Before and after post processing

I switched from film to digital photography a couple of years ago, and am now feeling that I know my digital camera (almost) as good as my old film-based camera. However, there is one aspect of digital photography where I need some inspiration, and that is post processing. I hope some of you are willing to show me some images before and after post processing to give me (and others?) an idea of what can be done and how. It doesn't have to be huge changes, all kind of PP from minor sharpening and colour adjustment to HDR, all entries are welcome. I just want to know what you experts do to improve your pictures, and how the picture looked before you started.


I will start off with a macro shot I did a few months ago. The original was cropped, then sharpened, and I increased colour saturation and contrast (I'm sorry, I don't remember how much). For this image, I used DPP, but I did another try with Aperture 2, and got very similar result. If it was an improvement is a matter of taste, I guess. I just wanted a nice colourful backround image on my computer.


I hope you will join me on this.


Lars


Before


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/13/0167.20100823_2D00_01.JPG[/img]


After


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Components-UserFiles/00-00-00-39-80/Herfindal_2D00_06.jpg[/img]

Interesting thread, Lars.



Here's a shot of some firefighters that I got in early September. I would consider this an extreme example of the processing I regularily do to my pictures. Below is the original (out-of-camera) shot and the same shot after adjustments were made in Lightroom/Photoshop.



1. Original right out of the camera:


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/13/6835.IMG_5F00_1622.jpg[/img]





2. After post-processing:


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Components-UserFiles/00-00-00-26-94/GardinerCrash_2D00_1.jpg[/img]

I am more than ready for a post-processing 101 crash course! I am going to love this thread!!


I will try and find one that I did that I didn

I must admit that I am a bit disappointed by the lack of respons on this thread. I chose to believe that it was because it was too rapidly pushed out from the first page, rather than that people are scared of showing their pictures before post-processing (perhaps a longer list of post on the first page will make them live longer?).


I try to revive it, and hope some other are willing to give examples on their post-processing abilities.

ok, this is mine, thanks for the thread.


before


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/800x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/13/7506.DPP_5F00_00046.JPG[/img]


after


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/13/4857.IMG_5F00_1319.jpg[/img]


thanks for viewing!

Cool example, JJ Photo. I would have never guessed your final image would have resulted from a crop of the original. Looks good to me! [Y]

I would post some great examples, but my fairly new data hard drive died on me a couple days ago, and I lost all of my photos. Maybe I can do something with a photo that

Here's my extreme example. Took this with a powershot 2 years ago at the beach house in Hawaii before I really started getting into photography. I believe it was taken as a JPEG image as I didn't know anything about RAW back then. Here is my photoshop take on the pic. I became a big fan of Christian Riese Lassen on the trip thanks to my sister. That is the over-the-top saturated effect I was going for.


Before


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x550/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/13/6378.before.jpg[/img]








and After


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x550/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/13/5875.after.jpg[/img]

Fun thread! I must have missed it the first go-round. This is Cat Creek Falls, in Kananaskis Alberta. I don't usually put this much post-processing into my shots, but I liked what it did in this case.


Before


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/800x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/13/6215._5F00_MG_5F00_0421_2D00_3.jpg[/img]


After


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/800x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/13/7522._5F00_MG_5F00_0421_2D00_4.jpg[/img]

Sorry Lars, I had never seen this thread before and I'm loving it!!! Great thread! [:D]


Sometimes I like to do a lot in post-processing, but mostly I keep it simple and "natural". This one needed some:


http://www.actieinbeeld.nl/tdp/halloween1.jpg


I'll post another type of picture as well [;)]

One of my HDR's....the originals: Normal exposure, -2 exposure, +2 exposure


http://www.actieinbeeld.nl/tdp/hdroriginals.jpg


http://www.actieinbeeld.nl/tdp/hdrpost.jpg

Jan, Very nice shot.


Here is one of my first successful HDR shots. If I recall, It ranged from +2 to -4ev, 7 shots


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/800x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/13/2185.HDR-Contact-Sheet.jpg[/img]





And the Final product---Sorry to those that have seen this before.


http://rwilliamsimaging.com/img/s5/v4/p83817596-4.jpg

Does this count?


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Components-UserFiles/00-00-00-47-09/2122.jpg[/img]


After


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Components-UserFiles/00-00-00-47-09/Colored-Pencil.jpg[/img]

Here's couple of my horrendous goofs from the other day at the zoo! It's the result of going from sun to shade to sun to in a building to outside all day long, after awhile I lost track of my settings and almost of my toddler grandchild![:O]


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1433/...aac26eb8c9.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/...697697c808.jpg


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/...9b49e0b7ba.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/...ef4ae05d2f.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HDNitehawk

Does this count?

---

Ok, Nitehawk, What did you do here and why? Just curious[*-)]---I am guessing I just became the victim of a joke


Bob

Denise, Very nice recovery on both images

Denise, Very nice recovery on both images

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bob Williams

Ok, Nitehawk, What did you do here and why? Just curious[img]/emoticons/emotion-42.gif[/img]---I am guessing I just became the victim of a joke


Bob

---

Nah no joke...it was photoshop CS4, colored pencil. Maybe not what OP had in mind. It looks really cool printed off but shrinking it down to post here takes away from it.


Of course, I like it as a picture more. Other than maybe setting the picture style, it came out of the camera just as it looks now.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HDNitehawk

Nah no joke...it was photoshop CS4, colored pencil. Maybe not what OP had in mind. It looks really cool printed off but shrinking it down to post here takes away from it.


Of course, I like it as a picture more. Other than maybe setting the picture style, it came out of the camera just as it looks now.

---

Oh, OK,----Well, your right it probably doesn't look as good on screen as it did printed---But, If you could brighten the butterfly and increase vibrance a bit, itmight be a pretty cool shot even on screen. Just my 2cw


Thanks for sharing,


Bob

<div>


The image I used as an example of backfocusing in the AFMA thread seems like a good candidate for this one as well (the size reduction here masks the fact that the focal plane is behind the eye, despite using spot AF on the eye). It was shot with the 70-300mm DO lens, which due to the diffractive optics really benefits from increasing both the contrast and the sharpness during post processing. I also cropped and changed the orientation, and pushed the saturation a bit to brighten the subject and also add some 'pop' to the little ladybug on the underside of the lily pad.


Before: [img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Components-UserFiles/00-00-00-35-15/FrogBefore.jpg[/img]


After: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/...3480c87f_z.jpg
</div>

I can't find the original, but thought about posting a stacked image.


Focus on the eye was crisp, but not so much the rest of him.


http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ab_NE46pN8...7_30_05706.jpg


I shifted focus slightly and was able to get a little more of the hairs on his back in focus.


http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ab_NE46pN8...7_30_05705.jpg


Here is the resulting image after combining the two photos in photoshop CS5. I was only able to capture two shots as the little guy decided to fly away or I would have maybe a little more in focus. All shots were taken with the Canon 7D, 100mm macro (original), and modified 430 ex II to make the light softer.


http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ab_NE46pN8.../s1600/Fly.jpg


Hope that was interesting to someone who doesn't understand focus stacking.


Jayson

Here is a shot I took a couple of months ago


BEFORE


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/13/1856.Web_2D00_5460_2D00_3.jpg[/img]


AFTER


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/13/8132.Web_2D00_5460_2D00_2.jpg[/img]

Tonight I bought the DxO Optics 6 &amp; the Helicon Filter 5.0. Here's a few photos I quickly tried them on ...


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/...5016f70485.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/...0fa8bd3334.jpg


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1207/...3929d5884e.jpghttp://farm2.static.flickr.com/1212/...12f44d2232.jpghttp://farm2.static.flickr.com/1371/...0069012fdd.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/...992826c978.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/...389c22d5a1.jpghttp://farm2.static.flickr.com/1048/...944265a9f2.jpg


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1233/...d9b34eba52.jpghttp://farm2.static.flickr.com/1131/...6d886c5863.jpg

Here's one I photoshopped quite a bit...taken a few years ago in Piedmont Park, Atlanta.


back then I had just a Canon PowerShot A590 IS





http://patrickdurham.net/img/IMG_1878.jpg





after





http://patrickdurham.net/img/When_th...ry_is_real.jpg:

Patham: Like the effect! Never seen this done before but I like it.


Stephen

Before


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/640x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/13/1016.IMG_5F00_3768_5F00_small.JPG[/img]





After


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/...b0e984c6_z.jpg

Before


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/...3469af24_z.jpg


After (vintae film look)


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/...718623fb_z.jpg


Before


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/...228c2f289f.jpg


After (no look in particular, just brough out colors, the book title, and textures)


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/...b30d4c6703.jpg

It's really interesting to see the different styles people apply to their images. Great thread! Here's one of mine, took a very long time to clone out the old car left of frame. This is from an engagement shoot I did a little while back. I'm shooting the wedding in 2 weeks.


Thanks for looking!


Before:


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/13/6840.Simon-and-Sherina_2D00_1_2D00_116.jpg[/img]


After:


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/13/1563.t.jpg[/img]

Here's one of my grand-daughter taken under very poor lighting conditions.


http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...reAndAfter.jpg

This is one of my step Grand-daughter taken at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, NC.


http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...s/Kayla-BA.jpg

Ghoulish Halloween humor and I have a question. The original picture (my library) is a jpeg and I would like to further enhance (sic) the 2nd photo by placing the head at the feet of the children, turned 90* to the right.


I work in CS3....if someone could help me w/the step by step process to make this manipulation, I would appreciate it. I also plan to put a pool of blood around the head.


I promise my nephew and niece will not see their father's head at their feet and the headless torso.


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/800x600/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/13/6787.A-J2-J-Halloween-2010-orig-copy.jpg[/img]


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/800x891/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/13/2605.Allison-J2-_2600_-Headless-monster-Halloween-2010-copy.jpg[/img]


Thank you


Bill

Bill, Before you make the layer to remove the head like you did, make another layer from a selection of the head. Then make your layer and remove the head doing whatever you did to get it like in your second image that way it will be gone and out of your way. Next, activate the layer copy of the head and select the Move tool to move it where you want. if you need to rotate it you can use the free transform or rotate tools. You'll have to smooth and feather the edges too.





Additionally, If you wish to make the blood look more gory / realistic, If CS3 has the same filters as CS4 and CS4 then make a selection of the blood only and create a mask for that selection then go into Filters / Artistic / Plastic Wrap. The Plastic Wrap does a good job of making blood look more realistic and gory. And maybe use the smudge tool to gradually blend/smudge the blood down the sweatshirt.

Thanks Tim.......I'll try the layers &amp; mask (my weaknesses) and I hadn't thought about filters and smudge tool for the blood.


If I have satisfactory success, I'll re-post the result.


Edit; I've spent a few minutes w/your suggestion for making gorier, realistic blood. The filters are the same in 3 &amp; 4....I used the smudge first, then plastic wrap, adjusted color, then tried water paper. The water paper filter resulted in a blood spattering effect.....very nice looking in conjunction w/the other tools. The effect is better in the whole pic.


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/800x500/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/13/8372.blood-splatter.jpg[/img]


Now it's on to layers, masking and moving....wish me luck.


Regards,


Bill

Good Luck!


Working with layers and layer masks is still one of my weak points with Photoshop, but I am learning. There is so much more you can do, more than many people can possibly imagine, when utilizing them right. Playing around with the various filters is fun also.


Here is an example of me working on the Rosette Nebula.


http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3.../handsfree.jpg


Here is my 6 month old grand daughter for Halloween.
http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accoun...=1285954779000

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by btaylor

It's really interesting to see the different styles people apply to their images. Great thread! Here's one of mine, took a very long time to clone out the old car left of frame. This is from an engagement shoot I did a little while back. I'm shooting the wedding in 2 weeks.


Thanks for looking!


Before:


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/13/6840.Simon-and-Sherina_2D00_1_2D00_116.jpg[/img]


After:


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/13/1563.t.jpg[/img]
<div style="clear: both;"]</div>

---

This was a great effect. I would be delighted to know what software and filters/adjustment you did to create the image. I tend to be too careful when I post-process images, and have never managed something like this...


Lars

Tim....just a bit disconnected while working on the nebula? And your granddaughter has quite the choppers for 6 months....if I remember correctly JJphoto is a dentist....maybe he can help.


Yeah, layers and masking are going to take me longer......love that step back option.

Bill, I see something else in you latest picture. I can see the edge outline! You can probably fix that using a selection tool, modify the selection to expand it, and then smooth and feather. or you can use the blur tool. But I would probably prefer something like the color dodge or color burn tools and lightly brush over them to blend those edges better.

Joey, as shot - for a 1/4 second at 18mm, f/3.5, ISO 6400 using 18-55mm IS kit lens, Auto White Balance


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/...bb821f86_b.jpg


White balance tweaked via color temperature slider then "Tune" button to adjust for tint. Chroma noise reduction maxed, and luma noise reduction increased slightly. Very slight pull down with curves.


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/...b9ab14fb_b.jpg


Saturation increased, contrast increased, curve used to bring highlights down quickly, and a small boost applied to shadows.


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1307/...99de6960_b.jpg

Ok, so my first "real" attempt to post process something. Other pics the Osprey was more centered, but also out of focus.


Canon 7D, 100-400L at 400mm, 1/1000th, f/11, ISO 400


Before:


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/800x0/__key/CommunityServer-Components-UserFiles/00-00-00-46-64-Birds/Osprey-1.JPG[/img]


After adjusting brightness, contrast and mid-tone in Microsoft Office Picture Manager ([:D]). I'll try DPP and Photoshop, but I did this quickly this morning and liked the results.


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/800x0/__key/CommunityServer-Components-UserFiles/00-00-00-46-64-Birds/Osprey-2.JPG[/img]

A Before and After of a Full Moon Rise over the trees and power lines.
Using Photoshop CS5e I did a little content Aware fill using paths to remove the power lines, a little Faux HDR Toning to bring out the detail and contrast within the trees, and then finally a little levels adjustment to fine tune the mid-tone contrast a touch.


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/800x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/13/4150.MoonRiseBNA.jpg[/img]