Abstract To dull??

Robin CB · 09-29-2017, 04:39 AM - **2 Likes**

I took this photo of a building reflected in the bell of a tuba at a street concert.

I cropped it in Faststone (to 16:9 ratio) & increased the brightness & saturation a bit, but I think it looks a bit dull. What do you think? How can I improve it?

Attached Images

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photoptimist · 09-29-2017, 09:19 AM - **1 Like**

Very nice!

Honestly, the only change that would make it better is to retake the image when the sun is on the building (so the building does not look gray and dingy against the sky).

Robin CB · 09-29-2017, 11:04 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by photoptimist

Very nice!

Honestly, the only change that would make it better is to retake the image when the sun is on the building (so the building does not look gray and dingy against the sky).

Thank you - very kind.

If I can find a spare tuba player I might just do that :-)

fizzio · 10-01-2017, 02:39 PM - **1 Like**

A lttle post proccess tweaking in Lightroom can really sharpen and brighten this shot up (see attached) - tweaked this just from your poted file, you could get much more from it working from the RAW file if you oriinally shot in RAW format.

Attached Images

pschlute · 10-01-2017, 02:57 PM - **1 Like**

I think Fizzio has slightly overdone the tweaking...I am seeing noise in the image, but about half of what he has applied should be about right. I concurr on shooting in RAW too.

By the way Robin CB, I think this qualifies for one of my top pictures of the year.

ps. Is that sign on the building "altered image" ?

Robin CB · 10-02-2017, 12:13 AM

Originally posted by fizzio

A lttle post proccess tweaking in Lightroom can really sharpen and brighten this shot up (see attached) - tweaked this just from your poted file, you could get much more from it working from the RAW file if you oriinally shot in RAW format.

Thanks fizzio. That's the sort of "pop" I was trying to achieve. I shot in jpg and don't have Lightroom, but will have a play in gimp and see what I can achieve.

**savoche** · 10-02-2017, 12:40 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Robin CB

Thanks fizzio. That's the sort of "pop" I was trying to achieve. I shot in jpg and don't have Lightroom, but will have a play in gimp and see what I can achieve.

I like starting with the "Curves" (or "Levels") adjustment under the Colors menu to increase contrast.

Pulling in the black point (the left-most point on the line/curve) will make the darkest bits darker (just be careful not to clip the blacks too much). And making the curve slightly S shaped will generally increase contrast. If the histogram doesn't quite touch the right edge you can pull in the white point, too, but again, be careful not to clip the whites too much (e.g. you don't want the sky to go completely white).

Also try to avoid over-sharpening. You will notice that dark lines/areas quickly will get a "halo" when you pull the sliders too far.

Robin CB · 10-02-2017, 02:16 AM

Originally posted by pschlute

I think Fizzio has slightly overdone the tweaking...I am seeing noise in the image, but about half of what he has applied should be about right. I concurr on shooting in RAW too.

By the way Robin CB, I think this qualifies for one of my top pictures of the year.

ps. Is that sign on the building "altered image" ?

Thanks Peter - you are very kind. Yes - serendipity provided just the right shop name.

I need to look at RAW - in the Pentax utility if not Lightroom. At the moment I just shoot jpg (still early days as a "serious" snapper).

---------- Post added 10-02-17 at 02:20 AM ----------

Originally posted by savoche

I like starting with the "Curves" (or "Levels") adjustment under the Colors menu to increase contrast.

Pulling in the black point (the left-most point on the line/curve) will make the darkest bits darker (just be careful not to clip the blacks too much). And making the curve slightly S shaped will generally increase contrast. If the histogram doesn't quite touch the right edge you can pull in the white point, too, but again, be careful not to clip the whites too much (e.g. you don't want the sky to go completely white).

Also try to avoid over-sharpening. You will notice that dark lines/areas quickly will get a "halo" when you pull the sliders too far.

Many thanks Savoche. Really helpful. Will give all that a try.

Robin CB · 10-02-2017, 01:44 PM - **1 Like**

How does this look?

a) have I improved the image & b) have I avoided oversharpening? Also - is it too dark now?

Thanks for your thoughts

View image in gallery

fizzio · 10-02-2017, 02:52 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Robin CB

How does this look?

a) have I improved the image & b) have I avoided oversharpening? Also - is it too dark now?

Thanks for your thoughts

View image in gallery

Looking pretty good now Robin CB, you could always brighten it up a touch with the brightness setting or by taking the contrast down a touch if you feel it needs it

pschlute · 10-02-2017, 04:14 PM - **1 Like**

Perfecto !!

Na Horuk · 10-02-2017, 06:22 PM - **1 Like**

Its a really creative shot, I like it a lot! The above PP already brings it to life a little more. I would actually crop a bit more, so there is less of the empty space around the rim of the instrument. That way the subject, the building, would take more of the frame and get more attention

But its a great shot to begin with!

Robin CB · 10-03-2017, 09:42 AM

Originally posted by fizzio

Looking pretty good now Robin CB, you could always brighten it up a touch with the brightness setting or by taking the contrast down a touch if you feel it needs it

Thanks fizzio - will have a play, but know where I am going now :-)

---------- Post added 10-03-17 at 09:42 AM ----------

Originally posted by pschlute

Perfecto !!

Thanks Peter - really appreciate your help :-)

---------- Post added 10-03-17 at 09:47 AM ----------

Originally posted by Na Horuk

Its a really creative shot, I like it a lot! The above PP already brings it to life a little more. I would actually crop a bit more, so there is less of the empty space around the rim of the instrument. That way the subject, the building, would take more of the frame and get more attention

But its a great shot to begin with!

Thanks Na Horuk. I have played around with the crop a fair bit, but I quite like the vignetting effect of the red brick. I do see what you mean though, so I will re-visit that and play some more.

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09-29-2017, 09:19 AM - 1 Like	#2
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,122	Very nice! Honestly, the only change that would make it better is to retake the image when the sun is on the building (so the building does not look gray and dingy against the sky).

09-29-2017, 11:04 AM - 1 Like	#3
Robin CB Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Sussex Posts: 92 Original Poster	Originally posted by photoptimist Very nice! Honestly, the only change that would make it better is to retake the image when the sun is on the building (so the building does not look gray and dingy against the sky). Thank you - very kind. If I can find a spare tuba player I might just do that :-)

10-01-2017, 02:39 PM - 1 Like	#4
fizzio Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Doncaster, South Yorkshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 27	A lttle post proccess tweaking in Lightroom can really sharpen and brighten this shot up (see attached) - tweaked this just from your poted file, you could get much more from it working from the RAW file if you oriinally shot in RAW format. Attached Images

10-01-2017, 02:57 PM - 1 Like	#5
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,198	I think Fizzio has slightly overdone the tweaking...I am seeing noise in the image, but about half of what he has applied should be about right. I concurr on shooting in RAW too. By the way Robin CB, I think this qualifies for one of my top pictures of the year. ps. Is that sign on the building "altered image" ?

10-02-2017, 12:13 AM	#6
Robin CB Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Sussex Posts: 92 Original Poster	Originally posted by fizzio A lttle post proccess tweaking in Lightroom can really sharpen and brighten this shot up (see attached) - tweaked this just from your poted file, you could get much more from it working from the RAW file if you oriinally shot in RAW format. Thanks fizzio. That's the sort of "pop" I was trying to achieve. I shot in jpg and don't have Lightroom, but will have a play in gimp and see what I can achieve.

10-02-2017, 12:40 AM - 1 Like	#7
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Originally posted by Robin CB Thanks fizzio. That's the sort of "pop" I was trying to achieve. I shot in jpg and don't have Lightroom, but will have a play in gimp and see what I can achieve. I like starting with the "Curves" (or "Levels") adjustment under the Colors menu to increase contrast. Pulling in the black point (the left-most point on the line/curve) will make the darkest bits darker (just be careful not to clip the blacks too much). And making the curve slightly S shaped will generally increase contrast. If the histogram doesn't quite touch the right edge you can pull in the white point, too, but again, be careful not to clip the whites too much (e.g. you don't want the sky to go completely white). Also try to avoid over-sharpening. You will notice that dark lines/areas quickly will get a "halo" when you pull the sliders too far.

10-02-2017, 02:16 AM	#8
Robin CB Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Sussex Posts: 92 Original Poster	Originally posted by pschlute I think Fizzio has slightly overdone the tweaking...I am seeing noise in the image, but about half of what he has applied should be about right. I concurr on shooting in RAW too. By the way Robin CB, I think this qualifies for one of my top pictures of the year. ps. Is that sign on the building "altered image" ? Thanks Peter - you are very kind. Yes - serendipity provided just the right shop name. I need to look at RAW - in the Pentax utility if not Lightroom. At the moment I just shoot jpg (still early days as a "serious" snapper). ---------- Post added 10-02-17 at 02:20 AM ---------- Originally posted by savoche I like starting with the "Curves" (or "Levels") adjustment under the Colors menu to increase contrast. Pulling in the black point (the left-most point on the line/curve) will make the darkest bits darker (just be careful not to clip the blacks too much). And making the curve slightly S shaped will generally increase contrast. If the histogram doesn't quite touch the right edge you can pull in the white point, too, but again, be careful not to clip the whites too much (e.g. you don't want the sky to go completely white). Also try to avoid over-sharpening. You will notice that dark lines/areas quickly will get a "halo" when you pull the sliders too far. Many thanks Savoche. Really helpful. Will give all that a try.

10-02-2017, 01:44 PM - 1 Like	#9
Robin CB Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Sussex Posts: 92 Original Poster	How does this look? a) have I improved the image & b) have I avoided oversharpening? Also - is it too dark now? Thanks for your thoughts View image in gallery

10-02-2017, 02:52 PM - 1 Like	#10
fizzio Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Doncaster, South Yorkshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 27	Originally posted by Robin CB How does this look? a) have I improved the image & b) have I avoided oversharpening? Also - is it too dark now? Thanks for your thoughts View image in gallery Looking pretty good now Robin CB, you could always brighten it up a touch with the brightness setting or by taking the contrast down a touch if you feel it needs it

10-02-2017, 04:14 PM - 1 Like	#11
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,198	Perfecto !!

10-02-2017, 06:22 PM - 1 Like	#12
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Its a really creative shot, I like it a lot! The above PP already brings it to life a little more. I would actually crop a bit more, so there is less of the empty space around the rim of the instrument. That way the subject, the building, would take more of the frame and get more attention But its a great shot to begin with!

10-03-2017, 09:42 AM	#13
Robin CB Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Sussex Posts: 92 Original Poster	Originally posted by fizzio Looking pretty good now Robin CB, you could always brighten it up a touch with the brightness setting or by taking the contrast down a touch if you feel it needs it Thanks fizzio - will have a play, but know where I am going now :-) ---------- Post added 10-03-17 at 09:42 AM ---------- Originally posted by pschlute Perfecto !! Thanks Peter - really appreciate your help :-) ---------- Post added 10-03-17 at 09:47 AM ---------- Originally posted by Na Horuk Its a really creative shot, I like it a lot! The above PP already brings it to life a little more. I would actually crop a bit more, so there is less of the empty space around the rim of the instrument. That way the subject, the building, would take more of the frame and get more attention But its a great shot to begin with! Thanks Na Horuk. I have played around with the crop a fair bit, but I quite like the vignetting effect of the red brick. I do see what you mean though, so I will re-visit that and play some more.