The past couple months I have tried hard to learn the process of properly editing photos by avoiding traditional HDR and filters in Nik. Instead I have opted for a more time consuming practise of using layers and manually fixing photos while including a limited editing pallet in Lightroom. I have also taken a lot of consideration since my last post here about cutting off objects in my photos as well. Please feel free to criticize away as the last time really helped me to develop in areas that desperately needed improved upon. One thing since making the switch I feel the colours may be a little more realistic in but the trade off is muted colours, curious to hear what everyone has to say.


Here's an example of what I was putting out before:

1.

Bittersweet Beauty by Bumblebee, on Flickr

Compared to now (a re-edit)

2.

Learning Curve by Bumblebee, on Flickr


Here are some more current shots as of late.

3.

Prism Play by Bumblebee, on Flickr

4.

Suspended Animation by Bumblebee, on Flickr

5.

Going Home by Bumblebee, on Flickr

6.

Morning Glory by Bumblebee, on Flickr

7.

Tub Thumping by Bumblebee, on Flickr

8.

Baby It's Cold Outside by Bumblebee, on Flickr

9.

Apparition by Bumblebee, on Flickr

10.

Schools Out by Bumblebee, on Flickr

Of the before/after first 2 shots, I kind of like the first one. While it is perhaps a bit saturated for my taste, I like that it has deep shadows and minimally blown highlights. From my memory of this place, it is more like I remember it vs the second one, which is too uniformly bright. The second one feels more HDR'y to me.

Of the first 2 comparison shots, I actually prefer the first as well. Although the re-edit brings out more details from the darker areas, the brightness feels unnatural. I love the red window in the first one and it starts to get lost a bit in the second one. As for the other shots, I think you did a good job capturing natural looking light for the situations. Great looking set overall.

Posted by yokes Of the before/after first 2 shots, I kind of like the first one. While it is perhaps a bit saturated for my taste, I like that it has deep shadows and minimally blown highlights. From my memory of this place, it is more like I remember it vs the second one, which is too uniformly bright. The second one feels more HDR'y to me.

Thanks yokes, I guess my biggest fear is losing all the detail in the second one while at the same time I'm taking away from how it actually looked.

Posted by Seahawk Of the first 2 comparison shots, I actually prefer the first as well. Although the re-edit brings out more details from the darker areas, the brightness feels unnatural. I love the red window in the first one and it starts to get lost a bit in the second one. As for the other shots, I think you did a good job capturing natural looking light for the situations. Great looking set overall.

Thanks Seahawk, I appreciate the input on the set. I guess for the first one its about finding a balance between bringing out details while not over saturating the colours at the same time.

Out of curiosity, what processing was done on the first shot?

Do not fear the shadows.

Posted by Seahawk Out of curiosity, what processing was done on the first shot?

Off the top of my head, used Todd Sipes suggested presets in light room, and then used Nik (Colour Effects Pro) and used the filters detail extraction, sunlight?, and contrast something or other and set it to fine.

Posted by yokes Do not fear the shadows.

Just the Reaper....always needs more cowbell.