B&W Police Car

[lr1811]

Just playing around with a photo I took earlier today.

Photoshop NOVICE - B&W, Gaussian Blur on building in background, and added slight grain.

Am I on the right track for this photo or should I adondon ship now? :dunno

Thanks!
Brian
http://www.studiotownsend.com/

[marlof]

Great picture. I love these shots that are telling a story of their own. You just can't look at them, and *don't* wonder what has happened. The B&W conversion worked for me, it adds a nice flavor to the piture.

[fish]

I like it too. What's the story? :ear

[Angelo]

just wondering what a tight crop would look like?

[4labs]

Interesting shot.. I'd just play with levels or curves as it seems a tad flat..

[lr1811]

Thanks,

I do not know the history behind this. I was working in Forrest City, AR yesterday (between Little Rock, AR and Memphis, TN) and ran across this wrecked patrol car sitting next to the county jail. I always have my camera with me and I thought it would be a cool shot.

I like the crop Angelo, I'll play around with that. The reason I blurred the building is because I didn't want it to distract from the story - cropping does that also!

And I'll play with the curves and levels some also. I guess this is a good time to ask, what exactly does "flat" mean? I've seen that comment before and have never really understood it.

Thanks again!
Brian
http://www.studiotownsend.com/

[wxwax]

Thanks,
I guess this is a good time to ask, what exactly does "flat" mean? I've seen that comment before and have never really understood it.

Thanks again!
Brian
http://www.studiotownsend.com/
Basically, it means there's a lack of contrast in the shot. I think the technical types would say there's not enough separation between the whites and the blacks - the shot needs a wider range of gray.

The best tool for achieving that is Curves. But the easiest way is to simply play with the Contrast slider a wee bit. Purists disapprove, because you apparently damage the pixels by using Contrast. However, you'll instantly understand what it means for the photo to 'pop'.

[lr1811]

Basically, it means there's a lack of contrast in the shot. I think the technical types would say there's not enough separation between the whites and the blacks - the shot needs a wider range of gray.

The best tool for achieving that is Curves. But the easiest way is to simply play with the Contrast slider a wee bit. Purists disapprove, because you apparently damage the pixels by using Contrast. However, you'll instantly understand what it means for the photo to 'pop'.

Thanks wxwax, I am glad someone explained that!

The color of this vehicle is like a brown/yellow mix - another reason why I went B&W. I suppose there would be more separaion of my colors if the car was white - but I was working with some very similiar colors. I 'll still play with the curves though.

Brian

[4labs]

Brian I should have explained myself better when I replied and I am glad someone was kind enough to explain it better than I could have. I am just learning myself..If you have photoshop and just slide the contrast bar slightly to the right you will see a big improvement in the shot and the car will pop a bit.

[Angelo]

one downside; when you play with contrast you might find that the white windows of the building might begin to "pop" as well.



Brian I should have explained myself better when I replied and I am glad someone was kind enough to explain it better than I could have. I am just learning myself..If you have photoshop and just slide the contrast bar slightly to the right you will see a big improvement in the shot and the car will pop a bit.

[wxwax]

one downside; when you play with contrast you might find that the white windows of the building might begin to "pop" as well.
Yes indeed. :nod The danger of playing with contrast is that your highlights can easily burn out.

[4labs]

I hope you don't mind , this was a good exercise for me as I am a novice when it comes to photoshop.

[lr1811]

I hope you don't mind , this was a good exercise for me as I am a novice when it comes to photoshop.
I like it better, so I moved the contrast to about 70 and the car really popped out well... Thanks!

Brian

[ian408]

What ever the story behind how the car came to rest there, it looks to have
been painful :D

Hope everyone was ok.

Ian

[whamilton101]

I really like this image.
I wanted to show you an example of it with the windows and sky a little darker. It brings my focus to the car a bit more.

I did this in photoshop using layers. Pretty simple task.

[lr1811]

I really like this image.
I wanted to show you an example of it with the windows and sky a little darker. It brings my focus to the car a bit more.

I did this in photoshop using layers. Pretty simple task.

I like the darker colors. For my final, I cropped a good part of the building in my 4x6 and in my 8x10 I had to do some major cropping, which I was pleased with.

Maybe some day I'll ask "what happened" to that car. Or as my 4 year old says, that "broken car."

Brian