Misc Honest opinions on technical aspects

Pentexan · 12-29-2010, 06:58 PM

I would appreciate honest critiques on the following two photos. Not so much the subject itself, but the IQ, color, bokeh, sharpness, and noise levels.

Feel free to dis the cat as much as you like :-)

Both are:
Pentax Kx with kit 18-55
ISO 3200
f 6.7
Tv 1/8
55mm
slight WB adjusting

the first one has 100% noise reduction in PSE 9.0

the second one has 50% noise reduction, different WB

Attached Images

eagle2 · 12-29-2010, 09:12 PM

Pentexan: Your shots of the cat seem sharp and quite clean to me!

They remind me of our old cat of 18 years "Frank" who recently passed away.

Good shots.

SpecialK · 12-29-2010, 10:26 PM

Well, I was going to say.. they look a bit soft. But, I like #2 better because it looks sharper.

Tommot1965 · 12-29-2010, 10:43 PM

the colour looks warm and very soothing .. noise levels in both are very good..the first image is ever so slightly softer than the second..so Id choose No 2 ....the bokeh is pleasant....the limited DOF at F 6.7 would suggest that you were very close to the cat...nice shot..nice cat

thoughton · 12-30-2010, 03:50 AM

Bokeh, noise and colour are all very good. I can barely see any difference between them but I suppose 2 might be ever so slightly sharper. Both images are too soft though. I suppose that might be partially a result of using the kit lens at 55mm.

**Ash** · 12-30-2010, 04:29 AM

There may well be a loss of contrast in #1 as compared with #2, but it is not overtly obvious. Looks fine as is - lighting could have been more dramatic, but with the Christmas lights behind the cat, it would have instigated some incongruence.

Sparkle · 12-30-2010, 05:35 PM

The EXIF detail should be included. IMO, the individual fur hairs should be quite apparent. I find the background dist rating. My preference is for a black cat surrounded by a colour that distinguishes it. So honestly IMO the IQ is poor as is the color, bokeh, sharpness, and noise level of each. For what it is worth, that is as honest as I can be, as I see them.

joelovotti · 12-30-2010, 06:44 PM

I going #2

No seriously I do like the second one better. The first is too soft. You have a good sharp capture in the eyes and with a black cat, that's all you really need. I really like the crown of Xmas tree lights.

I still think the WB is off but not too bad.

be well,
joe

**Heinrich Lohmann** · 01-01-2011, 04:30 PM

Pentexan, it is a good picture but could stand some PP, so instead of writing a long story I'll show you the way I would have done it:

Adjusted: color, contrast and brightness and a little local sharpening.

Take care,

Tommot1965 · 01-01-2011, 06:46 PM

sorry Heinrich

me no like...the OP version is richer and more relaxed..yours looks stark and uninviting... whether yours is more like the original colours..only the OP can tell..... but being true to what you see.. doesn't always cut it either....

Pentexan · 01-02-2011, 07:05 PM

Thanks for the input. I'm still playing around and learning new things, so I thought this close up would be a good test for both me and the camera.

Originally posted by eagle2

Pentexan: Your shots of the cat seem sharp and quite clean to me!

They remind me of our old cat of 18 years "Frank" who recently passed away.

Good shots.

Originally posted by SpecialK

Well, I was going to say.. they look a bit soft. But, I like #2 better because it looks sharper.

Originally posted by Tommot1965

the colour looks warm and very soothing .. noise levels in both are very good..the first image is ever so slightly softer than the second..so Id choose No 2 ....the bokeh is pleasant....the limited DOF at F 6.7 would suggest that you were very close to the cat...nice shot..nice cat

Originally posted by thoughton

Bokeh, noise and colour are all very good. I can barely see any difference between them but I suppose 2 might be ever so slightly sharper. Both images are too soft though. I suppose that might be partially a result of using the kit lens at 55mm.

Originally posted by Ash

There may well be a loss of contrast in #1 as compared with #2, but it is not overtly obvious. Looks fine as is - lighting could have been more dramatic, but with the Christmas lights behind the cat, it would have instigated some incongruence.

Pentexan · 01-02-2011, 07:09 PM

I thought the EXIF is what I included at the top of the post - maybe I have the wrong terminology.

Originally posted by Sparkle

The EXIF detail should be included. IMO, the individual fur hairs should be quite apparent. I find the background dist rating. My preference is for a black cat surrounded by a colour that distinguishes it. So honestly IMO the IQ is poor as is the color, bokeh, sharpness, and noise level of each. For what it is worth, that is as honest as I can be, as I see them.

Pentexan · 01-02-2011, 07:12 PM

Thanks! May I ask the changes to the brightness/contrast, e.g. +/-

Originally posted by Heinrich Lohmann

Pentexan, it is a good picture but could stand some PP, so instead of writing a long story I'll show you the way I would have done it:

Adjusted: color, contrast and brightness and a little local sharpening.

Take care,

01-02-2011, 07:05 PM	#11
Pentexan New Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 17 Original Poster	Thanks! Thanks for the input. I'm still playing around and learning new things, so I thought this close up would be a good test for both me and the camera. Originally posted by eagle2 Pentexan: Your shots of the cat seem sharp and quite clean to me! They remind me of our old cat of 18 years "Frank" who recently passed away. Good shots. Originally posted by SpecialK Well, I was going to say.. they look a bit soft. But, I like #2 better because it looks sharper. Originally posted by Tommot1965 the colour looks warm and very soothing .. noise levels in both are very good..the first image is ever so slightly softer than the second..so Id choose No 2 ....the bokeh is pleasant....the limited DOF at F 6.7 would suggest that you were very close to the cat...nice shot..nice cat Originally posted by thoughton Bokeh, noise and colour are all very good. I can barely see any difference between them but I suppose 2 might be ever so slightly sharper. Both images are too soft though. I suppose that might be partially a result of using the kit lens at 55mm. Originally posted by Ash There may well be a loss of contrast in #1 as compared with #2, but it is not overtly obvious. Looks fine as is - lighting could have been more dramatic, but with the Christmas lights behind the cat, it would have instigated some incongruence.

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12-29-2010, 06:58 PM	#1
Pentexan New Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 17	Honest opinions on technical aspects ISO: 3200 I would appreciate honest critiques on the following two photos. Not so much the subject itself, but the IQ, color, bokeh, sharpness, and noise levels. Feel free to dis the cat as much as you like :-) Both are: Pentax Kx with kit 18-55 ISO 3200 f 6.7 Tv 1/8 55mm slight WB adjusting the first one has 100% noise reduction in PSE 9.0 the second one has 50% noise reduction, different WB Attached Images

12-29-2010, 09:12 PM	#2
eagle2 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southwest Posts: 28	Pentexan: Your shots of the cat seem sharp and quite clean to me! They remind me of our old cat of 18 years "Frank" who recently passed away. Good shots.

12-29-2010, 10:26 PM	#3
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Well, I was going to say.. they look a bit soft. But, I like #2 better because it looks sharper.

12-29-2010, 10:43 PM	#4
Tommot1965 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,026	the colour looks warm and very soothing .. noise levels in both are very good..the first image is ever so slightly softer than the second..so Id choose No 2 ....the bokeh is pleasant....the limited DOF at F 6.7 would suggest that you were very close to the cat...nice shot..nice cat

12-30-2010, 03:50 AM	#5
thoughton Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Saffron Walden, Essex Photos: Gallery Posts: 362	Bokeh, noise and colour are all very good. I can barely see any difference between them but I suppose 2 might be ever so slightly sharper. Both images are too soft though. I suppose that might be partially a result of using the kit lens at 55mm.

12-30-2010, 04:29 AM	#6
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	There may well be a loss of contrast in #1 as compared with #2, but it is not overtly obvious. Looks fine as is - lighting could have been more dramatic, but with the Christmas lights behind the cat, it would have instigated some incongruence.

12-30-2010, 05:35 PM	#7
Sparkle Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,521	The EXIF detail should be included. IMO, the individual fur hairs should be quite apparent. I find the background dist rating. My preference is for a black cat surrounded by a colour that distinguishes it. So honestly IMO the IQ is poor as is the color, bokeh, sharpness, and noise level of each. For what it is worth, that is as honest as I can be, as I see them.

12-30-2010, 06:44 PM	#8
joelovotti Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: US Photos: Albums Posts: 393	I going #2 No seriously I do like the second one better. The first is too soft. You have a good sharp capture in the eyes and with a black cat, that's all you really need. I really like the crown of Xmas tree lights. I still think the WB is off but not too bad. be well, joe

01-01-2011, 04:30 PM	#9
Heinrich Lohmann Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Airdrie, Alberta Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,097	Pentexan, it is a good picture but could stand some PP, so instead of writing a long story I'll show you the way I would have done it: Adjusted: color, contrast and brightness and a little local sharpening. Take care,

01-01-2011, 06:46 PM	#10
Tommot1965 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,026	sorry Heinrich me no like...the OP version is richer and more relaxed..yours looks stark and uninviting... whether yours is more like the original colours..only the OP can tell..... but being true to what you see.. doesn't always cut it either....

01-02-2011, 07:09 PM	#12
Pentexan New Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 17 Original Poster	I thought the EXIF is what I included at the top of the post - maybe I have the wrong terminology. Originally posted by Sparkle The EXIF detail should be included. IMO, the individual fur hairs should be quite apparent. I find the background dist rating. My preference is for a black cat surrounded by a colour that distinguishes it. So honestly IMO the IQ is poor as is the color, bokeh, sharpness, and noise level of each. For what it is worth, that is as honest as I can be, as I see them.

01-02-2011, 07:12 PM	#13
Pentexan New Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 17 Original Poster	Thanks! May I ask the changes to the brightness/contrast, e.g. +/- Originally posted by Heinrich Lohmann Pentexan, it is a good picture but could stand some PP, so instead of writing a long story I'll show you the way I would have done it: Adjusted: color, contrast and brightness and a little local sharpening. Take care,