2013 365 Day Project - motoring|underground

VicSkimmr · #1 01-02-2013, 02:36 AM

One of my new years resolutions is to work on my photo editing while I save up for a new camera body. So I decided I'd work on a 365 Day Photo Project where I focused primarily on editing. Some of these shots will be quite old, some will be brand new. I'll post the original and then the edited versions to compare

Constructive criticism is welcome as always. Don't be afraid to be an ass, I can take it.

January 1st, 2013

Figured I'd start with a simple one to get things going.

Finished Product:

Original:

VicSkimmr · #2 01-03-2013, 02:12 AM

January 2nd, 2013

The second thing I need work on, my flash.

xnotfunkylex · #3 01-03-2013, 02:38 AM

I like that watch shot a lot.

Drew · #4 01-03-2013, 04:17 AM

I like the watch shot, too. The only thing I don't like about the first one is it seems like some of the rich colors are toned down and lost in the edit. I see why you did it, just throwing it out there.

xnotfunkylex · #5 01-03-2013, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew

I like the watch shot, too. The only thing I don't like about the first one is it seems like some of the rich colors are toned down and lost in the edit. I see why you did it, just throwing it out there.

What colors are you talking about Drew? I want to be a better editor so this will help my eye out.

VicSkimmr · #6 01-03-2013, 01:36 PM

The thing I don't like about the first one is their skin tones. It doesn't look that bad on my monitor at home, but when I upload to flickr it shows off every little blemish on their faces. I made sure that no additional sharpening is applied when uploading, so I'm not sure what's going on. The original has much, much better looking skin tones.

Drew · #7 01-03-2013, 02:11 PM

That's part of what I noticed. The color on the wood in the background, their skin tone, and their hair color seems a little less washed out in the original. I figured you want some constructive criticism, hope you don't mind.

Drew · #8 01-03-2013, 02:16 PM

Also, I REALLY like your macro shots. I feel like you do a great job balancing what needs to be highlighted and what should be darkened in a macro shot. The watch seems to really focus on the fine details, and the depth of field works well with it.

VicSkimmr · #9 01-03-2013, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew

That's part of what I noticed. The color on the wood in the background, their skin tone, and their hair color seems a little less washed out in the original. I figured you want some constructive criticism, hope you don't mind.

I just want to make sure we're on the same page. The first shot is the edited, the second is the original. To my eyes the edited version has richer colors.

I do most definitely want constructive criticism. People shots are hard and I need to learn a different style of editing them, so anything people notice that looks off I definitely want to be pointed out. I think tonight I'm going to go in and create a layer on their faces to bring the highlights down a tad. I'm thinking maybe it looks bad because the highlights are too bright on their faces.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew

Also, I REALLY like your macro shots. I feel like you do a great job balancing what needs to be highlighted and what should be darkened in a macro shot. The watch seems to really focus on the fine details, and the depth of field works well with it.

Thanks

It's mostly luck. My 40D has a craptastic preview screen so I really can't tell what is in focus until I upload it. I look at the histogram, make sure I'm not losing much detail and pray everything is in focus.

Drew · #10 01-03-2013, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VicSkimmr

I just want to make sure we're on the same page. The first shot is the edited, the second is the original. To my eyes the edited version has richer colors.

I do most definitely want constructive criticism. People shots are hard and I need to learn a different style of editing them, so anything people notice that looks off I definitely want to be pointed out. I think tonight I'm going to go in and create a layer on their faces to bring the highlights down a tad. I'm thinking maybe it looks bad because the highlights are too bright on their faces.

Thanks

It's mostly luck. My 40D has a craptastic preview screen so I really can't tell what is in focus until I upload it. I look at the histogram, make sure I'm not losing much detail and pray everything is in focus.

CRAP! I totally missed the titles for them. My mind just went in order of Original, then Edited. I thought you may have tried to soften it some, as I've seen a lot of edits for photos of people that work that way. I guess it's to tone down some of the imperfections, but obviously I like the edited one better in your case. Ok, that makes much more sense!!!

I'm a tard.