South East Scoobies  

Go Back   South East Scoobies > The Studio > Photography Discussion

Photography Discussion All your photographic chit chat

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 22-07-2010, 07:21 PM
AndyWRX's Avatar
AndyWRX AndyWRX is offline
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Surrey
Posts: 2,772
Default Took some London pics

Went to London yesterday with Allan, Emma and Lee for one of Emmas band jobs at Westminster Abbey Gardens , thought id take my SLR along and have a play, got some good pics but should of taken a bigger lense, Had a play with some of the settings but nothing major, 1st time really ive used it properly, any hints and tips would be more than welcome













__________________
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 22-07-2010, 07:22 PM
AndyWRX's Avatar
AndyWRX AndyWRX is offline
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Surrey
Posts: 2,772
Default

Also whats the best photo editing software to use?
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 22-07-2010, 07:38 PM
Steve_PPP's Avatar
Steve_PPP Steve_PPP is offline
Admin, Meets/Events Organiser
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Burgess Hill, Sussex
Posts: 13,267
Default

liking the lighting on the first shot of Big Ben

best photo editing software has to be Photoshop, but not cheap unless you can find a copy somewhere. for basic brightness/contrast level tweaks, cropping etc, i use Paint Shop Pro. Mainly because its simple and i understand it but most photo geeks hate it because its a bit mickey mouse compared to Photoshop.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 23-07-2010, 09:48 AM
Chunk Chunk is offline
SES Mercedes Division
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Redhill, Surrey
Posts: 2,163
Default

Cracking pics mate

Was a good day

Roll on St James Park on the 31st
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 23-07-2010, 10:22 AM
worzel
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Good effort that man

As Steve said, photoshop of some description is the best way to go. But you can pick up Adobe Elements 8 for under £100.00, which does 90% of what Photoshop does, thats a great investment.

Looking at the pics, did you take them in Programme setting (automatic)? It looks like you have, as it has exposed the majority of all of the pictures well.

The ONLY criticism I have (and I hope you take this as constructive mate) is that a few of the pics would have benefitted from having a portrait orientation instead of landscape. So that you could have more of the subject and less of the background.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 23-07-2010, 11:36 AM
worzel
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Andy, I took the liberty of grabbing one of the pics, just to show you what a difference photoshop or elements can make.

This is the original shot:



This is the option 1 pic. I haven't spent much time on these at all, but I have cloned out the leaves and the other distractions, adjusted the levels, cropped and centralised the picture and added a small vignette:




This is the option 2 pic. It is just a quick black & white conversion of the above picture, with a bit more contrast and a curves tweek.

Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 23-07-2010, 03:09 PM
Chunk Chunk is offline
SES Mercedes Division
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Redhill, Surrey
Posts: 2,163
Default

Nice one Worzel
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 23-07-2010, 03:13 PM
worzel
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Just checked on Adobe Elements 8 and it costs £78.00.

Download it from www.adobe.com/uk there is also an option for a free trial (30 days I think?)

It's money very well spent IMHO
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 23-07-2010, 03:38 PM
Crowman
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I think it looks better upside down
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 23-07-2010, 04:55 PM
Steve_PPP's Avatar
Steve_PPP Steve_PPP is offline
Admin, Meets/Events Organiser
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Burgess Hill, Sussex
Posts: 13,267
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Crowman View Post
I think it looks better upside down
Independence Day ship with green laser thingy?
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 23-07-2010, 06:08 PM
worzel
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Now, as Steve said, the pic you took of Big Ben (well the Westminster Clock Tower to be precise ) is a really nicely taken picture Good job matey

With elements you can really play with it though, if you fancy that.

The most obvious thing is a different crop. Cropping it square gives it a totally different look.

I have then made a duplicate rather crudely and quickly, cut out the tower, played with exposure / saturation / contrast in the sky. Then dodged and burned on the tower + a curves tweek. The two layers have then been flattened. Now these are not "classic" things to do to the pictures, it's just to show you how a few quick tweeks can change the picture quite a lot.




Then I did a strong black B&W conversion with contrast and curve tweeks




I hope you don't mind me mucking about with them
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 23-07-2010, 10:17 PM
SeanMcKnetic's Avatar
SeanMcKnetic SeanMcKnetic is offline
Bronze Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Eastbourne
Posts: 222
Default

Not sure how much difference there is between versions 7 and 8 but Morgan Computers has a sale on Adobe Elements 7.

http://www.morgancomputers.co.uk/Sho...ProductID=6078
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 23-07-2010, 10:19 PM
SeanMcKnetic's Avatar
SeanMcKnetic SeanMcKnetic is offline
Bronze Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Eastbourne
Posts: 222
Default

Just spotted they have a good price for Elements 8 also but it says they're out of stock...

http://www.morgancomputers.co.uk/Sho...ProductID=6111
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 24-07-2010, 01:14 AM
worzel
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Theres not much difference between the two really.

Elements 8 does have better stitching for panoramics and a few extras on the filters but apart from that they are fairly similar. I bet 7 is available at a steal too.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 24-07-2010, 02:15 PM
Chunk Chunk is offline
SES Mercedes Division
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Redhill, Surrey
Posts: 2,163
Default

Love the black & white of the westminster clock tower

Will have to get you to do a few pics i've got some time
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 24-07-2010, 03:06 PM
AndyWRX's Avatar
AndyWRX AndyWRX is offline
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Surrey
Posts: 2,772
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by worzel View Post
The ONLY criticism I have (and I hope you take this as constructive mate) is that a few of the pics would have benefitted from having a portrait orientation instead of landscape. So that you could have more of the subject and less of the background.
All criticism welcome mate i need it so i can start using my camera properly and start taking some decent pics,

Cheers for all the comments and tips guys and thankyou to mr worzel for having a play around with some of the pics, as lee said were going to another bandjob next saturday at st james's so im gonna take a better lense and have another go at some others, hopefully the weather holds out

My dad's got adobe photoshop 6 iirc if thats any good? might have a go at installing it on the laptop and see what happens,

Thanks for all the comments guys, any more hints and tips are more than welcome
__________________

Last edited by AndyWRX; 24-07-2010 at 03:10 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 25-07-2010, 12:38 PM
worzel
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

That will be elements 6. And yes, it is well worth getting put on your laptop. You can do pretty much all of the stuff in 6 that you can do in 8.

The only thing that isn't as good is the Panoramic stitching, it leaves very visible join lines. Apart from that, it's got all of the tools you will need.

Out of interest Andy, what camera and lens did you use up in London.

Lee, I can have a fettle with some pics for you, no problem. It's something I enjoy doing
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 25-07-2010, 01:44 PM
Chunk Chunk is offline
SES Mercedes Division
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Redhill, Surrey
Posts: 2,163
Default

Cheers Worzel

Will get some pics sorted in the week
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 06-08-2010, 05:57 AM
Scooby Roo Scooby Roo is offline
Bronze Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Brisvegas Baby
Posts: 177
Default

Andy

Like the Big Ben piccy. If I were to give a tip it would be the "Rule of Thirds". Simple rule that works wonders.

Otherwise mess around with the Shutter priority and aperture priority.

Roo
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 06-08-2010, 09:39 AM
worzel
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scooby Roo View Post
Andy

Like the Big Ben piccy. If I were to give a tip it would be the "Rule of Thirds". Simple rule that works wonders.

Otherwise mess around with the Shutter priority and aperture priority.

Roo


You can set up a thirds grid in your viewfinder to help you there.

I personally started using Aperture Priority of the 2 first, making note of the shutter speed that it gave you, then after a while used shutter priority.

Good call Roo
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 05:23 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.

Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of SouthEastScoobies or any individuals directly or indirectly involved in this website. No responsibility is taken or assumed for any comments or statements made on this or any associated website. Visitors who use this website and rely on, or act on any information do so at their own judgement, discretion and or risk. SouthEastScoobies or its content providers shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising from or otherwise in connection with your use of SouthEastScoobies forums. It is not possible for the Administrators of these forums, or the Moderators participating, to fully and effectively monitor Messages that are submitted for infringement of third party rights. If you believe that any information within the forums infringes your legal rights, or gives cause for concern you should notify an Administrator or a Moderator immediately giving such information to enable the recipient to amend, delete or remove in its entirety the message, at their earliest convenience.