One of the post-production questions I'm often asked is "how do you know when to stop?", and there isn't an easy answer, at least not when you're relatively inexperienced. For example, when I first started blogging – back in the days when I was posting an image a day – I used to stop working on an image when I ran out of time. At that point I might not have created the best possible image or version, but I stopped and posted it anyway.
These days I can normally work my way through an image and end up with a version that I'm a) happy with, and b) fairly confident is better than the alternatives. On this occasion though I've worked through a whole range of alternatives, all of which I've liked, but none of which have really stood out as being noticeably superior to the others.
So, as an alternative to spending a good part of today reprocessing this one yet again, here's the 'cold' version. There was a black and white version (which I discarded because my previous shot of the same scene was in black and white), a warmer version (which didn't really fit with the overall mood I was trying to create), and a Lab Color version (which I couldn't get quite right), any of which you might have preferred, but it's Sunday and I'll probably end up in trouble with the 'powers that be' if I spend any more time working on this one rather than "doing something useful" ;-)
captured camera lens aperture shutter speed shooting mode exposure bias metering mode ISO flash image quality RAW converter image editor plugins (etc) cropped?
comment byGusztav at 09:45 AM (GMT) on 17 April, 2011
looks better in color. great shot. I like the depth of field.
comment byDan Kaufman at 10:50 AM (GMT) on 17 April, 2011
Yes. This color version is much stronger than its black and white predecessor. And the clear focus on Rhowan's face draws me in to her story...for which the red lines definitely underscore. A masterful job.
comment byCarlos Garcia at 11:00 AM (GMT) on 17 April, 2011
I like both images David. The colors on the blackboard compliment the colors that Rhowan is wearing... nice contemplative moment.
comment byJim Denham at 02:28 PM (GMT) on 17 April, 2011
Definitely a different feel to it than the black and white from yesterday. More contemplative than emotional and the colors really add to whole frame!
comment byJames Howe at 02:41 PM (GMT) on 17 April, 2011
It's amazing how relatively small changes can make a big change in the image. The original image being brighter around the edges does not draw my eye into the image as much. With a bit of darkening, particularly on the left side my eyes are drawn right into the image. I think I prefer this color version to the b&w, but each has its attractions.
Nice composition and depth of field + fine postprocessing = Beautiful picture
comment byJessica Sweeney at 07:27 PM (GMT) on 17 April, 2011
I like the processing of this one a lot. Seems just right for the image.
comment byPavan Kaul at 03:59 AM (GMT) on 18 April, 2011
Fabulous shot David and beautifully processed!!
comment byChris at 05:05 AM (GMT) on 18 April, 2011
Both images are good and creative. I like this one more than the first one. I enjoy the treatment you gave the image as well as how you captured it. The bold colors and softness works very well.
By the way, what happens to you if you get in trouble, as you mentioned in your description? :)
comment bydjn1 at 07:09 AM (GMT) on 18 April, 2011
Thanks everyone :)
Chris: I get a gentle reminder that I'm also one of the parents of our children :)
The image looks nice. The colors of the images are beautifully complimentary to each other.
comment byMichael Tuuk at 02:54 AM (GMT) on 7 May, 2011
Amazing transformation. Would love to know how you fixed the board to match the lit portion to the shadow portion. Just showed the image to some my children -- they love it.
One of the post-production questions I'm often asked is "how do you know when to stop?", and there isn't an easy answer, at least not when you're relatively inexperienced. For example, when I first started blogging – back in the days when I was posting an image a day – I used to stop working on an image when I ran out of time. At that point I might not have created the best possible image or version, but I stopped and posted it anyway.
These days I can normally work my way through an image and end up with a version that I'm a) happy with, and b) fairly confident is better than the alternatives. On this occasion though I've worked through a whole range of alternatives, all of which I've liked, but none of which have really stood out as being noticeably superior to the others.
So, as an alternative to spending a good part of today reprocessing this one yet again, here's the 'cold' version. There was a black and white version (which I discarded because my previous shot of the same scene was in black and white), a warmer version (which didn't really fit with the overall mood I was trying to create), and a Lab Color version (which I couldn't get quite right), any of which you might have preferred, but it's Sunday and I'll probably end up in trouble with the 'powers that be' if I spend any more time working on this one rather than "doing something useful" ;-)
camera
lens
aperture
shutter speed
shooting mode
exposure bias
metering mode
ISO
flash
image quality
RAW converter
image editor
plugins (etc)
cropped?
Canon 5D Mark II
EF 35mm f/1.4L USM
f/1.4
1/250
aperture priority
+2/3
evaluative
100
no
RAW
Camera Raw
Photoshop CS5
none
2x1
looks better in color. great shot. I like the depth of field.
Yes. This color version is much stronger than its black and white predecessor. And the clear focus on Rhowan's face draws me in to her story...for which the red lines definitely underscore. A masterful job.
I like both images David. The colors on the blackboard compliment the colors that Rhowan is wearing... nice contemplative moment.
Definitely a different feel to it than the black and white from yesterday. More contemplative than emotional and the colors really add to whole frame!
It's amazing how relatively small changes can make a big change in the image. The original image being brighter around the edges does not draw my eye into the image as much. With a bit of darkening, particularly on the left side my eyes are drawn right into the image. I think I prefer this color version to the b&w, but each has its attractions.
Nice composition and depth of field + fine postprocessing = Beautiful picture
I like the processing of this one a lot. Seems just right for the image.
Fabulous shot David and beautifully processed!!
Both images are good and creative. I like this one more than the first one. I enjoy the treatment you gave the image as well as how you captured it. The bold colors and softness works very well.
By the way, what happens to you if you get in trouble, as you mentioned in your description? :)
Thanks everyone :)
Chris: I get a gentle reminder that I'm also one of the parents of our children :)
The image looks nice. The colors of the images are beautifully complimentary to each other.
Amazing transformation. Would love to know how you fixed the board to match the lit portion to the shadow portion. Just showed the image to some my children -- they love it.