Post processing tips

[rage2]

I'm trying to get the look that some of you guys get with your pics. Examples from members here:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/BerserkerCatSplat/Driven%20to%20Perform%202006/redandwhitesmlwmk.jpg

http://forums.beyond.ca/i/calendar/05nov_1024.jpg

Here are the pics I took:

http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread.php?s=&threadid=135082

And what I did was:

1. Perform Auto Levels
2. Add lotsa saturation
3. Adjust color balance (I think I'm a bit off here, every pic seems a bit inconsistent). Mostly subtract Blue
4. Adjust brightness and contrast. Most of the pics were +10 on brightness and +10 on contrast.

Of course I'm a bit limited with equipment, shot all the pics with a Point and shoot Canon S400.

Any tips on making the pics look closer to the samples I'm talking about?

[88CRX]

1 - sharpen or unsharpen mask
2 - resize to 1200 wide
3 - resize to 800 wide
4 - add some contrast
5 - color ballence if something is fuked

[rage2]

Sweet! That unsharpen mask looks awesome. Thanks for the tip! I updated all the pics with what I think is a good setting for the unsharp mask.

I'm still having problems nailing the color balance right. When I get one portion of the pic right, the gravel becomes too red. All the pics are a lot closer now though!

I choose that resolution cuz I formatted it for my laptop's display, which is 16:10 widescreen hehe.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Another couple things that can make a picture "pop" are these (And since you posted one of my pics as an example, I feel morally obligated to reply.):

(This is in Photoshop CS2, BTW)

Curves

Go to Layers -> New Adjustment Layer -> Curves

Hit OK, you'll get a little graph with a line through it. Gab and drag that line to get different effects on your images. My standard curve is the bottom 1/2 of the line pulled a bit to the right&down, and the top half pulled left&up, so you get a mild S-curve. The amount varies depending on the image, though.

Another easy one is Overlay.

Right-click on your Background layer in the Layer Palette, and select Duplicate Layer. Press OK. Now, change the blending mode from "normal" to "overlay", and adjust the transparency until it looks less wacky - around 50% is usually good. This also works awesome for converting colour images to B&W - simply desaturate, overlay, ajdust.


Also, try experimenting with the Shadow&Highlight tool, under Image -> Adjustments. It's a little complicated when you add the advanced options, but it works great when used in conjunction with the Exposure adjustment when you need to save a poor image. The photo of mine you posted was actually quite poor and dark to begin with because I was too far away from the subject for the flash to have much effect, but Exposure and S&W really cleaned it up.

[rage2]

Thanks BerserkerCatSplat for the huge number of tips, not to mention him processing my pic to show me how it's done. So here's what I got so far. That Curves thing is sweet!

Original:
http://www.virgeweb.com/rage2/mye55amg/test/before.jpg

My original try:
http://www.virgeweb.com/rage2/mye55amg/test/after.jpg

My new try after using all these tips:
http://www.virgeweb.com/rage2/mye55amg/test/after3.jpg

[The Cosworth]

wow who's the girl

[nismodrifter]

http://members.shaw.ca/nismodrifter/41.jpg

My favorite.

What I do.

Adjust levels (layers->adjustment>new adjustment layer whatever-> levels...) Get one part of the image right, gradient, then do the other part.
Adjust brightness/contrast
Adjust saturation
Sharpen if necessary.

Camera: Canon A75 (3.2mp). Nothing bling but does a hell of a crazy good job.

[3g4me]

I use , levels, color adjustments, curves, and unsharp mask. Those together make for some good vivid colors.:thumbsup:

[rage2]

Here's a pic that's not as saturated, with more isolated saturation bumps. Way better for printing.

http://www.virgeweb.com/rage2/mye55amg/test/after4.jpg

[/////AMG]

What program do you guys use?

[nismodrifter]

I'm ghetto...I use Photoshop 6.0

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Mainly Photoshop CS2, Paint Shop Pro 9 once in a while.

[3g4me]

CS1 at the office, CS2 on my laptop

[muse017]

I used to use photoshop a lot then i got tired of using PS for every pics i took. Plz don't tell me to use "Action Tool" :guns:

I just got so lazy and Picasa is now my best friend. Click one button"I am feeling lucky" and that is it!!!.
:banghead: :banghead: