Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

**Glenn M** · 01-22-2011, 09:53 AM

A dull and cloudy, grey and very still day suddenly turned into something almost abstract. I did very little pp work on the image, and it remains almost as shot.
I wish I had shot it in RAW. Any suggestions for improvement?

Attached Images

grainbelt · 01-22-2011, 01:20 PM

The only way to add interest to this photo is to adjust the brightness and contrast until you get much closer to having pure white and pure black somewhere in the frame. RAW would be better for this, but you can still get a reasonable result working on the JPG.

The image still lacks a subject, or even a structure to anchor the frame. To my eye, the horizon is tilted down somewhat to the right.

No harm in playing to see what you can get out of it, just save a copy first.

Sparkle · 01-22-2011, 02:08 PM

Had noticed this earlier. Looks to me that it has been edited to comply as much as possible to grainbelt's suggestions.

**jbinpg** · 01-22-2011, 05:33 PM

The reflection *is* the subject. It is a underexposed so some brightening would be in order.

grainbelt · 01-22-2011, 05:40 PM

Here's a quick and dirty edit.

**Ash** · 01-22-2011, 11:51 PM

Glenn, with the intent of this image being more abstract, it makes it difficult for the viewer as there is some clear subject matter in the horizon that makes the viewer really want to look hard to find it. In this regard, I think this image doesn't come through as abstract. A straight sky or straight sky/sea interface would have been better for the purposes you set out.
PP won't assist this image much other than if to remove the objects on the horizon.

Sparkle · 01-23-2011, 02:10 AM

I like the edit.

joelovotti · 01-23-2011, 07:59 AM

I like the original image very much as a study in abstract.
It has a very nice impressionist feel to it.
Instead of going brighter (this just makes it another photo of water and clouds) you should go deeper with the abstract impressionist feel.
Play with the white point and tint to get a color pallet that soots your mood.
Try blur or grain.
Have fun.
It is a shame you don't have a RAW file.

Manel Brand · 01-24-2011, 11:55 AM

Originally posted by Glenn M

Any suggestions for improvement?

I suck at photoshop but there you go (kinda following joelovotti comment):

01-22-2011, 09:53 AM	#1
Glenn M Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Isle of Wight uk. Photos: Gallery Posts: 64	January sky Lens: K30mm f2.8 Camera: K100 super Photo Location: Isle of Wight u.k ISO: 200 Aperture: F8 A dull and cloudy, grey and very still day suddenly turned into something almost abstract. I did very little pp work on the image, and it remains almost as shot. I wish I had shot it in RAW. Any suggestions for improvement? Attached Images

01-24-2011, 11:55 AM	#9
Manel Brand Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Porto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 853	Originally posted by Glenn M Any suggestions for improvement? I suck at photoshop but there you go (kinda following joelovotti comment): Last edited by Manel Brand; 01-30-2011 at 04:53 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
January Sunrise	bobell69	Monthly Photo Contests	0	01-16-2011 11:49 AM
POTW #146 3 January to 9 January 2011	woof	Weekly Photo Challenges	70	01-09-2011 03:43 PM
Picture of the Week #96 January 3 to January 17	Iris	Weekly Photo Challenges	51	01-17-2010 11:55 AM
Picture of the Week #95 January 1 to January 10	Oldschool	Weekly Photo Challenges	26	01-10-2010 10:33 AM
January contest	Hype	Monthly Photo Contests	0	01-25-2008 06:56 AM

01-22-2011, 01:20 PM	#2
grainbelt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Albums Posts: 587	The only way to add interest to this photo is to adjust the brightness and contrast until you get much closer to having pure white and pure black somewhere in the frame. RAW would be better for this, but you can still get a reasonable result working on the JPG. The image still lacks a subject, or even a structure to anchor the frame. To my eye, the horizon is tilted down somewhat to the right. No harm in playing to see what you can get out of it, just save a copy first.

01-22-2011, 02:08 PM	#3
Sparkle Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,521	Had noticed this earlier. Looks to me that it has been edited to comply as much as possible to grainbelt's suggestions.

01-22-2011, 05:33 PM	#4
jbinpg Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Prince George, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,546	The reflection is the subject. It is a underexposed so some brightening would be in order.

01-22-2011, 05:40 PM	#5
grainbelt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Albums Posts: 587	Here's a quick and dirty edit.

01-22-2011, 11:51 PM	#6
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Glenn, with the intent of this image being more abstract, it makes it difficult for the viewer as there is some clear subject matter in the horizon that makes the viewer really want to look hard to find it. In this regard, I think this image doesn't come through as abstract. A straight sky or straight sky/sea interface would have been better for the purposes you set out. PP won't assist this image much other than if to remove the objects on the horizon.

01-23-2011, 02:10 AM	#7
Sparkle Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,521	I like the edit.

01-23-2011, 07:59 AM	#8
joelovotti Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: US Photos: Albums Posts: 393	I like the original image very much as a study in abstract. It has a very nice impressionist feel to it. Instead of going brighter (this just makes it another photo of water and clouds) you should go deeper with the abstract impressionist feel. Play with the white point and tint to get a color pallet that soots your mood. Try blur or grain. Have fun. It is a shame you don't have a RAW file.

Landscape January sky

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!