Is it the camera or is it PS?

[Glassman]

I must confess I am not an expert in PS but I get by but I know a lot of people buy cameras based on pictures they see other post from a certain camera. They buy an expensive camera and then are not happy with their pictures. Many people do not realize that most digital pictures do not come out perfect out of the camera. I thought I would post an example of a before and after and hope some of you that are really good in PS would post to maybe help new digital photographers realize how important photoshop skills are. I know you photoshop experts will have better examples than mine so lets see some.

[Sonny]

WOW, what a nice difference!

Would you mind sharing your PS workfow?

[ndsimm]

yeah man, you can't post shots like this without telling us how you did it!!!

[picasso]

I agree with you but there are also other things that make a good photo besides PS. Lighting, Framing etc.... There is a guy over on dpreview.com that everyone makes fun of because he keeps buying new camera's (He must be loaded) and can't frame a photo to save his life. He is always disappointed with his shots.

Back to your topic. Yes, I think post processing is the icing on the cake to make pictures pop and stand out. I am at work right now but, if this thread is still churning I will post some before and after photos tonight.

Paul

[Wes]

My guess is that the workflow here involved the use of USM and some curves adjustments.

I also agree with what Paul said.

[Glassman]

Originally Posted by Sonny

WOW, what a nice difference!

Would you mind sharing your PS workfow?

Hi Sonny,
All I did on the picture was use use noise ninja to remove some of the noise, then used nik sharpening tool on the dove, then selected the magic wand tool and clicked on the green, then from the menu at top click select , then the inverse tool, then I used the dodge tool down on the right side of PS tool bar (looks like a lollipop) to darken the light parts of the dove's head. PS does have a noise tool under the filters that will help remove noise if you do not have noise ninja. I've already said I am NOT a PS expert and I am hoping some of the real experts will share. I have a friend who just bought a digital camera, I told him he would need a computer and photoshop but he said he just wants snapshots He loves his Kodak z612

[Glassman]

Originally Posted by Wes

My guess is that the workflow here involved the use of USM and some curves adjustments.

I also agree with what Paul said.

I also agree with what Paul said and look forward to seeing his posts. I am sure many of you will agree, photography is relaxing an a great way to let out the creative side we all have.

[Hogleg 44]

Originally Posted by Glassman

Hi Sonny,
All I did on the picture was use use noise ninja to remove some of the noise, then used nik sharpening tool on the dove,

How do you like Nik? Is it really that great a tool? I have a chance to get it at 25% off.

[Glassman]

Originally Posted by Hogleg 44

How do you like Nik? Is it really that great a tool? I have a chance to get it at 25% off.

I like it a lot, still don't know all it will do, I use display and brush the sharpening on selective areas.

[ramblinray]

I like the color effects, but to me it looks over sharpened. Somewhere between the two but more toward the current final picture would be great.

[Patti Edens]

I wouldn't call myself a photoshop expert, but I will post a recent photo that I had to do a perspective adjustment on...

This is before any photoshop work. I just opened the RAW file in Camera Raw and zeroed out everything...no sharpening, no levels adjustment, no white balance adjustment, etc. Then I just resized it for the web.



This is after I worked on it...



Here's what I did:

Obviously I attempted a perspective correction. This is the first time I've ever done it so I'm sure it could have been better.

I cropped out the two light poles in the yard. I considered cloning out the one toward the back, but I left it since it wasn't so intrusive.

I did a levels adjustment and added some contrast and brightness.

Then I did a little bit of sharpening - it might need a little more.

Finally I converted to 8 bit and resized for the web.

Now, if I was a photoshop expert, I would've made it look like there was a light on in the church lighting up that huge stained glass window. I don't know how to do that or even if it's possible.

Edited to include new PS attempt. Inspired by Billy, I tried to get the color to come out of the stained glass. I duplicated the image and then I started tweaking everything - levels, saturation, gamma, brightness, contrast, etc. until I got some of the color out of the glass. Then I moved the original photoshopped image over the one that I optimized for the glass color and I erased until the stained glass below showed through.

[3n-Out]

If you are going to hang with the big boys you will need a program like Photoshop, Coral Draw or the like. I have been using photoshop for 15 years and I can personally tell you from expierence most people spend 700 dollars on Photoshop only to get frustrated by it's complexity. If you are just getting into digital cameras and want your pictures to pop or at least look good "assuming you frame it good" and it is half way exposed correctly you will want to post process your pic. I would suggest getting photo elements and learn that first and save yourself a heap of cash before you jump into PS. PS ins't your only choice so choose wisely according to your pocketbook! :) That is unless cash isn't an object then go all in and get every abobe software made and start a complete production design comapny! :)

[houstonrunner]

With current digital technology I think both a decent camera and photoshop are necessary... even the best 35mm digital slr can't capture a very large dynamic range, so photoshop helps the photographer recreate the moment as they envisioned it. That being said, it's totally the photographer that makes the picture great (cliche I know )!!!

That being said (and I'm no expert at photoshop!!!) here's my attempt just for fun:

[Glassman]

Patti,
I like what you did with the Church, I'm not good at perspective. Jason, that looks cool with your version. I took this picture last week, this is how it looked right out of the camera, I just resized, it would be intersting to see what versions of the same picture people can come up with. This will be the before and feel free to change anything on it.

[Glassman]

Patti, here is your church picture...:)