And on quite another note, our one and only (16 y.o.) got put on a plane to Italy this afternoon, for over three weeks. It's her first time away...

Correction Mike - Most things...

Many safe takeoffs and arrivals for the new airline

Hi and welcome

I read somewhere here that there is a particular 'flavour' to PPG, and that perhaps this reflects a US-centric nature?

If that's so, then there may be differing tastes between there and the UK for eg, as to what constitutes a 'good' image. Not sure where that leaves us here in the Antipodes though!

Certainly the peer judging here is worthwhile - and there's feedback.

FWIW, there are plenty of images you have posted here, that would look right at home in a PPG...

Indeed Kris - a bloke 'on another forum' who I see as fairly talented claims he had a shot knocked back, resubmitted it a year later and had it accepted. The vagaries of vox populi...
Hmm - Or was that populus?

Apologies Ken - I think our posts crossed in the mail!

Emma,

What I see is that both of these images have strong elements that make for great shots.

I suspect that the thing that could be causing you grief, is that they both have "High Dynamic Range" (HDR) features too - areas of significant shadow, as well as blown or nearly blown highlights.

Witness the arch at the top of the stairs (overexposed) versus the areas closer to the camera, in the second image.

That is difficult for the camera to handle with a single exposure. If applying global adjustments to the image, then as soon as you compensate for one, you make the other worse.

Is that starting to sound like what's happening?

If the image has sufficient remaining detail in both highlights and shadows, you could try selective adjustments to specific areas, with masks. Alternatively, make copies of the image, and adjust each for the differences (doge and burn), then superimpose them and use masks again.

Alternatively, give up on the shadows - accept them as blocked up, black areas (that works in the right shots), and fix the highlights?

Someone more talented will no doubt have far better advice for you Emma - I've been banging on long enough! :arrow:

My pleasure!

Col,

Cheers - it was mainly a caveat regarding the subject matter, and offered in the spirit of "comments to learn by" as requested - hopefully you only saw it that way also...