Cannon boy

[tlittleton]

I was at the Texas Capitol building a couple of days ago and caught this shot. I had to play around with the RAW image a bit to get it looking a bit better. Any thoughts? Something I missed? Something I shouldn't have done? I've got the original untouched image shown below.

EXIF data here (http://tlittleton.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=32282539)

http://tlittleton.smugmug.com/photos/32282536-L.jpg
Original:
http://tlittleton.smugmug.com/photos/32282539-L.jpg

I'm thinking I need to tweak the color on the grass under the cannon some more. Still a little washed out?

[NHBubba]

Kewl shot! I'm no expert, but I think it looks pretty darn good as is.. It might be a touch bright, but then I wouldn't be surprised if it was my monitor here at work. I keep it jacked up for reading code all day..

Just wanted to add a comment that that Capitol building ya'll have in Austin is one highly photogenic building. I've been twice, both times as side trips when attending weddings of friends that settled down there. I can't get over how impressive that building is. I have a whole gallery (http://www.pbase.com/nhbubba/texasstatehouse) plus a pano (http://www.pbase.com/image/29458840) of the place.. I even enlarged and framed one shot. Places like that help make good photographs!

[pathfinder]

Set a soft brush in Photoshop to Overlay Blending mode at about 12-15% and the grass will darken right up as your brush over it. You aca even select the Canon with the color selection tool and Inverse to omit the canon from the overlay blending.
Give it a try and see if you don't like it. Or search here on dgrin for the Cletus method of burning in

[wxwax]

So you're only looking for a Photoshop whipping, right?

The problem is that the shot was made in overcast, flat light. So the challenge it to make it pop. Neither of these does.

I'd play with curves, to increase the contrast. I'd also play a bit with Selective Color/Black, for the same reason. And of course, Saturation. But there's only so much you can do in flat light.

I'd also consider using the dodge/burn method of your choice to do some selective darkening. That might help give the shot some depth.

It could be that this is a good candidate for B&W.

[tlittleton]

Sid, you're right about the overcast. The clouds were coming and going pretty quick, and the sun was behind them when I took this one. I've never really play with dodge and burn in photoshop. I should be able to find some tutorials online.

I've got the shot separated into a bunch of layers with different elements, the grass being one of them. I love that magic eraser. I'll play around with the contrast levels some more.

Thanks guys

So you're only looking for a Photoshop whipping, right?

The problem is that the shot was made in overcast, flat light. So the challenge it to make it pop. Neither of these does.

I'd play with curves, to increase the contrast. I'd also play a bit with Selective Color/Black, for the same reason. And of course, Saturation. But there's only so much you can do in flat light.

I'd also consider using the dodge/burn method of your choice to do some selective darkening. That might help give the shot some depth.

It could be that this is a good candidate for B&W.

[wxwax]

Hey Thomas, I strongly recommend the Cletus method. (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=2478) It's much gentler and far more controllable than the regular Dodge and Burn tool in PS. I use the Cletus Method an awful lot.