and is no longer falling backwards.(you will temporarily loose the flag, but don't worry. It will come back)
Now move the edge extension scale slider to the left until you have gained a bit space above the flag.
Press ok and crop away the useless areas. Flatten image and save.
Hope it helps.
Martin.
First I did was a bit cropping at the bottom.
After that these were the steps I did in Elements 6.
Copy background to new layer. ( CTRL-J)
Open levels by hitting Ctrl-L
Raise the mid tone slider to a value of 1,10 for opening up the shadows of the grass.
Press Ctrl-J for copying a new layer.
After that press shift+ctrl+N for adding a blank layer. Name it sky and press ok.
Now select a blue-ish sky colour as the foreground colour in your tool box.Background colour should be white.
Select the gradient tool (option foreground to background or transparent)
Draw a vertical line by holding the shift key and going from the top of the image till just beneath the horizon.
You will now see the gradient filling the blank layer.
Change blend mode to darker colour and the magic happens.
Set opacity to plus/minus 80 %.
Now select the eraser with a soft brush and clear the castle and tree/grass area from the blue-ish cast.
Watch out for halo's around the tree and brick line. You can change the opacity of the brush also in critical areas.
Finally press shift+ctrl+N again for a new blank layer.
Then....while holding the Alt key go to layers (toolbar) and press merge visible.
Now all the adjustments are combined in a new layer.
Go to filters--->other---->high pass.
Enter a value of 1 pixels and press ok. Change blend mode to hard light.
Press the eye icon to see the difference it does in sharpening and giving more detail to the bricks. Use opacity for fine tuning, if needed.
Flatten image and save.
The second one:
Again in Elements 6:
Duplicate layer pressing Ctrl-J
Go to filter----->correct camera distortion.
A new screen appears with some sliders on the left.
Move vertical perspective control slider to the left until the building looks right and is no longer falling backwards.(you will temporarily loose the flag, but don't worry. It will come back)
Now move the edge extension scale slider to the left until you have gained a bit space above the flag.
Press ok and crop away the useless areas. Flatten image and save.
Hope it helps.
Martin.
Posted 30/08/2009 - 19:10
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Wow Martin are those my images, that's a great transformation and a lot of help. I really appreciate you taking the time, the first one is quite a dramatic transformation. I will now go away and try the sky technique on the other images in the series.
Thanks again for taking the time.
Thanks again for taking the time.
Posted 30/08/2009 - 21:17
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Well hear goes my first effort. 
Posted 30/08/2009 - 21:27
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Well.....that wasn't to difficult, was it? Excellent job
You did agree with the crop ?
Martin.
You did agree with the crop ?
Martin.
Posted 30/08/2009 - 21:27
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The pictures will never be any good unless you get the name right!......It's "Warkworth!".........great improvment my friend,pity the sky was so non descript,a bit of cloud would have made all the difference......all the best.....Ken
K20D...ist DS ,DA18/55,DA16/45.DA* 50/135,"A"1.7 50MM..."A" 70/210..M 50mm f2...Tamron 90mm macro,28/300 Tamron,200/500 Tamron 6.9....A Pentax DA*300... Sigma10/20,FA31mm 1.8 Ltd*********,FA 77mm Ltd!
Posted 30/08/2009 - 21:39
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Thanks Ken, a typing error on my part. The embarrassment is all mine, I live just down the road and pass this castle nearly every day.
Posted 30/08/2009 - 21:43
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This is the next item from your first class tutorial Martin
Posted 30/08/2009 - 21:59
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Technoblurb wrote:
This is the next item from your first class tutorial Martin
Job done very well, no more secrets than for you . I am glad I could help out.This is the next item from your first class tutorial Martin
beginner wrote:
great improvment my friend,pity the sky was so non descript,a bit of cloud would have made all the difference......all the best.....Ken
Is this what you mean, Ken?? Just playing now..........great improvment my friend,pity the sky was so non descript,a bit of cloud would have made all the difference......all the best.....Ken
Martin.
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