Improvements on PP?

[FlexiPack]

I'm pretty new to photography in general and when i found out i was going to need to do a bit of post processing on most of my shots i was a bit disheartened but i've actually been quite enjoying - i know get a life!

It's quite satisfying to turn what might have been for the trash bin into a decent looking shot or an already decent shot into something better. I'd like to know what you guys look at doing first with your PP. For instance if your shot is too dark do you look at exposure comp first, highlights and shadows or curves etc? Or do you have a routine that you go through. I usually check out what the auto levels/auto contrast turns out in photoshop first just to see if it's what im looking for.

Ok i've uploaded two pics, both with and without PP. What i'm wanting to know is, would you guys personally be happy with the improvements with the PP in these shots? - Taking into account the limitations in the original shot. I'd like your opinions so i know if my post processing is ok or if i need to work on it as im pretty new to this.

1st shot Without PP..

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/Mcflynnster/IMG_0751.jpg

1st shot With PP..

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/Mcflynnster/IMG_0751PP.jpg

2nd shot without PP..

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/Mcflynnster/IMG_0822.jpg

2nd shot with PP..

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/Mcflynnster/IMG_0822PP.jpg

Thanks! :)

[24Peter]

I'm pretty new to photography in general and when i found out i was going to need to do a bit of post processing on most of my shots i was a bit disheartened but i've actually been quite enjoying - i know get a life!

It's quite satisfying to turn what might have been for the trash bin into a decent looking shot or an already decent shot into something better. I'd like to know what you guys look at doing first with your PP. For instance if your shot is too dark do you look at exposure comp first, highlights and shadows or curves etc? Or do you have a routine that you go through. I usually check out what the auto levels/auto contrast turns out in photoshop first just to see if it's what im looking for.

Ok i've uploaded two pics, both with and without PP. What i'm wanting to know is, would you guys personally be happy with the improvements with the PP in these shots? - Taking into account the limitations in the original shot. I'd like your opinions so i know if my post processing is ok or if i need to work on it as im pretty new to this.

1st shot Without PP..

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/Mcflynnster/IMG_0751.jpg

1st shot With PP..

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/Mcflynnster/IMG_0751PP.jpg

2nd shot without PP..

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/Mcflynnster/IMG_0822.jpg

2nd shot with PP..

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/Mcflynnster/IMG_0822PP.jpg

Thanks! :)
Your PP looks spot on to me. :D (God, that's an awful sentence.)

As for the order of adjustments, the only thing I'd say for sure (and I've heard it many times from others) is save your sharpening for last. Second to last would probably be resizing. I often do a levels/contrast/brightness adjustment first, then any dodging/burning/healing, then crop. Then sharpen.

[cwphoto]

Good job from over here too. Can't fault them. :)

[FlexiPack]

As for the order of adjustments, the only thing I'd say for sure (and I've heard it many times from others) is save your sharpening for last. Second to last would probably be resizing. I often do a levels/contrast/brightness adjustment first, then any dodging/burning/healing, then crop. Then sharpen.

Good tip, thanks. Sharpening is one of the first things i've been applying (unless the photo is particularly dark) so i'll see how it goes with applying it last :D

Cheers guys!

[aparmley]

They look pretty good here too. As long as you are happy with the edits, thats all that matters. I know I get caught up from time to time trying to edit my photos so they look as good as some of the photos I've seen, nothing fancy, but that clarity look I can't seem to figure out. most of the time I just do some basic stuff, curves, levels maybe it can be easier, and when I'm happy I stop.

[adam75south]

i usually do levels, sometimes pull up brightness/contrast and add a little contrast if it is still needed. healing brush/cloning if needed, then sharpening, then resize. sometimes i'll mess with hue/saturation, but not often.

i think the main thing is levels and sharpening...just make sure you don't oversharpen. it's really easy to do, especially if you are looking at it zoomed to 100%.

also, do the regular save so we can view your exif data...save for web clears it all out.

[FlexiPack]

They look pretty good here too. As long as you are happy with the edits, thats all that matters. I know I get caught up from time to time trying to edit my photos so they look as good as some of the photos I've seen, nothing fancy, but that clarity look I can't seem to figure out. most of the time I just do some basic stuff, curves, levels maybe it can be easier, and when I'm happy I stop.

You're right really, it's all very subject and I suppose i'm the one that has to be happy with it. As long as im not making any major mistake then im happy. I strive for that clarity and punch too, I have to be careful not to over sharpen though.



also, do the regular save so we can view your exif data...save for web clears it all out.

Yeah I must remember that. I can dig out the exif data if you're interested

[DonSchap]

The funniest thing to see is the exif data posted, which if really considered, would render an impossibly dark image and then to see it like it has been taken three f-stops wider ...

It makes you wonder ... is exif data really worth much? I would suggest, not after radical cosmetic surgery, it's not. LOL :rolleyes: