Reflections

[Roy]

Thought sure I set up to avoid my reflection in this photo. Any tips on how to make sure the photog is not in the photo?

[CaptainTom]

Kind of a smart ass reply, but maybe too true ?
Stand far away and use a very long lens. A polarizer can usually help...

[Badge]

I like it the way it is, we seldom get our pictures taken

[Roy]

Thanks Badge!

Apppreciate your comment. That would work for some, I just don't want to be there.

Thanks Tom!

It was just one where I was there and the Harley was there and I had my camera and one lens. Took the photo then went back to where I was supposed to be but I can see how a long lens would do it. Need to get a polarizer too I guess. What's a good one?

[evil4blue]

Reflection are really though to fix after the fact. Trying to photoshop them out almost always makes to photo look photoshopped. I say leave it alone, since it looks fine and try a different setup next time.

[Roy]

Thanks Evil,

With my limited photoshop skills, I knew trying to fix this one would lead to disaster. I'm satisfied. Most people just looking at photos won't even notice it.
I hope.

[Gordon]

Originally Posted by Roy

Thanks Evil,

With my limited photoshop skills, I knew trying to fix this one would lead to disaster. I'm satisfied. Most people just looking at photos won't even notice it.
I hope.

I don't think it really detracts from this shot anyway - it isn't immediately obvious (though you can see it) and doesn't really spoil the picture.

A polariser and more careful setup are about all you can do to solve this next time.
In more expensive/ controlled situations, you might apply anti-reflective coatings to the bike...

[evil4blue]

Here you go, quick and dirty. I flipped into Lab mode and cloned you out in the lightness channel then created building where you once were. Then a blurred the a and b channels. I also did some selective dodge and burning in the a and b channel, then converted back to RGB, and saved.

Again, your photo was fine as is, but this shows you can edit out a reflection.

[engstrom]

Evil, really nice job. I'm going to have to get that book on LAB colorspace since I don't really understand what the A and B channel do.

[evil4blue]

Originally Posted by engstrom

Evil, really nice job. I'm going to have to get that book on LAB colorspace since I don't really understand what the A and B channel do.

Thanks!

Truthfully, you could do this in any colorspace, but for the sake of speed, Lab makes it easier to clone stuff out. The lightness channel is the only detail channel in the lab colorspace. A and B carry only color information. A carries Red and Green, B carries Blue and Yellow.

By doing this in lab, I could "delete" the detail and not effect the color at all. I only tweaked the A and B channel to give a slightly cleaner look to the edit.

Using Lab space for retouching is an old technique, nothing revolutionary, but having a retouching book that includes Lab techniques is a nice thing to have.

[Roy]

Well, I'm impressed. Thanks Evil! I wouldn't even attempt doing that. Excellent job on editing!

Thank you too Gordon. I'll see if I can find a 67mm polarizer for the Tamron.