ARTICLE: Good Pictures (Technique, Equipment, Etc)
05-22-2007, 10:44 PM
#142
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Originally Posted by josh99ta
The GIMP is free and does 95% of what Photoshop does, which is just about everything you'd ever need starting out.
I know some of these websites are pieces of **** and will screw a comp up.
05-22-2007, 11:17 PM
#143
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Originally Posted by Black C5 Z06
Is it safe to download though?
I know some of these websites are pieces of **** and will screw a comp up.
I know some of these websites are pieces of **** and will screw a comp up.
http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/stable.html
If you are a student or know somebody who is, sometimes they can get you discounted software online or through their bookstore. Or work on your Google skills and you can probably find the 5 finger discount variety.
05-23-2007, 07:51 PM
#144
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Originally Posted by Zymosis
bastien..how did you get the front of your car to be so 'clear' and shiny looking from pre to post production. I took your initial picture, and can make it look like your post production one, minus that effect. 
I know its blurry, and that pisses me off. I didn't have a tripod, night was falling, and it wasn't my camera. So I snapped 30 quick pics, and only 2 turned out that clear or even close. I even sat on the freaking wet ground to get a better shot with the cam on my knee. But not dice.
Here are 2 more tries. Both times just fiddling with basic shots of the car. Just snapped some quick shots in a driveway.
Suggestions appreciated.
I know its blurry, and that pisses me off. I didn't have a tripod, night was falling, and it wasn't my camera. So I snapped 30 quick pics, and only 2 turned out that clear or even close. I even sat on the freaking wet ground to get a better shot with the cam on my knee. But not dice.
Here are 2 more tries. Both times just fiddling with basic shots of the car. Just snapped some quick shots in a driveway.
Suggestions appreciated.
05-23-2007, 08:58 PM
#145
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Originally Posted by BlackHawk T/A
What did you change? Whatever it was it really brought out a lot of speckles on the car.
05-23-2007, 10:11 PM
#146
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Sharpening introduces noise, period. The trick is to find the balance. 
This is where its key to start with the absolute best possible image first and foremost. Using proper lighting, a steady hand or tripod, and keeping the ISO as low as possible is almost a necessity.
This is where its key to start with the absolute best possible image first and foremost. Using proper lighting, a steady hand or tripod, and keeping the ISO as low as possible is almost a necessity. 
05-28-2007, 02:39 PM
#148
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Nice writeup Josh! You're going to have to come up with something new now that everyone knows how you work . j/k with ya
Note: stay away from Photoshop filters from the filter menu, those should almost never be used. Also, using the brightness/contrast tool lowers image quality. Use Curves instead. Layer masks and duplicate layers are your friend! General rule, never work on the background layer. Hope I didn't repeat anything from Josh's tutorial, I didn't read the whole thing very closely.
. j/k with yaNote: stay away from Photoshop filters from the filter menu, those should almost never be used. Also, using the brightness/contrast tool lowers image quality. Use Curves instead. Layer masks and duplicate layers are your friend! General rule, never work on the background layer. Hope I didn't repeat anything from Josh's tutorial, I didn't read the whole thing very closely.
Last edited by f50nut; 11-27-2007 at 08:02 PM.
09-10-2007, 12:17 PM
#151
Very nice, I want to do this now! Though I think I need to fix up my car first, though hmm maybe I could take a pic of the good side and photochop out the bad spots 
Here's a question though, I have a Canon digital rebel XT and when I shoot in RAW it gives me a CR2 file (I think it is) and photoshop doesn't want to open it. Any ideas what to do about that?
Here's a question though, I have a Canon digital rebel XT and when I shoot in RAW it gives me a CR2 file (I think it is) and photoshop doesn't want to open it. Any ideas what to do about that?
09-10-2007, 01:18 PM
#152
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Getting a little better at this.
I found that layering and blending can give some nice results.
This is the original shot from the camera.
Here is the one I processed.
I found that layering and blending can give some nice results.
This is the original shot from the camera.
Here is the one I processed.
09-10-2007, 10:22 PM
#153
Sold The Fun Stuff :(
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Much, much, MUCH better Freak! I actually dont do any layer blending but its something I need to work on. Care to share some tips and tricks on it or a basic guideline to go by to do it effectively?
Sparky, hopefully one of the Canon guys will see this and help you out because I dont know about Canon files.
Sparky, hopefully one of the Canon guys will see this and help you out because I dont know about Canon files.
09-10-2007, 11:07 PM
#154
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Its A lot of trial and error to get the layers to blend they way I like. I also cut the car out and did a layer or two on just the background. If I get to the point where I have a standard way of doing it, I will post the info here.
Thanks Josh!
Thanks Josh!
09-11-2007, 07:02 AM
#155
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Originally Posted by bastien
nice write up man. I am gonna post a before/after picture you can use in your original post if you want.
Before Post-Processing:
After:
Before Post-Processing:
After:
... but it came out blurry 
This picture looks amazing and i want it as my desktop! Thank you!
09-11-2007, 07:40 AM
#156
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dang. this thread is so addicting, or well editing pictures is that it was 5 am when i got home from working midnights and i'm still on at 730...TIRED but i love editing
Here I tried... tell me what I can do to make it better! Before..After..Mess around.
Before:
After:
Black/White:
Since the these pictures I have done the following.. !Molding, tinted the 3rd brake light, corners, and sidemarkers, Black Z06 rims with Chrome lips, Tail light covers, AND removed the decals on the doors(!Molding) and the windshield decal. Looks much cleaner and nicer!
Here I tried... tell me what I can do to make it better! Before..After..Mess around.
Before:
After:
Black/White:
Since the these pictures I have done the following.. !Molding, tinted the 3rd brake light, corners, and sidemarkers, Black Z06 rims with Chrome lips, Tail light covers, AND removed the decals on the doors(!Molding) and the windshield decal. Looks much cleaner and nicer!
09-11-2007, 07:10 PM
#159
Sold The Fun Stuff :(
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Timmy, very nice. The colors are really popping, almost too much, but looks much better than the original.
Ryan, just a touch too dark. I love the black and white but it could use more whitepoint (contrast via filters helps with this). Much better than the original on both edits though.
You guys are getting the hang of it.
Ryan, just a touch too dark. I love the black and white but it could use more whitepoint (contrast via filters helps with this). Much better than the original on both edits though.
You guys are getting the hang of it.
09-11-2007, 07:53 PM
#160
Thx, that was a long time ago when I did that one. How's this one? If you can make it better go ahead and try, but make sure you tell me exactly what you did to it. I want to learn more.
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
Last edited by allbaugh_04; 09-11-2007 at 08:12 PM.