Join Now
Join ePHOTOzine, the friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more for free!
I like the sky in this shot, and burned it in a bit more. I didn't want to go over the top, but wondered if anyone thinks the scene would look better with the sky darkened a bit more. I didn't want the sky to look too heavy and threatening!
I'd appreciate any opinions and advice on this shot.
Thanks All.
Elaine
| Brand: | NIKON CORPORATION |
| Camera: | Nikon D3100  Check out Nikon Nation! |
| Lens: | 18.0-55.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 |
| Recording media: | RAW (digital) |
| Date Taken: | 17 Mar 2012 - 2:56 PM |
| Focal Length: | 34mm |
| Lens Max Aperture: | f/4.9 |
| Aperture: | f/11.0 |
| Shutter Speed: | 1/640sec |
| Exposure Comp: | 0.0 |
| ISO: | 200 |
| Exposure Mode: | Aperture-priority AE |
| Metering Mode: | Multi-segment |
| Flash: | No Flash |
| Title: | View from North Pier |
| Username: | 
WeeGeordieLass |
| Uploaded: | 19 Apr 2012 - 7:47 AM |
| Tags: | Landscape / travel |
| VS Mode Rating |
Unrated These stats show the percentage of wins and the rating score that your photo has achieved. You can go to the VS Mode by clicking on this icon. Signup to e2Signup to e2 to see which photo this has won or lost against in the vs mode |
| Votes: | Voting Disabled |
 | Critique Wanted |
| Modifications Welcome (Upload a Modification) |
Comments
Morning Elaine,
I like the compositon with the railing's in the foreground, for me it works.
Elaine I think i'd go for a touch darker image, which you can do quickly and simply. Select "Levels'" and when the window appears there should be a box with "Default" in it, select this box and click on "Midtones Darker", remember to reduce the opacity of you think it's to much. Then select "Curves" and hit the "Auto" button should lighten certain area's, if you click between your two images you will notice the fluffy white clouds standing out more. The whole scene will be a little darker but I think it can stand.
Elaine open your "Levels, Curves etc" windows and play around with the presets, one click is sometimes all you need to do 
.
You said that you have used the burn tool which is ok but be careful and I would suggest setting it to between 5 - 9% and going over the area as many times as you feel it needs.
Take care
Martin
The composition is ok, and the railings contain the bottom of the image, but I've done a mod to crop slightly, balancing the stormy cloud with the ferris wheel and excluding the bottom and left of the frame. I think that the sky could do with enhancing, but this computer has only got a rubbish paint program and I can only edit the whole frame.
In PS, duplicate the layer, then make a large selection of the sky (with the rectangle box) and feather the edges by a lot (say 40-60). You can make the sky more threatening by using curves or levels without affecting the ground, and there is nothing projecting into the sky that will suffer from it. You can also use a layer mask, or quick mask and use the graduate tool to make the effect more gradual across the sky. It will take too long to explain here, but look in the techniques section (or google!) where it will explain it better than me.
Nick
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/preserve-all-the-highlight-and-shadow-detail-i...
Try this one. You can always open your picture, adjust for the foreground, save as "pic 1". Open image again, adjust for the sky, save as "pic 2". Then you will have your two images to blend.
Or this: http://www.ephotozine.com/article/how-to-use-the-quick-mask-tool-4648
Or: http://www.ephotozine.com/article/photoshop-tutorial--create-a-dramatic-sky-in-p...
Nick
Hi Everyone,
I'm at work at the moment, and just had a quick sneaky peep to see your great comments.
I'll have time tonight to read all your advice properly and reply - thanks everyone.
Your help is much appreciated.
See you all later.
Cheers
Elaine
Hi Everyone,
Just got settled - glass of wine in hand............
Hello Martin - Thanks for your help, and the instructions. I have Elements 10, and I don't think it has Levels & Curves options, but I think the effects you are describing can be obtained in the layers options. I'll play around with it as you advise to get a darker image. Thanks for advising on the Burn Tool % - I've found it's too easy to go overboard with this so, yes I'll set it to a low %. Thanks for the Mod - it helps to see what a slightly darker image would look like.
Hi Nathan - Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment for me. I'm glad you like the shot. I hope you're well.
Hello Frank - Thanks for the Mod. I quite like the crop. Your contrast adjustments look good, and I think have improved the shot.
Hi Nick - Your Mod's great. I really like the adjustments you have made to the sky. I like your crop, but prefer the version with the railings in the foreground. Thanks for the links I'm going to spend some time tonight before bed having a look at them. I think your tips re: saving the shot as Pic 1 and Pic 2 are great and I can't wait to have a go at this. Also your tip about the rectangle selection tool will be very helpful to me too.
I've finished my glass of wine now whilst I've been replying to you all. Thanks everyone, your comments, tips and advice are extremely useful to me.
Going to try all your suggestions now before bedtime.
Cheers
Elaine
Add a Comment
ePHOTOzine, the web's friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more.
Related Content
Nikon Nation
Are you a Nikon owner? Check out Nikon Nation to find the latest Nikon news, reviews, discussion and photos on ePHOTOzine.
Awards
Current Competitions
Olympus 'Portraiture' Competition - Win £1000 Worth Of Gear!
30th April 2013 - 31st May 2013
This month, to celebrate the launch of Olympus' new micro site Olympus Image Space, Olympus are giving you the chance to win £1000 worth of Olympus gear!...
Featured e2 Photo
May's Photo Month
Check out ePHOTOzine's inspirational photo month calendar! Each day click on a window to unveil new photography tips, treats and techniques.
