loot Workshop Photos Given

(9335) [2006-07-09 19:11:14] [5]

Hi Lori

My attempt at optimising your photo was more focused on bringing some light and colour into the midground and the foreground.

Post Processing done:
I selected the area from the trees downward. Applied 'Auto Contrast' and 'Saturation' at +12. Then I selected the trees only and in 'Colour Variations' I brightened it a little more by 1 click. I repeated the process with the flower shrub, but I only selected the dark parts in the bush. I deselected all areas and with the whole picture active I applied a further bit of 'Saturation' at +7. Then I sellected the sky only and applied 'NeatImage' at default settings to remove a little bit of noise that was present.

I think it gave the total photo a slightly brighter look and brought out some of the colours especially in the trees, the foreground with the rocks and even in the flower and the shrub. I hope you like the enhancements though.

Friendly regards
Loot

India

Lunch Time (2)
sumantas (29)

Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0

(9335) [2006-07-08 02:35:43] [5]

Hi Sumanta
The workshop turned out a little more complex than I anticipated. I wanted to address the dark areas, the bright areas, remove the date stamp, and give some colour to the photo.

I selected all the rocks and background foliage with the ‘Magic Wand Tool’ and applied ‘Levels’ adjustment by sliding the middle pointer on the ‘Input Levels’ to the left to the value of 1.66. Then I added ‘Saturation’ at +17, ‘Brightness’ at +5, and ‘Contrast’ at +13.

Next I inversed the selection so that only the water was included and applied the ‘Levels Tool’ by adjusting the middle pointer on the ‘Input Levels’ to the right to the value of 0.69 and I added ‘Saturation’ +10. Finally I cloned out the date stamp.

I hope you like the optimisation.

Friendly regards
Loot

PS. When photographic water scenes it is advisable not to take the meter reading from the water surface. That is a sure recipe for the surrounding rocks, vegetation, foliage, or environment to turn into night. If you select the dark rocks or foliage, then the photo will explode again with light. So the best is to first observe the scene and find some spot that is intermediate in distance, to get the focus point where it will give you a good average setting. This spot must also be intermediate in brightness, (not too dark or not to bright) so that the average reading will give you the white wash of the water that won't burn out or the darker areas that won't be void of any contrast or definition.

Title: Whitefaced DuckNikon D100 with MB-D100

Whitefaced Duck (9)
Anton

(589)

Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0

(9335) [2006-07-07 13:06:59] [6]

Hi Anton

Thanks for allowing for workshops to be posted.

As I said, this is a fine photo and I basically just wanted to address the softish focus, but in the process I found that levels could optimise the colours as well.

Post Processing done:
Altered the levels by finding the 'Black & White' points with the 'Threshold Tool' and then adjusting it with the 'Levels tool'. Selected the water area and removed noise with 'NeatImage' at its default settings. Maybe I should have tried to remove the slight noise in the ducks bill as well, but it was only after upload that I noticed that.
I then Inversed the selection so that only the duck was selected and applied 'USM' at 250, 0.3 & 0 settings. No further adjustments was necessary.

This changed the colours somewhat and maybe it reflects a more natural look as the reflection of the blue sky is more visible in the water surface.

I hope you like the optimisation.

Friendly regards
Loot

United States

Title: Young Night HeronCanon Powershot S3 IS

Young Night Heron (34)
manyee

(19880)

Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0

(9335) [2006-07-02 06:12:02] [4]

Hi ManYee

It almost feel like a travesty doing a workshop on this lovely posting, but as mentioned I just wanted to remove the slight noise in the BG and maybe brighten up the colour a little. However when I tried to apply the 'Black & White' points with the 'Levels Tool' the BG turned into some weird psychedelic colours so I had to manually adjust it a bit.

Post Processing done:
I selected the BG with the 'Magic Wand Tool'. Then in 'Levels' I slid the middle slider of the 'Input Levels' to 80 and the left hand slider in 'Output Levels' I slid to 16. In 'Colour Variations' I moved the intensity bar to ±16% and added blue at 1 click. I then used NeatImage to remove the BG noise and I ran it twice at its default settings. Finally I selected the complete picture and added +7 ‘Saturation’.

I think the slight darkening and colouring of the BG brings the bird out even more and I hope you like the optimisation especially the noise reduction.

Friendly regards
Loot

Poland

Harmony (52) *
red45

(26909)

Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0

(9335) [2006-06-27 20:56:46] [6]

Hi Greg

Thanks for allowing workshops to be posted. I think you have a great photo and I just wanted to address the colour saturation, but in the process touch one or two other minor areas as well.

Post Processing done:
I selected the entire area except the dragonfly with the 'Magic Wand Tool' using the 'Lasso Tool' to include or exclude certain areas or to fine tune the selection. With the BG and the grass blade selected I increased 'Saturation' +12 and I ran 'NeatImage' at its default values to remove any noise there might be present. Then I 'Inversed' the selection so that only the dragonfly was selected. I applied 'Saturation' at +18 and then 'USM' at 250%, 0.2 pixels, and 0 levels.

I hope you are satisfied with the enhancement.

Friendly regards
Loot

Title: Stupidity Is IncurableCannon EOS 350D

Stupidity Is Incurable (70) *
loot

(9335)

NSRI To The Resque

(9335) [2006-06-25 22:10:25]

Fortunately two ladies who were nearby, phoned ones husband who then contacted the NSRI and alerted them concerning our predicament. My son’s girl friend Naomi was waiting up ahead on the main road to direct them (the NSRI) to our position. While we were still struggling with the other 4x4 who tried to free us, we suddenly herd a cry of relieve when my son saw the NSRI Land Rover approaching across the tidal pool. It was like the cavalry came to the rescue and I could have sworn I heard some trumpets blowing.

Once they were on the scene it did not take long before my car was standing on firm ground and I could start breathing normally. It sure was a close shave and thankfully everything turned out to be just fine again, but hopefully I've learned a valuable lesson.

To save lives on South African waters the National Sea Rescue Institute of South Africa (served by voluntary personnel) is dedicated to assisting people in distress both at sea and on inland waters. To read more about these wonderful people and their institute you can click here.

PS. Obviously I took this photo after the fiasco, but I had to post it to say THANKS and give the NSRI the acknowledgement they deserve.

Stupidity Is Incurable (70) *
loot

(9335)

Stuck In The Mud

(9335) [2006-06-25 22:03:49] [+]

Obviously it is clear, this car was stuck in the mud and was going nowhere quick unless a miracle in the form of a strong 4x4 with a big winch arrived on the scene. With the assistance of 4 other helping hands we tried to lift and move the car, but it would not budge. To worsen matters even more, within minutes after we got stuck, the weather turned and a strong wind started to blow and if that was not enough, the rain started to pelt down. Please note that the water you see around the vehicle was not there before we got stuck. There was no indication that I was approaching drift sand. At least I am not that stupid to drive into such an obvious trap.

Hysteria was lying on the leer and waiting patiently to storm us like a herd of buffalo on a stampede.

PS. Unfortunately the quality of this photo is not very good as it was taken with my son’s cell phone camera which is rather limited in pixel size.

Title: What's Up Dude? - TBN 6Cannon EOS 350D

What's Up Dude? - TBN 6 (60)
loot

(9335)

Thulasihleka Pan Bird Sanctuary

(9335) [2006-06-20 20:50:58]

Although I have showed you this photo before, I used it to indicate the points or positions which relates to my notes on the main photo.

I hope you enjoy the story as much as I enjoyed the experience.

Regards
Loot

Netherlands

Bullfinch (14)
Zeno

(7979)

Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0

(9335) [2006-06-14 19:35:32] [6]

Hi Zeno

Thanks for allowing that workshops may be posted. I wanted to address the noise in the BG, but I ended up doing a little more, but not much though.

Post Processing done:
I selected the entire BG with the 'Magic Wand' tool and applied 'Gaussian Blur' at 0.4 radius then I ran it twice through Neat Image on the default settings. I inverted the selection and applied the 'USM' filter on the bird at 500, 0.5 & O settings.

I hope you like the enhancements.

Friendly regards
Loot

United States

Title: Northern MockingbirdCanon Powershot S1-IS

Northern Mockingbird (16)
manyee

(19880)

Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0

(9335) [2006-06-09 20:58:26] [5]

Hi ManYee

I thought the blue sky lacked a bit of blue and there was a bit of noise in it as well. I hope you like my attempt to address these issues.

Post Processing:
I selected the BG with the 'Magic Wand' tool and in 'Colour Variations' I applied 'Darkness' +3 and 'Increase Blue' +2. Then I removed the BG noise by running it twice through 'Neat Image' at the defaults settings. I inverted the selection and applied the 'USM' filter at 250, 0.2 & 0. Lastly, I neatened up the photo as all the edges had halos after the colour/darkness changes.

Thanks for allowing that workshops may be posted. You be the judge if this has enhanced your photo at all.

Friendly regards
Loot