Handle With Care - First Post Here

**Dabhand16** · 12-09-2006, 17:39

Right, I've dipped into the sharing forum and got some good advice to work with, so here is one result of your help.

The background was quite hazey, and I liked the sky/clouds, so I've just done a touch of burning to bring Vesuvius out a bit and a light pass on the sky.

***Dave*** · 12-09-2006, 18:12

Just to help us out here Graham, was the original shot pin sharp or not ?

**Dabhand16** · 12-09-2006, 18:20

Here is the original

***Dave*** · 12-09-2006, 19:35

Right Graham, I'll cover processing of Mono converion & leave others to comment on overall photograph composition, subject, exposure etc....

Well the only way to comment on processing is to try it yourself & I have to say overall I couldn't better what you have done with the normal processes I use...so well done

The only area I notice on yours that needs improvement is the blown highlights, especially on the building top right & roof of middle building at right of picture.

Found the follwing whilst prcoessing shot:-

Trying to convert using RED channel mixer caused an almost IR effect on trees, but the sea & sky were good. For the trees in foreground the best mix was around 40% green & 60% blue in CMixer....all trial & error. So a 2 layer conversion would be needed in my process, with layer mask to bring shot together. With the buildings being so small in the shot, there was no real detail to enhance by USM. The sky did show pixelation / noise though during conversion, which I notice your has too.

Overall I would say you chose a hard shot to convert to Mono, but from what I have tried, you have got the most from the shot without spending considerable time playing in PS with lots of layers & tweaks

**Dabhand16** · 12-09-2006, 21:46

Thanks, Dave. I'll take it from your comments that I'm moving in the right direction. I've always said that you have to be in mono mode from the time you take the camera out of the bag, and the ones I've selected for conversion are not in that category, so if you think that I've done a reasonable job on this one, that's good enough for me. I'd agree thet it was not the best choice for a mono, but I like the challenge!!

I'm working on another one of the same location, but with a different prespective, so I'll prop that one up tomorrow.

I'm looking more at the convesion at this stage rather than the overall picture.

**stepheno** · 13-09-2006, 07:43

Since this is in the Critique forum I feel at liberty to say this, but....it doesn't do anything for me I'm afraid Graham. You've made a good effort with the conversion but I feel the original image was not the best for this treatment.

The original is a typical holiday memento type shot (and I have got millions!) but not one that I would have chosen for a mono conversion. I think the main problem is that the focal point, which for me is the buildings, isn't sharp. You set yourself a difficult task with that one. Sorry to be a downer

**Dabhand16** · 13-09-2006, 11:00

Don't be sorry - I agree the original was nothing to write home about, I'm just trying shots that have various elements to see what I can do with them, as opposed to what can be done with them, if you see what I mean. I found the alternative versions of the mono in the sharing forum very interesting, although, I admit it was a better photo in the first place.

I've got another shot from the same location that I think works better, so I might prop that one up next.

**stepheno** · 13-09-2006, 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dabhand16

....I'm just trying shots that have various elements to see what I can do with them, as opposed to what can be done with them

Yes...I see where you're coming from now

**Dabhand16** · 13-09-2006, 12:04

Maybe I should post these 'half and half' shots in the manipulation forum, as it is the technique I'm working on, rather than the picture as a whole.

I don't have a supply of 'great' photos to use,

so didn't really feel right in posting in the critique forum.

***Dave*** · 13-09-2006, 15:00

That's easy...you find someone who posts with "image edit" ticked & do theirs

Thats what I do

lolyton · 13-09-2006, 21:23

As we are not commenting on the picture as is i only have one piece of advice, and that would be..... invest in a polarzing filter, in this instance it would have helped no-end. Vesuvius and the cloud would have been a lot clearer and that haze would have been a lot less. Just my tuppence worth!

***Dave*** · 14-09-2006, 09:04

...& good advice at that

I've seen some Mono conversions from shots taken with polarisers, where thay have manged to get the skies almost black..... yummy

**Dabhand16** · 14-09-2006, 09:46

I do have a polariser, but it does not fit on the compact I used to take that picture!!

(Only took a compact on this trip).

Bloody thing does not fit on the D70s, either.

I'll be paying SRB a visit soon and I always end up spending more than intended.

***Dave*** · 14-09-2006, 09:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dabhand16

I don't have a supply of 'great' photos to use,

so didn't really feel right in posting in the critique forum.

I can't promise they are great, but feel free to play with any of my shots in the gallery

.....but no converting any monos back to colour

12-09-2006, 17:39	#1 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 8,723	Handle With Care - First Post Here Right, I've dipped into the sharing forum and got some good advice to work with, so here is one result of your help. The background was quite hazey, and I liked the sky/clouds, so I've just done a touch of burning to bring Vesuvius out a bit and a light pass on the sky.

12-09-2006, 18:12	#2 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 14,659	Re: Handle With Care - First Post Here Just to help us out here Graham, was the original shot pin sharp or not ?

12-09-2006, 18:20	#3 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 8,723	Re: Handle With Care - First Post Here Here is the original

12-09-2006, 19:35	#4 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 14,659	Re: Handle With Care - First Post Here Right Graham, I'll cover processing of Mono converion & leave others to comment on overall photograph composition, subject, exposure etc.... Well the only way to comment on processing is to try it yourself & I have to say overall I couldn't better what you have done with the normal processes I use...so well done The only area I notice on yours that needs improvement is the blown highlights, especially on the building top right & roof of middle building at right of picture. Found the follwing whilst prcoessing shot:- Trying to convert using RED channel mixer caused an almost IR effect on trees, but the sea & sky were good. For the trees in foreground the best mix was around 40% green & 60% blue in CMixer....all trial & error. So a 2 layer conversion would be needed in my process, with layer mask to bring shot together. With the buildings being so small in the shot, there was no real detail to enhance by USM. The sky did show pixelation / noise though during conversion, which I notice your has too. Overall I would say you chose a hard shot to convert to Mono, but from what I have tried, you have got the most from the shot without spending considerable time playing in PS with lots of layers & tweaks

12-09-2006, 21:46	#5 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 8,723	Re: Handle With Care - First Post Here Thanks, Dave. I'll take it from your comments that I'm moving in the right direction. I've always said that you have to be in mono mode from the time you take the camera out of the bag, and the ones I've selected for conversion are not in that category, so if you think that I've done a reasonable job on this one, that's good enough for me. I'd agree thet it was not the best choice for a mono, but I like the challenge!! I'm working on another one of the same location, but with a different prespective, so I'll prop that one up tomorrow. I'm looking more at the convesion at this stage rather than the overall picture. __________________ Graham

13-09-2006, 07:43	#6 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,439	Re: Handle With Care - First Post Here Since this is in the Critique forum I feel at liberty to say this, but....it doesn't do anything for me I'm afraid Graham. You've made a good effort with the conversion but I feel the original image was not the best for this treatment. The original is a typical holiday memento type shot (and I have got millions!) but not one that I would have chosen for a mono conversion. I think the main problem is that the focal point, which for me is the buildings, isn't sharp. You set yourself a difficult task with that one. Sorry to be a downer __________________ "upgrade your ability before upgrading your kit" Some new photographs here.

13-09-2006, 11:00	#7 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 8,723	Re: Handle With Care - First Post Here Don't be sorry - I agree the original was nothing to write home about, I'm just trying shots that have various elements to see what I can do with them, as opposed to what can be done with them, if you see what I mean. I found the alternative versions of the mono in the sharing forum very interesting, although, I admit it was a better photo in the first place. I've got another shot from the same location that I think works better, so I might prop that one up next.

13-09-2006, 12:04	#9 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 8,723	Re: Handle With Care - First Post Here Maybe I should post these 'half and half' shots in the manipulation forum, as it is the technique I'm working on, rather than the picture as a whole. I don't have a supply of 'great' photos to use, so didn't really feel right in posting in the critique forum.

13-09-2006, 15:00	#10 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 14,659	Re: Handle With Care - First Post Here That's easy...you find someone who posts with "image edit" ticked & do theirs Thats what I do

13-09-2006, 21:23	#11 (permalink)
lolyton Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Granada, Spain Posts: 803	Re: Handle With Care - First Post Here As we are not commenting on the picture as is i only have one piece of advice, and that would be..... invest in a polarzing filter, in this instance it would have helped no-end. Vesuvius and the cloud would have been a lot clearer and that haze would have been a lot less. Just my tuppence worth!

14-09-2006, 09:04	#12 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 14,659	Re: Handle With Care - First Post Here ...& good advice at that I've seen some Mono conversions from shots taken with polarisers, where thay have manged to get the skies almost black..... yummy

14-09-2006, 09:46	#13 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 8,723	Re: Handle With Care - First Post Here I do have a polariser, but it does not fit on the compact I used to take that picture!! (Only took a compact on this trip). Bloody thing does not fit on the D70s, either. I'll be paying SRB a visit soon and I always end up spending more than intended.

14-09-2006, 09:53	#15 (permalink)
lolyton Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Granada, Spain Posts: 803