Photoshop help - DPChallenge Forums

09/30/2005 11:58:46 PM · #1

Just learning Photoshop and I'm trying to process the following picture. I do not like the bridge that's on right side of the photo toward the center. Is there anything I can do? I also tried to use the healing tooling to remove a few items from the pond that were distracting but it's very obvious. Probably not the correct tool to use in this situation but it's the only one I know at the time. I've also included a picture of the original if any of you would like to take a stab at processing it. I'm very open to suggestions and criticism. Thank you

Message edited by author 2005-10-01 00:01:27.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

10/01/2005 09:25:14 AM · #2

anyone?

trishialw

Canon EOS-20D

10/01/2005 09:43:16 AM · #3

I am certainly not an expert in PS. I have had success with the rubberstamp tool when trying to remove small items, like the leaves in the pond. When I use it I typically zoom in to the photo and make the tool somewhat small to that I don't distort the picture to much.

10/01/2005 09:43:54 AM · #4

I kinda like the leaves down on the pond. They help make the water real... See what you think of this version:

lowonenergy

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

10/01/2005 10:31:49 AM · #5

Here's a quick try:
LINK

Tools used (Photoshop)

spratscher

Nikon D50

10/01/2005 12:04:23 PM · #6

I just had another question. I guess it is more about contest rules. I was under the impression that layers with anything but color adjustment were dq. but I saw a finalist with an all black and white pic except the blue jeans and umbrella. How do you do that without putting it on a different layer. Could someone please help me understand. I have a feeling I am misunderstanding or something.

Tutorial for Selective Desaturation under Basic Editing Rules

10/01/2005 12:25:21 PM · #7

10/01/2005 06:33:55 PM · #8

Terry,
I love your PS work on my pic. Would you be kind enough to outline the steps you used? Your version has a lot more detail. I also like the leaves in your version. Thank you.

Message edited by author 2005-10-04 18:21:51.

10/01/2005 11:42:22 PM · #9

Originally posted by pearlseyes:

Terry,
I love your PS work on my pic. Would you be kind enough to outline the steps you used? Your version has a lot more deetail. I also like the leaves in your version. Thank you.

Sure... I left a brief outline with the image, but I can explain in more detail here:

1) I first used a Gothic Glow filter which has you make a selection around a portion of the image. It then leaves that part of the image lighter while darkening and bluring the part of the image outside of the selection. It also has a wonderful effect on contrasts within the image. This first step is usually too strong for my tastes, so I put the Gothic Glow version of the image into a layer and then lowered the opacity down (can't remember now, but I think it was around 60%).

2) Then I added a Color Balance layer on top of the image. I like CB because it lets you assign different colors to shadows, medium tones and highlights.

3) Then I used Local Contrast USM. This is where you use the Unsharp Mask filter in a way that isn't meant to sharpen the detail in the image. Instead, it enhances the contrast between larger elements in the image. I can't remember what settings I used, but as I recall, it was much much higher than I would normally do. I think I used something like strength 30, radius 65 and threshold 0. Normally I use a strength around 15.. but I really liked what this was doing to the image, so I kept it hight.

4) Then I flattened the image and ran Neat Image on it. Mostly I wanted to smooth out the surface of the water without muddying the leaves.

5) Then I applied USM and was amazed at the detail that was still available in the leaves. I think I used something like 75, .7 and 0 for the USM.

6) Added a border just by stroking the edges at three different widths.

Does all of that make sense? Any questions, let me know and I'll try to explain further.

10/02/2005 02:08:47 PM · #10

Is Gothic Glow filter in CS2? Not sure where to find it.