Nature How to improve this photo?

Drizzt · 05-08-2015, 11:01 AM

Hi.

This shot is obviously focused on the wrong point (altough I don't dislike it that much) and have a tedious background, but the zoo I take this photo at seems to have a love for uniform terrains which colors match the one of the animals in the exhibit, so...there were not that much options

What I'm trying to understand now -and the critiques I'm searching for- is how to improve my photos during RAW development. No retouches, filters and such, just the basic Silkypix's tools.

Thx

Attached Images

TaoMaas · 05-08-2015, 02:36 PM - **1 Like**

The first rule of wildlife photography is that the eye must be sharp. Humans look to the eyes to establish a relationship. The background could be post-processed to compliment the picture. Focus can't really be fixed (within reason).

jawsy · 05-09-2015, 12:57 AM

Try adjusting the exposure +0.5 and saturation (+30 in LR5.) The result is a bit brighter and vibrant.

jawsy · 05-09-2015, 06:19 AM

Originally posted by TaoMaas

The first rule of wildlife photography is that the eye must be sharp. Humans look to the eyes to establish a relationship. The background could be post-processed to compliment the picture. Focus can't really be fixed (within reason).

Really? And a 'like'? Drizzt acknowledged from the outset that the focus point was off and requested specific feedback with this in mind. The first rule of answering a question is to read the question.

**hjoseph7** · 05-09-2015, 06:46 AM

I like the background and composition, but the unfocused beak is a little distracting.

TaoMaas · 05-09-2015, 08:35 AM

Originally posted by jawsy

Really? And a 'like'? Drizzt acknowledged from the outset that the focus point was off and requested specific feedback with this in mind. The first rule of answering a question is to read the question.

Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? If a shot like this isn't sharp, what else is there to discuss? He asked for post-processing help, but that can't fix this shot! Telling him otherwise would be lying. To improve it, we need to back up a few steps. As I said, the eye needs to be sharp. Also, the angle is too high. Get down on your belly if that's what's needed. If the backgrounds are similar to the subjects, then use light to separate them.

Edited to add: And...what was your contribution to answering his question?

SpecialK · 05-09-2015, 08:49 AM

Just brightened, added contrast, minor crop.

Attachment 267819

Last edited by SpecialK; 12-29-2016 at 11:10 AM.

Drizzt · 05-09-2015, 09:12 AM

Originally posted by TaoMaas

Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? If a shot like this isn't sharp, what else is there to discuss? He asked for post-processing help, but that can't fix this shot! Telling him otherwise would be lying. To improve it, we need to back up a few steps. As I said, the eye needs to be sharp. Also, the angle is too high. Get down on your belly if that's what's needed. If the backgrounds are similar to the subjects, then use light to separate them.

Edited to add: And...what was your contribution to answering his question?

First things first: I did post in the wrong forum. I didn't notice there is a PP forum, so this is entirely my fault. I'm going to open a new thread there, this can be closed by a mod, no problem at all for me.

That said...shot is focused wrong because I was too busy trying to not be pinpointed in the...errr...male parts of my body I'm fond of, by a 2 feet beak moving damnly fast

So, as I KNOW it is out of focus, I wrote it at the beginning of the post and asked for comments on everything else, something like SpecialK corrections or jawsy's exposure suggestions.

On a side note: I obviously like all those perfect photos taken from the right angle, with a perfect focus, full of colors, vibrants, etc. etc...but I do shot for myself during my trips and I do like my shots to be just a bit "unconfortable", maybe just a little bit different from the usual "holiday's shots" all perfectly composed (and that is exactly what I shot, tbh). Not all of them, but I do not dislike from time to time a strange perspective, the focus not exactly where it should be, things like such.
Not being a photographer, but just a guy going 'round with a camera, I can bear a little bit of freedom and oddeness (and realism) in my photos

(the focus point in this shot is still wrong, however

)

FreeSpirit9 · 05-09-2015, 09:12 AM

I suggest that you use a depth of field setting of between 5.6 and 8. This would eliminate your focus issue. Nice pic just the same, the beak detail would have been impressive if the pic would have been all in focus. No pp can help you with your pic other than changing the contrast and maybe exposure settings. But this won't help you improve the focus which is the primary problem here imho.

OldGeaser · 05-09-2015, 11:39 AM - **1 Like**

Or you could take things to their extremes.

jawsy · 05-10-2015, 12:52 AM

Originally posted by TaoMaas

Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?

Something like that. Please accept my apologies for a poorly expressed sentiment.

noelpolar · 05-10-2015, 01:18 AM

When I've fluffed a shot..... but for one reason or another I still want to keep the shot (such as missed focus) .... I try to look into why it's of interest...... or what is the narrative that I want the shot to have..... then I decide on a direction to process it that fits with the narrative.

maybe something even silly, such as a 70's post card look such as this

https://flic.kr/p/p5dBB8

TaoMaas · 05-10-2015, 05:27 AM

Originally posted by jawsy

Something like that. Please accept my apologies for a poorly expressed sentiment.

Not a problem.

**Bruce Clark** · 05-10-2015, 04:40 PM

I am not familiar with SilkyPix so I can not advise on its use. Sometimes however a Black & White conversion can "rescue" an flat image.

clockworkrat · 05-15-2015, 03:06 AM

I might try cropping the image so the beak takes on a more prominent role, and bump up the contrast and saturation as OldGeaser has demonstrated.

05-08-2015, 11:01 AM	#1
Drizzt New Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Everywhere Posts: 15	How to improve this photo? Hi. This shot is obviously focused on the wrong point (altough I don't dislike it that much) and have a tedious background, but the zoo I take this photo at seems to have a love for uniform terrains which colors match the one of the animals in the exhibit, so...there were not that much options What I'm trying to understand now -and the critiques I'm searching for- is how to improve my photos during RAW development. No retouches, filters and such, just the basic Silkypix's tools. Thx Attached Images

05-09-2015, 08:35 AM	#6
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	Originally posted by jawsy Really? And a 'like'? Drizzt acknowledged from the outset that the focus point was off and requested specific feedback with this in mind. The first rule of answering a question is to read the question. Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? If a shot like this isn't sharp, what else is there to discuss? He asked for post-processing help, but that can't fix this shot! Telling him otherwise would be lying. To improve it, we need to back up a few steps. As I said, the eye needs to be sharp. Also, the angle is too high. Get down on your belly if that's what's needed. If the backgrounds are similar to the subjects, then use light to separate them. Edited to add: And...what was your contribution to answering his question? Last edited by TaoMaas; 05-09-2015 at 08:41 AM.

05-09-2015, 11:39 AM - 1 Like	#10
OldGeaser Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA Posts: 221	Or you could take things to their extremes. Attached Images

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05-08-2015, 02:36 PM - 1 Like	#2
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	The first rule of wildlife photography is that the eye must be sharp. Humans look to the eyes to establish a relationship. The background could be post-processed to compliment the picture. Focus can't really be fixed (within reason).

05-09-2015, 12:57 AM	#3
jawsy Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 422	Try adjusting the exposure +0.5 and saturation (+30 in LR5.) The result is a bit brighter and vibrant.

05-09-2015, 06:19 AM	#4
jawsy Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 422	Originally posted by TaoMaas The first rule of wildlife photography is that the eye must be sharp. Humans look to the eyes to establish a relationship. The background could be post-processed to compliment the picture. Focus can't really be fixed (within reason). Really? And a 'like'? Drizzt acknowledged from the outset that the focus point was off and requested specific feedback with this in mind. The first rule of answering a question is to read the question.

05-09-2015, 06:46 AM	#5
hjoseph7 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,047	I like the background and composition, but the unfocused beak is a little distracting.

05-09-2015, 08:49 AM	#7
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Just brightened, added contrast, minor crop. Attachment 267819 Last edited by SpecialK; 12-29-2016 at 11:10 AM.

05-09-2015, 09:12 AM	#8
Drizzt New Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Everywhere Posts: 15 Original Poster	Originally posted by TaoMaas Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? If a shot like this isn't sharp, what else is there to discuss? He asked for post-processing help, but that can't fix this shot! Telling him otherwise would be lying. To improve it, we need to back up a few steps. As I said, the eye needs to be sharp. Also, the angle is too high. Get down on your belly if that's what's needed. If the backgrounds are similar to the subjects, then use light to separate them. Edited to add: And...what was your contribution to answering his question? First things first: I did post in the wrong forum. I didn't notice there is a PP forum, so this is entirely my fault. I'm going to open a new thread there, this can be closed by a mod, no problem at all for me. That said...shot is focused wrong because I was too busy trying to not be pinpointed in the...errr...male parts of my body I'm fond of, by a 2 feet beak moving damnly fast So, as I KNOW it is out of focus, I wrote it at the beginning of the post and asked for comments on everything else, something like SpecialK corrections or jawsy's exposure suggestions. On a side note: I obviously like all those perfect photos taken from the right angle, with a perfect focus, full of colors, vibrants, etc. etc...but I do shot for myself during my trips and I do like my shots to be just a bit "unconfortable", maybe just a little bit different from the usual "holiday's shots" all perfectly composed (and that is exactly what I shot, tbh). Not all of them, but I do not dislike from time to time a strange perspective, the focus not exactly where it should be, things like such. Not being a photographer, but just a guy going 'round with a camera, I can bear a little bit of freedom and oddeness (and realism) in my photos (the focus point in this shot is still wrong, however )

05-09-2015, 09:12 AM	#9
FreeSpirit9 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Queensland, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 557	I suggest that you use a depth of field setting of between 5.6 and 8. This would eliminate your focus issue. Nice pic just the same, the beak detail would have been impressive if the pic would have been all in focus. No pp can help you with your pic other than changing the contrast and maybe exposure settings. But this won't help you improve the focus which is the primary problem here imho.

05-10-2015, 12:52 AM	#11
jawsy Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 422	Originally posted by TaoMaas Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? Something like that. Please accept my apologies for a poorly expressed sentiment.

05-10-2015, 01:18 AM	#12
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	When I've fluffed a shot..... but for one reason or another I still want to keep the shot (such as missed focus) .... I try to look into why it's of interest...... or what is the narrative that I want the shot to have..... then I decide on a direction to process it that fits with the narrative. maybe something even silly, such as a 70's post card look such as this https://flic.kr/p/p5dBB8

05-10-2015, 05:27 AM	#13
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	Originally posted by jawsy Something like that. Please accept my apologies for a poorly expressed sentiment. Not a problem.

05-10-2015, 04:40 PM	#14
Bruce Clark Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ocean Grove, Victoria Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,458	I am not familiar with SilkyPix so I can not advise on its use. Sometimes however a Black & White conversion can "rescue" an flat image.

05-15-2015, 03:06 AM	#15
clockworkrat Veteran Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Black Isle, Scotland Posts: 405	I might try cropping the image so the beak takes on a more prominent role, and bump up the contrast and saturation as OldGeaser has demonstrated.