Welder

Welder · 06:24 AM

Just a guy welding.

S-M-C Takumar 105/2.8

Buddha Jones · 10-29-2007, 07:17 AM

The picture looks a little grainy, I am thinking it is because of the post. But I love the comp and the colors very very much.

JamesD · 10-29-2007, 07:27 AM

I'd like to see it in a high contrast black and white.

Mike Cash · 10-29-2007, 07:29 AM

Thanks.

The upper portion's grain comes from it having been considerably brighter and "washed out" in the original. I used the gradient tool to create layer masks that broke roughly over the line of the blue container at the welder's back and then adjusted the dark foreground up a bit and tried to tone down the bright stuff behind (above) that.

I ran it through Noiseware and it came out somewhat better:

Mike Cash · 10-29-2007, 07:46 AM

Originally posted by JamesD

I'd like to see it in a high contrast black and white.

Is something like this what you're talking about?

In GIMP:

1. Decompose to RGB
2. Layers bottom to top: B, G, R
3. B layer "Normal" 100%
4. G layer "Addition" 60%
5. R layer "Addition" 60%
6. Duplicate R layer, move to top, invert, "Burn" 60%

Fritz · 10-29-2007, 08:42 AM

I like it. The grain doesn't bother me a bit on this kind of shot. I think it fits the industrial theme just right.

What kind of sharpening technique are you using with the GIMP? Unsharp mask? For myself I've been trying to figure out what works best. Thanks.

Peter Zack · 10-29-2007, 08:45 AM

I like the harsh look and vibrant colour of the shot Mike. The second version works a bit better with a bit less noise. I might like to have seen that white container in the upper right toned down a bit but otherwise a good shot that has colours which jump off the screen.

davemdsn · 10-29-2007, 08:58 AM

Grain used to be used as artistic expression. It may not be good for all photos, but very effective for others. I like it in this one.

Mike Cash · 10-29-2007, 12:25 PM

Thanks, all.

I thought about adding faux grain, but I must admit to carelessly not even noticing all the noise in the upper section of the first version.

I sharpen with Unsharp Mask, which largely remains a mystery to me so I generally use the same settings on every shot (0.5 / 5 / 0). Sometimes as an alternative or in addition to Unsharp Mask I will use a 3 pixel bump map. Depending on the subject it can really add some sharpness and "texture" to a shot.

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10-29-2007, 07:17 AM	#2
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	The picture looks a little grainy, I am thinking it is because of the post. But I love the comp and the colors very very much.

10-29-2007, 07:27 AM	#3
JamesD Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 536	I'd like to see it in a high contrast black and white.

10-29-2007, 07:29 AM	#4
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950 Original Poster	Thanks. The upper portion's grain comes from it having been considerably brighter and "washed out" in the original. I used the gradient tool to create layer masks that broke roughly over the line of the blue container at the welder's back and then adjusted the dark foreground up a bit and tried to tone down the bright stuff behind (above) that. I ran it through Noiseware and it came out somewhat better:

10-29-2007, 07:46 AM	#5
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950 Original Poster	Originally posted by JamesD I'd like to see it in a high contrast black and white. Is something like this what you're talking about? In GIMP: 1. Decompose to RGB 2. Layers bottom to top: B, G, R 3. B layer "Normal" 100% 4. G layer "Addition" 60% 5. R layer "Addition" 60% 6. Duplicate R layer, move to top, invert, "Burn" 60%

10-29-2007, 08:42 AM	#6
Fritz Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tillamook, OR Posts: 1,222	I like it. The grain doesn't bother me a bit on this kind of shot. I think it fits the industrial theme just right. What kind of sharpening technique are you using with the GIMP? Unsharp mask? For myself I've been trying to figure out what works best. Thanks.

10-29-2007, 08:45 AM	#7
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	I like the harsh look and vibrant colour of the shot Mike. The second version works a bit better with a bit less noise. I might like to have seen that white container in the upper right toned down a bit but otherwise a good shot that has colours which jump off the screen.

10-29-2007, 08:58 AM	#8
davemdsn Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,413	Grain used to be used as artistic expression. It may not be good for all photos, but very effective for others. I like it in this one.

10-29-2007, 12:25 PM	#9
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950 Original Poster	Thanks, all. I thought about adding faux grain, but I must admit to carelessly not even noticing all the noise in the upper section of the first version. I sharpen with Unsharp Mask, which largely remains a mystery to me so I generally use the same settings on every shot (0.5 / 5 / 0). Sometimes as an alternative or in addition to Unsharp Mask I will use a 3 pixel bump map. Depending on the subject it can really add some sharpness and "texture" to a shot.