I chose to use images from the past for this assignment. I used a variety of tools to achieve these effects. I think it is also important to note that you should start with a goal when altering colors to give yourself some direction. I find that saying, "I want this to feel brighter and I want the colors to be warmer," is more helpful than saying, "I want to make this picture look better." Having a goal in mind helps me stay on track when manipulating images. It's helpful to start with a mini creative brief for yourself.
IMAGE 1
Goal: Make the sky pop and appear more blue and lighten up some of the greens
Tools: Levels, color balance, curves (masked to the blue channel), masked brightness/contrast
IMAGE 2
Goal: Make the image feel warmer and get the foreground to pop
Tools: Color balance (masked to the green channel), brightness/contrast, channel mixer, hue/saturation on shadows
Great work on making the color change. For me the brighter the pictures draws my eyes more. How did you just change half your pictures?
ReplyDeleteHey Rose - good question. What I used was a "Layer Mask". I don't want to confuse anyone, but a layer mask basically hides OR reveals part of a layer.
ReplyDeleteBefore I started changing anything, I made a duplicate of the image so I could keep one with it's original format. After the changes were made, I dragged the original picture on top of the manipulated and masked half of it.
Instead of masking you could select half of the photo on top and delete to reveal the image underneath. Masking does something similar without actually deleting the image, hence, it masks.
Thanks I am going to try it. :)
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with having a goal before editing your photos! I really struggled with doing to much to my photos, because I was just playing around with the settings, and I wouldn't have a specific goal, so your advice really helped!
ReplyDeleteI really like how you used the "layer mask". Its great to see the different lighting and color settings in the same photo. you clearly know what your doing. awesome job!
I appreciated your initial comments about setting a goal when editing photos. Without a clear idea of what you want to do things can go south pretty quickly. At the same time, not having a goal can leave more room for play and finding happy accidents. Both of your "after" shots certainly have a brighter, cheerier look than the originals, so mission accomplished there.
ReplyDeleteYou did an excellent job with this series of photos. Your presentation is also beyond compare.
ReplyDeleteAs Jen has pointed out, having a goal in mind is probably the best thing you can do for yourself when you are first starting out. It helps to keep you focused and it helps you to learn what makes you tick. Yes, it is good to freestyle it once in a while, but you can get lost in that. If you have the time to explore, then it is the best way to learn how tools work.
On the first one the difference is subtle, but really does improve the image immensely. The blues being saturated give's this a fantastic 'open-air' feeling, and changes the entire mood of the scene. On the second one the difference is much more drastic, but again, adds a great deal of improvement to the scene.
ReplyDelete-J
As everyone else mentioned, your view of having a goal is important. Being new to these tools, I played around with the outcomes and then refreshed so I was starting with the original again - having had that "play time" I was then able to have a vision/goal for the final results.
ReplyDeleteI particularly liked the change in the photo of the woods - and I must say - you are very good with these tools and your presentation.