Architecture Overprocessed or not?

DeadJohn · 12-28-2014, 02:08 AM

This is the upper level of an uncompleted Civil War era fort. It didn't look interesting when processed with my usual moderate slider settings. I considered B&W but on a whim pushed things the other way: Vibrance +100, Saturation +100. Such extreme settings usually scare me off but seem to work on this photo. Critique on processing and composition (and anything else) is appreciated.

**Miguel** · 12-28-2014, 03:23 AM

The post work on this shot is a lot of fun. Looks quite metallic. The bit of sky, however, looks too artifacted, so I'd fix this.
The bigger issue to me is the black box in the middle of the path. Breaks up the scene with a thud.

M

TaoMaas · 12-28-2014, 06:47 AM

I like the processing even if it is much stronger than what you usually do. It seems to work well for this shot. I agree with Miguel about the sky. It's too bright and is distracting. The black box breaks up the lines of the composition, too, but it bothers me a lot less than the sky.

**Jacquot** · 12-28-2014, 07:01 PM

I feel differently, that the processing competes with the composition. I see the colors and detail, not the overall image. To me the depth is lost, and the moment. There is something that you saw and wanted to capture. Is this image it? That is the main thing.

normhead · 12-28-2014, 07:07 PM

I think it's pretty cool.... the colour artifacts are quite artistic.

**hjoseph7** · 12-28-2014, 07:32 PM

The composition is great, the theme is abstract.

**jheu02** · 12-28-2014, 07:49 PM

Here's a thought based on other comments...what about a crop to make it more abstract? Leave the processing as is, but get rid of the sky and the block. Try various versions and see what you think. It wouldn't be a Civil War fort any more, but you may find a gem hidden in the rough. Here's 5 seconds of work but you'll have the full image to work with...cloning out the sky by "making" other blocks, etc.

Attached Images

Last edited by jheu02; 12-28-2014 at 08:11 PM.

DeadJohn · 12-28-2014, 09:29 PM

Thanks, everyone.

Originally posted by Miguel

The post work on this shot is a lot of fun. Looks quite metallic. The bit of sky, however, looks too artifacted, so I'd fix this. The bigger issue to me is the black box in the middle of the path. Breaks up the scene with a thud.

I can fix the left portion of the sky but the center and right are blown out clouds with harsh CA around backlit weeds.The image is a DNG but I wasn't able to recover that part of the photo. The "black box" weighs approx 1300 pounds; moving it wasn't an option. Photoshopping the box out pushes processing too far for me.

Originally posted by jheu02

what about a crop to make it more abstract?

That's an interesting take on it. It solves the sky and leftover block on the ground. Cropping emphasizes the back wall and I now see that my focus wasn't good, either.

mee · 12-28-2014, 10:35 PM

Its cooked like a chicken at KFC -- extra (tasty) crispy.

That said, I think it works for the image in an artsy way -- the overprocessing isn't unattractive to me... has more of an abstract feel to it.

That black box has to go though (can you heal brush it out??)

Matthew Saville · 12-30-2014, 05:54 PM

I definitely like that cropped version, although I would say that it's a bit too resolution-harming to be printed big like that. Maybe next time?

mikeSF · 12-30-2014, 06:04 PM

i agree that the surreal look is somewhat interesting vs what the normally processed image may have been. clever.
comp is bugging me. a slightly longer lens would have allowed you to frame the lintels more uniformly for that infinity look(eliminating that sliver of blown sky). The black box is a bit distracting and perhaps could be cloned out.
the blue stones down front resemble tiles of fine lapis.
nice.

pentaxian_tmb · 12-30-2014, 08:16 PM

Originally posted by jheu02

Here's a thought based on other comments...what about a crop to make it more abstract? Leave the processing as is, but get rid of the sky and the block. Try various versions and see what you think. It wouldn't be a Civil War fort any more, but you may find a gem hidden in the rough. Here's 5 seconds of work but you'll have the full image to work with...cloning out the sky by "making" other blocks, etc.

Much prefer this version

12-28-2014, 02:08 AM	#1
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	Overprocessed or not? ISO: 50 This is the upper level of an uncompleted Civil War era fort. It didn't look interesting when processed with my usual moderate slider settings. I considered B&W but on a whim pushed things the other way: Vibrance +100, Saturation +100. Such extreme settings usually scare me off but seem to work on this photo. Critique on processing and composition (and anything else) is appreciated.

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12-28-2014, 03:23 AM	#2
Miguel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,743	The post work on this shot is a lot of fun. Looks quite metallic. The bit of sky, however, looks too artifacted, so I'd fix this. The bigger issue to me is the black box in the middle of the path. Breaks up the scene with a thud. M

12-28-2014, 06:47 AM	#3
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	I like the processing even if it is much stronger than what you usually do. It seems to work well for this shot. I agree with Miguel about the sky. It's too bright and is distracting. The black box breaks up the lines of the composition, too, but it bothers me a lot less than the sky.

12-28-2014, 07:01 PM	#4
Jacquot Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sun City Center, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,544	I feel differently, that the processing competes with the composition. I see the colors and detail, not the overall image. To me the depth is lost, and the moment. There is something that you saw and wanted to capture. Is this image it? That is the main thing.

12-28-2014, 07:07 PM	#5
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	I think it's pretty cool.... the colour artifacts are quite artistic.

12-28-2014, 07:32 PM	#6
hjoseph7 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,047	The composition is great, the theme is abstract.

12-28-2014, 07:49 PM	#7
jheu02 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,027	Here's a thought based on other comments...what about a crop to make it more abstract? Leave the processing as is, but get rid of the sky and the block. Try various versions and see what you think. It wouldn't be a Civil War fort any more, but you may find a gem hidden in the rough. Here's 5 seconds of work but you'll have the full image to work with...cloning out the sky by "making" other blocks, etc. Attached Images Last edited by jheu02; 12-28-2014 at 08:11 PM.

12-28-2014, 09:29 PM	#8
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834 Original Poster	Thanks, everyone. Originally posted by Miguel The post work on this shot is a lot of fun. Looks quite metallic. The bit of sky, however, looks too artifacted, so I'd fix this. The bigger issue to me is the black box in the middle of the path. Breaks up the scene with a thud. I can fix the left portion of the sky but the center and right are blown out clouds with harsh CA around backlit weeds.The image is a DNG but I wasn't able to recover that part of the photo. The "black box" weighs approx 1300 pounds; moving it wasn't an option. Photoshopping the box out pushes processing too far for me. Originally posted by jheu02 what about a crop to make it more abstract? That's an interesting take on it. It solves the sky and leftover block on the ground. Cropping emphasizes the back wall and I now see that my focus wasn't good, either.

12-28-2014, 10:35 PM	#9
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Its cooked like a chicken at KFC -- extra (tasty) crispy. That said, I think it works for the image in an artsy way -- the overprocessing isn't unattractive to me... has more of an abstract feel to it. That black box has to go though (can you heal brush it out??)

12-30-2014, 05:54 PM	#10
Matthew Saville Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Southern California Posts: 250	I definitely like that cropped version, although I would say that it's a bit too resolution-harming to be printed big like that. Maybe next time?

12-30-2014, 06:04 PM	#11
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,622	i agree that the surreal look is somewhat interesting vs what the normally processed image may have been. clever. comp is bugging me. a slightly longer lens would have allowed you to frame the lintels more uniformly for that infinity look(eliminating that sliver of blown sky). The black box is a bit distracting and perhaps could be cloned out. the blue stones down front resemble tiles of fine lapis. nice.

12-30-2014, 08:16 PM	#12
pentaxian_tmb Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 436	Originally posted by jheu02 Here's a thought based on other comments...what about a crop to make it more abstract? Leave the processing as is, but get rid of the sky and the block. Try various versions and see what you think. It wouldn't be a Civil War fort any more, but you may find a gem hidden in the rough. Here's 5 seconds of work but you'll have the full image to work with...cloning out the sky by "making" other blocks, etc. Much prefer this version