Our daughter Betsy
Uploaded: February 25, 2011
A reworking of a conventional image taken at the Swan Hotel, Wadebridge, Cornwall in 2007.
using Topaz Adjust HDR action.
Exif: F Number: 7.1, Exposure Bias Value: 1.67, ExposureTime: 3/10 seconds, Flash: fired, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 200, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 30.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 20D
Dale Hardin February 26, 2011
Hi Peter. So glad to see your entries again and to hear your input. Missed you.This is a nice candid with a very good diagonal composition. The square crop works very well and I love the reflections in the table as well as location atmosphere in the background.
Not really sure what you were going after with the treatment so it's very hard to comment there. It did result in quite a bit of blown areas, and without knowing how it was done, any effort to clear them at this stage damages your result.
At the very least I would recommend cloning out the drink, glass and can, in the lower left. A minor distraction that does not help the image and with it's removal, can improve the shot .
Excellent texture throughout as well. Nice job. #1356414
Michael Kelly February 26, 2011
Peter great to have you back with a post.I agree with Dale on the very nice composition and overall atmosphere of this shot. I also like the reflections and agree on the tiny bit of can and glass removal.
I don't see the "blown" areas as being that bad or a real problem in this shot. To me the only problem area is the window to the right of her head and does not bother me that much. Best solution for me would have been to change the angle just slightly while shooting so that her head blocks the window.
I have a personal dislike for this type of filtering and most frequently think that it degrades rather than enhances a photo with rare exception and almost never use these techniques myself so I will leave comments on that area to those that like and use these techniques. #9263065
Peter W. Marks February 26, 2011
Well gentlemen, I thank you both for the time you spent on this image. Mike- and thank you too. I would be really interested to hear your thinking behind the dislike for the above style of image. Of course it doesn't look realistic and obviously is not intended to, but then neither does a monochrome image, as little in life is just black, white and shades of grey but these are often accepted as fine art.
However I am quite happy to accept that one man's meat is another man's poison.
I will try to upload the original RAW image.
#9263168
Peter W. Marks February 26, 2011
RAW image with just brightness adjustment.Michael Kelly February 26, 2011
Peter this is a personal style and preference issue more than anything else. I think most shots using texture and filters look like they use textures and filters and I enjoy a more natural look. Very seldom do I see a shot where I believe they are an improvement over a well exposed and photographed scene although again I think there are artistic exceptions. Many of the Phellos do use these techniques and like them so again this is a personal issue for me rather than a more general comment on these types of treatments. One of the first things that I almost always think is what was wrong with the shot that made someone decide to give it an "artistic" treatment. Not of course always the case.All of this is a overall comment and not directed to this particular shot or your use of the artistic interpretation here. I do not have any add on filters or software personally and don't think I will be acquiring any. Of course I am in the middle on this because there are people that think all shots should be as they come from the camera and I am not that extreme, as I do beleve a bit of post processing can improve most shots especially if you are shooting RAW. #9263279
Christie R. Bielss February 26, 2011
I like the composition of the cropped image. It eliminates most of the, shall we say, distracting parts in the picture. I do like filters, textures and whatnot, but I'm not loving this particular one. It has a bit too much yellow for me. It's particularly bothersome, for me, in her hair and skin. Maybe by lowering the yellow tint, it will give more of the Norman Rockwell type feel to this. What a great job you did on capturing her and the others in the pub without any appearing to notice! #9263373Joan E. Hoffman February 26, 2011
Hmmm... so far, I guess I am the only one that appreciates the Saturday Post feel to this. I used to pore over his (Norman Rockwell's) images as a child.... appreciating every nuance in his wonderful artwork. I actually really like this image... it takes a relatively bland shot and elevates it into a form of art (at least to me it does).I do appreciate a well taken shot, as well, and love it when I don't have to make many adjustments. However, I am not very talented at achieving that in camera... wish my ratio were much more positive than what it is. I am still very self conscious with a camera... and tend to not think first, and edit later.
One of the most significant parts of the Freeman Patterson "Ideas" segment (see club discussions)... is his discussion of one of his "teachers"... who insisted on using a tripod, and analysing every pixel from left to right, top to bottom, before taking the shot. He mentions that it was two years before he got the courage to remove his camera from the tripod. Shoot got off topic sorry.
Peter, I like the shot! #9263397
Aimee C. Eisaman February 26, 2011
And just in case you didn't know what you were looking at it says MENU right on the front! LOL I just thought that was funny! As for the filter....I'm not a huge fan now that I have seen the original image. I don't see anything wrong with the filter, but I would prefer it natural for this shot. What you decide to stick with is up to you of course. I do like the crop....works very well! :~) #9263414Dale Hardin February 26, 2011
After seeing the original shot, I'm even more impressed with your crop, Peter. I don't think you could have done it any better.I now understand the look you were going after. It's one I like very much as you might remember, I did an entire image with my grandson in that genre. It's just that the filter you used wasn't enough to accomplish that look.
On the discussion of the blown areas, you mention that "you" aren't bothered by similar things on other folks images. But that's the whole point of this club Peter. To assist each other in recognizing these issues and helping to find ways to correct them.
Just as I have become more and more aware of content and story line due to your assistance, it works for technical issues also. :o) #9263807
Stephen Shoff February 26, 2011
Joan -- I only just now got a chance to check in on the Phello's gallery, so I only just saw this. Yes, I see and appreciate the Rockwell-esque interpretation, and reacted to it as such.I'm going to agree with Christie. Certainly too much yellow, and the skin tones/textures haven't come out well at all.
But I have no problem with going past photo-realistic images. It not only has validity in its own right (if that is what the artist and/or the market will bear), I had a couple of occassions recently where I think applying an effect actually improved the picture -- in the same way sometimes a B&W can be better than the original color. By getting the detail out of the way so the imagination can go to work. #9263859
Joan E. Hoffman February 27, 2011
Yes, I agree that the yellow overtones should be corrected. Overall, however, the image just appeals to me. Its definetly a different genre but still works well for me. #9264637Peter W. Marks February 27, 2011
And now to keep Joan and Christie and Stephen, happy I shall un-yellow it and wait for someone else to say it has too much cyan, or too much magenta or ........!Stephen Shoff February 27, 2011
I'm happy. #9264771Debbie E. Payne February 28, 2011
Peter - Okay, I'll say it...I like your original submit the best sans beer pitcher and soda can. Good work getting rid of the lady in white behind her. Sometimes to keep something we like we have to go beyond the natural. #9266682Carla Capra Anderson February 28, 2011
Hi Peter;Susan M. Reynolds February 28, 2011
I liked your first post over the orignal photo, but the second edit is even better. I happen to like the filter effect used, it looks almost like a colored pencil drawing. Also the crop is nice too. #9266990Aimee C. Eisaman March 01, 2011
I do like your changes, but miss the warmth of the yellow a bit. The removal of those items mentioned works very well! :~) #9267502Christie R. Bielss March 01, 2011
I really like the removal of the items. It really gives it that "Saturday Evening Post" feeling. I think you removed a bit too much yellow in order to pacify us though. Somewhere inbetween the 2 was what I was thinking - but who can decipher the mind of a redhead, eh Peter. ;) #9267710Peter W. Marks March 01, 2011
Thank you my friends, all your comments are much appreciated.Beth Spencer March 02, 2011
I like the edits you made. I think the filter works in this picture. #9269933Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
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