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Chris_K · 06-27-2020, 04:55 AM

Hi everyone;
I wanted to take a shot of this excavator at night; I used DA-15 to put it all within the frame and the close distance gave me a bit of the foreground emphasis. Still, I'm not quite happy with it. The composition is roughly like I wanted but it looks to me like it lacks this "night" feel I wanted to achieve. It was dark, only some streetlamps nearby. Maybe it is too bright? But taking the exposure down takes the details away and it doesn't look better (or I do it the wrong way).
Any suggestions on what to improve are welcome. The camera had a hard time establishing the WB so here are two options. Thanks in advance.

**ProfessorBuzz** · 06-27-2020, 06:19 AM

I prefer the upper one, feels warmer, not gloomy. Perhaps a bit of flash or light painting to brighten the lower parts of the digger scoop and tracks?

**Kerrowdown** · 06-27-2020, 08:18 AM

Originally posted by Chris_K

The excavator

A wee suggestion if I may... if you remember your basic colour wheel. By adding yellow to the image, it will help neutralise blue and lighten up the machine at the same time.

Chris_K · 06-27-2020, 10:18 AM

Originally posted by ProfessorBuzz

Perhaps a bit of flash or light painting to brighten the lower parts of the digger scoop and tracks?

Thanks; if it's still there in a day or two, I'll try this out

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

A wee suggestion if I may... if you remember your basic colour wheel. By adding yellow to the image, it will help neutralise blue and lighten up the machine at the same time.

I tried; it does look a bit better! Thanks

Chris_K · 06-27-2020, 12:14 PM

Here it is after a little improvement - more yellow allowed for lowering the exposure without losing details in interesting areas. Comments and critique are most welcome!
Edit: I also cut out the light on the right edge; it might have been a bit disturbing.

Bernie · 06-27-2020, 01:01 PM

Is this closer to what you are trying to achieve?
Adjusted white balance in ACR by sampling white in letters CAT, raised exposure, darkened the sky, widened the image
Bernie

Chris_K · 06-27-2020, 01:19 PM

Originally posted by Bernie

s this closer to what you are trying to achieve?

Partly yes - the yellow and the blue cooperate better now, but it's too bright for a night shot.
I guess the problem is that I don't have a specific look in mind - just feel like it could be better. Thank you for your effort!

06-27-2020, 04:55 AM	#1
Chris_K Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Poland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,800	The excavator Lens: SMC-DA 15 Camera: K-50 Photo Location: Poland ISO: 400 Shutter Speed: Above 6s Aperture: F6.7 Hi everyone; I wanted to take a shot of this excavator at night; I used DA-15 to put it all within the frame and the close distance gave me a bit of the foreground emphasis. Still, I'm not quite happy with it. The composition is roughly like I wanted but it looks to me like it lacks this "night" feel I wanted to achieve. It was dark, only some streetlamps nearby. Maybe it is too bright? But taking the exposure down takes the details away and it doesn't look better (or I do it the wrong way). Any suggestions on what to improve are welcome. The camera had a hard time establishing the WB so here are two options. Thanks in advance.

06-27-2020, 12:14 PM	#5
Chris_K Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Poland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,800 Original Poster	Here it is after a little improvement - more yellow allowed for lowering the exposure without losing details in interesting areas. Comments and critique are most welcome! Edit: I also cut out the light on the right edge; it might have been a bit disturbing. Last edited by Chris_K; 06-27-2020 at 12:18 PM. Reason: additional info

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06-27-2020, 06:19 AM	#2
ProfessorBuzz Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 1,903	I prefer the upper one, feels warmer, not gloomy. Perhaps a bit of flash or light painting to brighten the lower parts of the digger scoop and tracks?

06-27-2020, 08:18 AM	#3
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,867	Originally posted by Chris_K The excavator A wee suggestion if I may... if you remember your basic colour wheel. By adding yellow to the image, it will help neutralise blue and lighten up the machine at the same time.

06-27-2020, 10:18 AM	#4
Chris_K Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Poland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,800 Original Poster	Originally posted by ProfessorBuzz Perhaps a bit of flash or light painting to brighten the lower parts of the digger scoop and tracks? Thanks; if it's still there in a day or two, I'll try this out Originally posted by Kerrowdown A wee suggestion if I may... if you remember your basic colour wheel. By adding yellow to the image, it will help neutralise blue and lighten up the machine at the same time. I tried; it does look a bit better! Thanks

06-27-2020, 01:19 PM	#7
Chris_K Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Poland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,800 Original Poster	Originally posted by Bernie s this closer to what you are trying to achieve? Partly yes - the yellow and the blue cooperate better now, but it's too bright for a night shot. I guess the problem is that I don't have a specific look in mind - just feel like it could be better. Thank you for your effort!

Machinery The excavator

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