Photo critique on why this photo is so unreal looking

Ladale · 04-24-2016, 02:01 PM - **3 Likes**

I took this photo with a Tamron 400mm f4. I shot in raw. I did not do a lot while processing just slid exposure to the right, fill light, contrast curve, click white for balance and sharpened. I may have bump the saturation a little as I do not remember if I did or did not.

I ran the raw file thru Pentax Digital Camera Utility 5 first but when I did not like the jpeg output I converted the file to tiff and then ran the tiff file thru Aftershot Pro 2. Aftershot Pro 2 does not recognize the Q-S1 raw file which is the reason.

Is this just a case of me not getting good focus and trying to make a bad photo work? The photo looks like it came out of a bird book on identify a bird and not a true photo.

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SpecialK · 04-24-2016, 02:05 PM

The plain background makes it stand out a bit unnaturally, perhaps.

**Mikesul** · 04-24-2016, 02:25 PM

The contrast between the colors of the sparrow and the background have produced a really lovely, almost painterly, image. I like it.

bm75 · 04-24-2016, 03:11 PM

The picture is very good for my taste. Well done!

**UncleVanya** · 04-24-2016, 03:24 PM

Originally posted by Ladale

I took this photo with a Tamron 400mm f4. I shot in raw. I did not do a lot while processing just slid exposure to the right, fill light, contrast curve, click white for balance and sharpened. I may have bump the saturation a little as I do not remember if I did or did not.

I ran the raw file thru Pentax Digital Camera Utility 5 first but when I did not like the jpeg output I converted the file to tiff and then ran the tiff file thru Aftershot Pro 2. Aftershot Pro 2 does not recognize the Q-S1 raw file which is the reason.

Is this just a case of me not getting good focus and trying to make a bad photo work? The photo looks like it came out of a bird book on identify a bird and not a true photo.

Apply for a patent!

**Riggomatic** · 04-24-2016, 04:06 PM

The picture does look like a painted picture on a piece of natural canvas.

I like it!

The .dng raw files should open in Aftershot pro 2. Does the QS1 have an option for raw file output choices of PEF or DNG?

reh321 · 04-24-2016, 04:37 PM

Originally posted by Ladale

I took this photo with a Tamron 400mm f4. I shot in raw. I did not do a lot while processing just slid exposure to the right, fill light, contrast curve, click white for balance and sharpened. I may have bump the saturation a little as I do not remember if I did or did not.

I ran the raw file thru Pentax Digital Camera Utility 5 first but when I did not like the jpeg output I converted the file to tiff and then ran the tiff file thru Aftershot Pro 2. Aftershot Pro 2 does not recognize the Q-S1 raw file which is the reason.

Is this just a case of me not getting good focus and trying to make a bad photo work? The photo looks like it came out of a bird book on identify a bird and not a true photo.

I posted pictures of a similar-looking bird as #5016 in https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/136-pentax-q/172196-lets-share-shots-q-335.html#post3617200. The main differences I see is that mine is less saturated and has a natural (bokeh) background

**sergysergy** · 04-24-2016, 05:54 PM - **1 Like**

I think you would expect a blue background (sky)

BROO · 04-24-2016, 06:29 PM

It looks to me like Japanese art. Simple and elegant composition. I like it. Nice effort.

J-L SALVIGNOL · 04-25-2016, 12:21 AM

I fully agree with Broo. This picture is noteworthy and unique.

gatorguy · 04-25-2016, 04:57 AM

I had one shot last week turn out similar to yours. Like you I thought it looked clipped and pasted from another pic. It isn't. There was just a very strong back-light and this is a heavy crop.

normhead · 04-25-2016, 05:47 AM

Looks to me like a combination of backlit, heavy cropping and soft focus. It happens especially with older softer lenses. I returned a Sigma 120-400 that turned every image taken at a distance into an image like that. They all looked like they'd been run through the Photoshop watercolour filter.

Ladale · 04-25-2016, 07:20 AM

Originally posted by SpecialK

The plain background makes it stand out a bit unnaturally, perhaps.

Yes the plain background does make it stand out but how about the painted look?

---------- Post added 04-25-2016 at 10:23 AM ----------

Originally posted by Mikesul

The contrast between the colors of the sparrow and the background have produced a really lovely, almost painterly, image. I like it.

I like it but not so sure when you called it a photo.

---------- Post added 04-25-2016 at 10:27 AM ----------

Originally posted by bm75

The picture is very good for my taste. Well done!

Thank you but I’m sure I did not do anything on purpose here

gatorguy · 04-25-2016, 07:27 AM

Originally posted by normhead

Looks to me like a combination of backlit, heavy cropping and soft focus. It happens especially with older softer lenses. I returned a Sigma 120-400 that turned every image taken at a distance into an image like that. They all looked like they'd been run through the Photoshop watercolour filter.

The OP's or mine Norm? Mine used a DA*200 2.8, 1/2500 F4.5 and ISO 800 due to the dense shadows where the bird was hiding .... and then VERY-heavily cropped with some obvious level adjustments.

Ladale · 04-25-2016, 07:31 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Apply for a patent!

Can only wish I could but I have small chance of duplicating

---------- Post added 04-25-2016 at 10:37 AM ----------

Originally posted by reh321

I posted pictures of a similar-looking bird as #5016 in https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/136-pentax-q/172196-lets-share-shots-q-335.html#post3617200. The main differences I see is that mine is less saturated and has a natural (bokeh) background

I looked at your photo and profile and see that you’re in South Bend, IN. As I’m in southwest Michigan about 40 miles away I think there is a very good chance that it is a similar if not the same type of bird.

---------- Post added 04-25-2016 at 10:46 AM ----------

Originally posted by Riggomatic

The picture does look like a painted picture on a piece of natural canvas.

I like it!

The .dng raw files should open in Aftershot pro 2. Does the QS1 have an option for raw file output choices of PEF or DNG?

Thank you. I looked at the cameras list that was supported in Aftershot Pro 2 and the Q, Q10, and Q7 was listed but not the Q-S1. I have Aftershot Pro and when it would not open the file I tried a trial of Aftershot Pro 2. I will have to check if the Q-S1 has an option for raw file output choices of PEF or DNG as I do not know.

---------- Post added 04-25-2016 at 10:47 AM ----------

Originally posted by Riggomatic

The picture does look like a painted picture on a piece of natural canvas.

I like it!

The .dng raw files should open in Aftershot pro 2. Does the QS1 have an option for raw file output choices of PEF or DNG?

Thank you. I looked at the cameras list that was supported in Aftershot Pro 2 and the Q, Q10, and Q7 was listed but not the Q-S1. I have Aftershot Pro and when it would not open the file I tried a trial of Aftershot Pro 2. I will have to check if the Q-S1 has an option for raw file output choices of PEF or DNG as I do not know.

---------- Post added 04-25-2016 at 10:51 AM ----------

Originally posted by sergysergy

I think you would expect a blue background (sky)

I have no explanation other than the field behind the bird is heavy with sand.

---------- Post added 04-25-2016 at 10:53 AM ----------

Originally posted by BROO

It looks to me like Japanese art. Simple and elegant composition. I like it. Nice effort.

Thank you but small effort on my part

---------- Post added 04-25-2016 at 10:55 AM ----------

Originally posted by J-L SALVIGNOL

I fully agree with Broo. This picture is noteworthy and unique.

Thank you for looking. I find it very interesting that so many like it

---------- Post added 04-25-2016 at 10:59 AM ----------

Originally posted by gatorguy

I had one shot last week turn out similar to yours. Like you I thought it looked clipped and pasted from another pic. It isn't. There was just a very strong back-light and this is a heavy crop.

Yes a similar look. I did not remember cropping and surely I did not do a heavy crop.

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04-24-2016, 02:05 PM	#2
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	The plain background makes it stand out a bit unnaturally, perhaps.

04-24-2016, 02:25 PM	#3
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	The contrast between the colors of the sparrow and the background have produced a really lovely, almost painterly, image. I like it.

04-24-2016, 03:11 PM	#4
bm75 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Italia Photos: Albums Posts: 354	The picture is very good for my taste. Well done!

04-24-2016, 03:24 PM	#5
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by Ladale I took this photo with a Tamron 400mm f4. I shot in raw. I did not do a lot while processing just slid exposure to the right, fill light, contrast curve, click white for balance and sharpened. I may have bump the saturation a little as I do not remember if I did or did not. I ran the raw file thru Pentax Digital Camera Utility 5 first but when I did not like the jpeg output I converted the file to tiff and then ran the tiff file thru Aftershot Pro 2. Aftershot Pro 2 does not recognize the Q-S1 raw file which is the reason. Is this just a case of me not getting good focus and trying to make a bad photo work? The photo looks like it came out of a bird book on identify a bird and not a true photo. Apply for a patent!

04-24-2016, 04:06 PM	#6
Riggomatic Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Auburn, Indiana Photos: Albums Posts: 3,885	The picture does look like a painted picture on a piece of natural canvas. I like it! The .dng raw files should open in Aftershot pro 2. Does the QS1 have an option for raw file output choices of PEF or DNG?

04-24-2016, 04:37 PM	#7
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,177	Originally posted by Ladale I took this photo with a Tamron 400mm f4. I shot in raw. I did not do a lot while processing just slid exposure to the right, fill light, contrast curve, click white for balance and sharpened. I may have bump the saturation a little as I do not remember if I did or did not. I ran the raw file thru Pentax Digital Camera Utility 5 first but when I did not like the jpeg output I converted the file to tiff and then ran the tiff file thru Aftershot Pro 2. Aftershot Pro 2 does not recognize the Q-S1 raw file which is the reason. Is this just a case of me not getting good focus and trying to make a bad photo work? The photo looks like it came out of a bird book on identify a bird and not a true photo. I posted pictures of a similar-looking bird as #5016 in https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/136-pentax-q/172196-lets-share-shots-q-335.html#post3617200. The main differences I see is that mine is less saturated and has a natural (bokeh) background

04-24-2016, 05:54 PM - 1 Like	#8
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,170	I think you would expect a blue background (sky)

04-24-2016, 06:29 PM	#9
BROO Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 655	It looks to me like Japanese art. Simple and elegant composition. I like it. Nice effort.

04-25-2016, 12:21 AM	#10
J-L SALVIGNOL New Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Normandie - France Photos: Gallery Posts: 9	I fully agree with Broo. This picture is noteworthy and unique.

04-25-2016, 04:57 AM	#11
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,092	I had one shot last week turn out similar to yours. Like you I thought it looked clipped and pasted from another pic. It isn't. There was just a very strong back-light and this is a heavy crop.

04-25-2016, 05:47 AM	#12
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Looks to me like a combination of backlit, heavy cropping and soft focus. It happens especially with older softer lenses. I returned a Sigma 120-400 that turned every image taken at a distance into an image like that. They all looked like they'd been run through the Photoshop watercolour filter.

04-25-2016, 07:20 AM	#13
Ladale Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South West Michigan U.S.A Posts: 28 Original Poster	Originally posted by SpecialK The plain background makes it stand out a bit unnaturally, perhaps. Yes the plain background does make it stand out but how about the painted look? ---------- Post added 04-25-2016 at 10:23 AM ---------- Originally posted by Mikesul The contrast between the colors of the sparrow and the background have produced a really lovely, almost painterly, image. I like it. I like it but not so sure when you called it a photo. ---------- Post added 04-25-2016 at 10:27 AM ---------- Originally posted by bm75 The picture is very good for my taste. Well done! Thank you but I’m sure I did not do anything on purpose here

04-25-2016, 07:27 AM	#14
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,092	Originally posted by normhead Looks to me like a combination of backlit, heavy cropping and soft focus. It happens especially with older softer lenses. I returned a Sigma 120-400 that turned every image taken at a distance into an image like that. They all looked like they'd been run through the Photoshop watercolour filter. The OP's or mine Norm? Mine used a DA*200 2.8, 1/2500 F4.5 and ISO 800 due to the dense shadows where the bird was hiding .... and then VERY-heavily cropped with some obvious level adjustments.

04-25-2016, 07:31 AM	#15
Ladale Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South West Michigan U.S.A Posts: 28 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya Apply for a patent! Can only wish I could but I have small chance of duplicating ---------- Post added 04-25-2016 at 10:37 AM ---------- Originally posted by reh321 I posted pictures of a similar-looking bird as #5016 in https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/136-pentax-q/172196-lets-share-shots-q-335.html#post3617200. The main differences I see is that mine is less saturated and has a natural (bokeh) background I looked at your photo and profile and see that you’re in South Bend, IN. As I’m in southwest Michigan about 40 miles away I think there is a very good chance that it is a similar if not the same type of bird. ---------- Post added 04-25-2016 at 10:46 AM ---------- Originally posted by Riggomatic The picture does look like a painted picture on a piece of natural canvas. I like it! The .dng raw files should open in Aftershot pro 2. Does the QS1 have an option for raw file output choices of PEF or DNG? Thank you. I looked at the cameras list that was supported in Aftershot Pro 2 and the Q, Q10, and Q7 was listed but not the Q-S1. I have Aftershot Pro and when it would not open the file I tried a trial of Aftershot Pro 2. I will have to check if the Q-S1 has an option for raw file output choices of PEF or DNG as I do not know. ---------- Post added 04-25-2016 at 10:47 AM ---------- Originally posted by Riggomatic The picture does look like a painted picture on a piece of natural canvas. I like it! The .dng raw files should open in Aftershot pro 2. Does the QS1 have an option for raw file output choices of PEF or DNG? Thank you. I looked at the cameras list that was supported in Aftershot Pro 2 and the Q, Q10, and Q7 was listed but not the Q-S1. I have Aftershot Pro and when it would not open the file I tried a trial of Aftershot Pro 2. I will have to check if the Q-S1 has an option for raw file output choices of PEF or DNG as I do not know. ---------- Post added 04-25-2016 at 10:51 AM ---------- Originally posted by sergysergy I think you would expect a blue background (sky) I have no explanation other than the field behind the bird is heavy with sand. ---------- Post added 04-25-2016 at 10:53 AM ---------- Originally posted by BROO It looks to me like Japanese art. Simple and elegant composition. I like it. Nice effort. Thank you but small effort on my part ---------- Post added 04-25-2016 at 10:55 AM ---------- Originally posted by J-L SALVIGNOL I fully agree with Broo. This picture is noteworthy and unique. Thank you for looking. I find it very interesting that so many like it ---------- Post added 04-25-2016 at 10:59 AM ---------- Originally posted by gatorguy I had one shot last week turn out similar to yours. Like you I thought it looked clipped and pasted from another pic. It isn't. There was just a very strong back-light and this is a heavy crop. Yes a similar look. I did not remember cropping and surely I did not do a heavy crop.