HILL_SS

iTrader: (4)

Yea...Ive been taken pics for a while myself, but obvisouly I havent been getting the best out of them. What kind of photoshopping software are you guys using to create all the effects?

bdr_ws6

I don't post process. Not because I don't want to, but because I don't have the software and if I did I wouldn't know WTF to do haha.

Good write up.

WhiteRabbit22

iTrader: (3)

I'm guessing you used tone mapping with three different exposures? and then took out the light/electricity poles with photoshop?

bastien

iTrader: (1)

sorta kinda, not a fan of tone mapping.. just a bit.

josh99ta

iTrader: (1)

I was looking for this thread, didn't see that it was a sticky. I feel honored. Honestly I'm just trying to get a little more information out there for guys to hopefully improve their own pictures because I really enjoying looking at everyone's pictures. Keep an eye out, I'm going to make a "basic photo editing" writeup just like this one to hopefully help you guys get the most out of your pictures regardless of the software but here are a few basics...

Software: Photoshop is king basically, but if you dont have it or access to it download The Gimp. Its freeware and works just as well you just wont be able to find as many tutorials online to help you figure things out. As for the editing I could write up a little something but this is already in a great format with pictures to help you understand so I'll just link to it...

BASIC QUICK AND EASY PHOTO EDITING: http://tutiki.nikoncafe.com/w/index....stments#Step_2

To add a border in photoshop I choose the rectangular selection tool, the hit Ctrl + A to select all, then right click and select Stroke, pick a value for the width and set the color and also whether you want the border on the inside or outside, and BAM! You've got a border.

I'll also add this information into the original text so people can access it after they read the original post.

josh99ta

iTrader: (1)

OK, original post updated with a section on taking better pictures at the bottom.

WhiteRabbit22

iTrader: (3)

I just want you guy's opinion on how well I did. Mind you it only took me a half hour. I'm sure I could get it better with more time.

original


Post Processing

bastien

iTrader: (1)

way too much, the sea is purple. You gotta make it look realistic.

josh99ta

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, its definitely a fine balance. You dont want to overprocess the work unless thats the look you're going for (but even then it has too look a certain way to look right). I'd say if you did half of what you do the picture you posted you might be alright. What all did you adjust so we can get a basic idea of how to help?

WhiteRabbit22

iTrader: (3)

Well, I did some level asjustments, sharpening, photofilter for the orange effect (i think that's what made the lake purple.) And I adjusted contrast and lightness a little. Then the usual clone stamp to take out electricity poles, parking lot lines and cement separations.

I think i could tone down the photo filter and make it look a lot better. The color does seem off now that you say so, and I'm looking at it more.

bastien

iTrader: (1)

First of all, you can't post process an ok picture. I know my original picture above is not a good picture, but I got lucky and got it to look decent. In your original picture, you should have taken the picture from the other way so that the shadow is behind the car, not to the right. Your wheels should be turned facing you.. nobody cares about tire thread, a rim looks better. You have a black car, which is a bitch to take pictures of. Trust me, I know.. Most of my keeper shots were taking in overcast weather. Sun + black cars = ****. Also, don't go over board with the post process. It seems like you messed with hue/saturation and turned it on all the way. That's not what you want to do. You should adjust levels/curves, and brightness/contrast. Nothing else. If you're familiar with dodge/burn, you can use that as well. Also, becareful when you clone stuff out, I shouldn't be able to tell you remove that guy from the bridge. The grass in your picture look neon toxic green. In addition, the car looks soft. Don't move when you take pics, use a tripod, or sharpen it in photoshop.

my 0.04 cents

hope that helps

josh99ta

iTrader: (1)

Here is my really quick and rough shot at touching up your picture WhiteRabbit (the colors/contrast are fine but I could have spend more time with the clone tool taking out the bird and the larger pole from behind your car but I just wanted to do a quick job to give you an idea) but again you really have to shoot to capture a picture in better light to start with to really get results. In this shot the light is way too harsh and there is also not enough light on the front of the car so when you really try to get at it with editing you lose all the detail on the front end of the car. Also he lighting is such that its hard to edit without introducing noise into the image. This is why its imperative to get the best base shot you can so your post-processing doesn't degrade the quality of the shot to a noticable level. As far as the overall composition goes using the rule of thirds would have helped and it also wouldn't have hurt if the front wheels were cut the other way either. A nice looking TTII is infinitely better looking at tire tread no matter how cool your tire tread is.



Also thats not the Raptor hood, its the SLP H.O. hood. The hood on the red Trans Am in my original post is the Raptor hood. Two totally different animals. Just giving you a heads up in case you bought the car with the hood already on it and didn't know.

WhiteRabbit22

iTrader: (3)

Yeah I bought it with that hood on it and wasn't sure of the difference between them, but now that you point it out, I can see it. Raptor hood kinda looks like the FireHawk hood.

Anyway, I guess I need to take a whole day and just take some pictures, and work on my picture taking. I don't have that good of a camera, and I don't have a tripod or a monopod (I could make one though). Thanks for the help.

bastien

iTrader: (1)

if it makes you feel better, I usually take around 50 pictures during 1 photoshoot and keep like 5. practice makes perfect.

josh99ta

iTrader: (1)

Same here. Its about a 5:1 ratio as far as keepers go. A normal paid shoot I shoot around 100-150 pictures to get 10-15 good ones. The white LT1 WS6 I just shot recently I took 160+ pictures and got 12 keepers that I really liked. There were others that were OK but I'm talking about the ones that really grab your eye.

DOUBT IT

iTrader: (13)

I wanna play. Never really messed with levels before. Never knew that I could get such a difference with just a small bump.

Here are two that I messed with just a little while ago...

Original


Post


Now Ele-Blue95's car.

Original


Post


I'm thinking about possibly taking some pics of Ele-Blue95's car for the pic of the month. Whatchoo guys think?

phantomzer0

iTrader: (17)

The first one turned out good, but the second one you did too much to. It shouldn;t look obvious that work was done.

bastien

iTrader: (1)

x2, too noticeable. Use the burn tool around the hood scoop.. that white spot attracts my eye.

DOUBT IT

iTrader: (13)

Thanks for the constructive criticism guys. I always welcome it. I'm still a noob when it comes to using PS. I try to learn a little at a time.

I did think AFTER I posted it that the second one looked a little overdone. I'll try again either tonight or tomorrow and re-post my 2nd effort.

Thanks for the advice on using the burn tool, I didn't even think of that, I do use the dodge tool quite a bit though. For some reason, my camera takes dark pictures sometimes.

DOUBT IT

iTrader: (13)

How about this time guys?