To post-process or not?

[Azman MN 1]

Hi guys,

 

maybe some of you pros can help - I tested a new lense today when the fog here finally lifted... was happy with the pictures straight out of camera. Then I pressed the auto levels button on A.Elements and I see a big difference. I'm not sure which is better... straight up or with PP? What do you think? I only used the "auto levels" function and can already see some potential... Any hints on how to PP this even better? Or would you suggest that I adjust the settings on my camera instead? Thanks very much for your help.

 

Canon 350D with the new 70-300mm IS USM

 

original:

 

Processed:

 

original:

 

processed:

[Benjamin Ho 0]

I would go for original. Looks more ori than the processed one

 

Ben-G

[Gavin Andrew David 6]

MH 777 rotation shot really nice

The first MH one , I prefer the unprocessed one

With the swiss air , i'm not too sure

[Guest Fendy]

actually when i process my shots i never use the auto tools. i always tweak it manually.

[T Azahan 1]

azman, i prefer the original. because what u see is what u get. then i would do slight editing via photoshop.

[Norman 1]

Azman,

 

As Fendy mentioned, I would go for post-processing

either using Photoshop or Paintshop and Neat Image,

and not using the "auto" functions, tweak it manually until it comes out "nice".

 

In Photoshop, the "Level" function can make corrections to

some error in camera's white balance setting. I think some camera Auto WB

is not perfect, and eventho' you're using "customised" WB, it'll changed

during the shot when colour temperature differs...

 

My worst example here when I forgot to change back cam's WB setting

from tungsten (internal lighting) to outside WB... LCD/EFV lowya... cannot see

properly in bright daylight..

 

Original

 

PP using Level manually by changing the RGB levels..

 

In your example, the PP ones are more colour rich as if

you're using ND filter, removing the haze.

But since you're using "Auto Level"... they're a bit over processed.

 

I likened the PP using PS as some minor adjustment in the dark room

during my old B&W film days...

 

And if you want to try out more,

try using "Shadow/Highlight", "Curve", "Color Balance", "Exposure"

as well as USM (Unsharp Mask in Filter)...

these are the more common editing functions used

 

And also... if there're some noises (especially consumer P&S)

I would use Neat Image (www.neatimage.com) to remove the noises.

You can download the demo function & still usable. Also download

the "Device Profile" for relevant digicam model to be used.

 

Of course... some images came out perfect where you don't need to do PP

Especially in expensive dSLR digicam..

 

My 2sen worth..

[Fitri Shukri 0]

azman, i prefer the original. because what u see is what u get. then i would do slight editing via photoshop.

14040[/snapback]

 

Azahan,

What do you mean by 'slight editing via photoshop'?

I think that was what Azman did, a slight editing via photoshop. He mentioned that he uses a Adobe Photoshop Elements, so it still is Photoshop.

 

Azman,

Why not at least use the "Auto Contrast". It is just below the "Auto Level" button. Auto Level = Auto Contrast + Auto Color. So expect some color changes. But Auto Contrast alone won't affect the color that much. And I believe Auto Contrast can help to get rid of some exposure problems also.

Also, since you are using Canon EOS, I understand it is soft at default setting, unlike sharp setting straight out from Nikon DSLR. So you might have to do some sharpening also. I believe Radzi and Chaity can help, they use Canon EOS DSLR also. Most members with DSLR here use Nikon, so different post processing priorities. I use Canon FilmSLR only, so process at Fuji Digital Image labs only

BTW, nice new lense there. What do you think of the lense? How is the Image Stabilization and focusing speed of the lense? And how is the image quality at 300mm setting?

[Fitri Shukri 0]

Original

 

PP using Level manually by changing the RGB levels..

14047[/snapback]

 

Norman,

 

I like the first/original photo. Nostalgic look. But that women on the ship spoil the nostalgic look a bit! Maybe can use photoshop to 'hilangkan' that women. If cannot use bomoh-lah

[Norman 1]

Fitri... for nostalgic look, I prefer this one

 

 

Post-processed using desaturate, apply Sepia filter, add noise...

 

And for the woman... managed to get hold of Mr PadangTembaga

to removed her...

 

Sorry Azman, hijacked your thread pulak...

[Radzi 2]

I am quite hopeless on post-processing; I don't even know how to use Photoshop. I use ArcSoft Photosuite that comes with my G5.

 

Normally what I do is adjust the contrast and levels, saturation and sharpen. And crop and resize, of course.

 

But Fitri is right, Canon is a bit soft straight out of the camera. But no green tinge like Nikon D70.

[Ibrahim 0]

I think it overpowering... u can do this with photoshop. using brighness and contrast control.. with photoshop will not overpowering it. auto level in photoshop also can do this.. like Norman says.

Edited November 10, 2005 by Ibrahim

[Azman MN 1]

Thanks guys. Sounds like the general preference is for pics to look as natural as possible with just a little bit of pp. So I tried out the contrast adjustments and unsharp mask (why do they call it unsharp?) and here's the result.

 

Original

 

 

 

Processed

 

 

 

The more I play around, the more I realize that I like the original.

 

 

 

[Ibrahim 0]

I using the Brightness Adjustment on PS and this is the final product.. I do this because the grass show u take the shoot on a hot day..

 

 

 

 

Edited November 10, 2005 by Ibrahim

[Azman MN 1]

Thanks Ibrahim, very subtle changes.. I think now I'm getting it!

 

Hot day? We are in winter It was 5 degrees and my hands were shaking while taking the pic... not used to the cold yet after a nice warm autumn. Thank god I have the Image Stabilizer on the lens!

 

 

[Ibrahim 0]

Hot day? We are in winter    It was 5 degrees and my hands were shaking while taking the pic... not used to the cold yet after a nice warm autumn.  Thank god I have the Image Stabilizer on the lens!

14087[/snapback]

 

Oh.. Hehehe.. So Stupid me laaa.. Thinking of same grass like Malaysia one. hahahahaha. Anyway Nice Capture you must open A.net or JP.net account now... look like u got high quality picture.. Good job.

 

[Norman 1]

Azman,

 

I also did some PP with your pix... hope you don't mind

 

This one I adjusted the Level individually in R,G&B

Adjust Exposure - Exposure = +0.2, Offset=-0.03 & Gamma = +1.1

Adjust Curve to balance the colour

Apply Unsharp Mask (the name comes from old darkroom technique to sharpen

blurred film images.... anoher story)

I'm using Amount=75%, Radius=1, hreshold=20

 

This example, I did some cropping since you don't have a level horizon

Adjust Level individually i R, G & B

Exposure = +0.1, Offset = -0.02, Gamma =1.2

Apply Unsharp Mask with a little bit higher Amount = 130% since the image

a bit soft;

 

And both I added your watermark using Photoshop...

Anybody interested of the technique... can start a new thread.

 

You can judge, since its up to beholder. But I like some PP

rather than staright out.

 

BTW For info... I tried using NeatImage to remove noises created by PP...

not worth it since they're at minimal... great digicam this 350D

 

--

[Min Chun 0]

uahh..5 degrees oni (only) ar....syiok loh! Malaysia will not and never has this type of weather

[Azman MN 1]

Norman,

 

Thanks for all the tips - I have to try. Watermark? Good idea! I did not even realize that the shots were not level. Have to learn to see properly.

 

Min Chun.. wait lah.. Dec/Jan it will be below zero... Then go snowboarding at minus 20....

 

Ibrahim... grass the same... only I don't have to mow the lawn between Nov. and March...

 

[Azman MN 1]

Here's some more pics. Got the new lens a week ago. Weather mostly all fogged up... suddenly the sun came out and I rushed to the airport. Timing not so good because I just missed the SQ744, and most flights were Swiss. Plus I only have lunch break.. not a lot of time...

 

 

A330 to Dubai

 

to Boston

 

to Miami

 

to Narita. Female co-pilot! Didn't know they do heavies. And upon arrival at narita... do they get female baggage handlers in makeup and safety helmet?...

 

 

[Azman MN 1]

Fitri,

 

I really like this lens. I tried a friend's 70-200F4 L and liked that, unfortunately it is out of stock everywhere (because there is a rebate now CHF900-150 = CHF750=RM2200). While waiting, this new lens came out so after reading some reviews I grabbed it. Slightly smaller and lighter and BLACK! Costs the same as the L glass (CHF745). The IS is really helpful. Focus not as fast as the L. Quality of pics... I'm not good enough to tell.

 

Some close ups : @300mm (bear in mind I was shaking a bit because it was cold)

 

 

100% crop @250mm

 

not cropped @300mm

[Ibrahim 0]

Waooo.. Nice Nose Shoot.. Open your Account at A.net so we can see the Big size of it.. :thumbup: All the Swiss Aircraft pic Look Realy Nice.

[Raj 0]

Nice shots Azman...

Really like the shots of the Swiss A330...

awesome man..

[Min Chun 0]

Here's some more pics. Got the new lens a week ago. Weather mostly all fogged up... suddenly the sun came out and I rushed to the airport. Timing not so good because I just missed the SQ744, and most flights were Swiss. Plus I only have lunch break.. not a lot of time...

A330 to Dubai

 

 

to Narita. Female co-pilot! Didn't know they do heavies. And upon arrival at narita... do they get female baggage handlers in makeup and safety helmet?... 

14117[/snapback]

 

 

nice wingflex there although just a bit..nice shots!