Bricks

[Crashcat]

Be nice just playing with some vacation pics and Photoshop. Just getting into Photography and loving it.

[Marko]

We're always nice . Welcome Crashcat!
I like this shot.
Although there are some basics that you'll want to learn, this shot has loads of potential. It has a nice pattern, a clear focal point and it suggests a story. There are many many ways to print this image.

To improve the shot you need to be aware that our eyes love to go to the bright spots in an image and if those bright spots are not the focal point, we're going to focus on them more than we should. If those bright spots were toned down by darkening them, the coloured brick stays steadfast in our focus. This is not a law or anything, but a guideline.

I'd give the shot a slight contrast boost overall and I'd burn in (darken) the bottom edge quite a bit and the rest of the edges a teeny bit. I'd also darken some of the grey bricks too....I'd want to get many different tones of grey.

The main block is quite centered here. It works imo but you could also try putting it on one of the thirds. (rule of thirds - we talk about that all the time)
Hope that helps for now and welcome again! - Marko

[Crashcat]

Thanks, really appreciate the suggestions. I was actually trying to duplicate a style I had seen in a photo in a hotel while we where away. Only been shooting for a year or so and just really just started playing with Photoshop.

BTW. Keep up the great work I have listened every one of your Podcast over the last week.

Here is the original image no touch up at all.

[edbayani11]

marko is right. we're always nice.
i prefer the original image. maybe just set the black and white points in levels and i think it will pop up a little bit.

[JAS_Photo]

I go with Ed. I think the photo is quite interesting.

[Crashcat]

Thanks everyone appreciate the comments. This might have been a bit of a strange choice on my part for the 1st pic I post for critique as I know it breaks the basic rules a little as Marko pointed out. There was just something about it I really like. Its from the one of the pathways at Ernest Hemingway's house in Key West
Here is a touched up version. Adjusted the Black and White points, slight saturation adjustment, and added a Vignette to it.

Better??????

[Marko]

For me the first image is still the strongest and all I really was suggesting was less intense bright spots and more tones in the grays. What's nice to see (from the original) is that the image is NOT blown.
Your last shot is interesting as well - but first shot is best.

If you REALLY want to see how this photo can be printed, post it in the post-processing assignment forum in April's thread here.
April 2009
This allows other members to put there spin on it...It's a great learning exercise.
Thx - Marko

[Crashcat]

I do like the first one the best myself and will for sure try your suggestions on it. When I took the picture I had an idea that I wanted to try the spot colour on it. Thought it would make a interesting shot. Now I just need to figure out how to get the vision in my head out and into the final image.

[Crashcat]

One more try. Took the first vision a little further. Maybe a little dark overall??
I do like the image much more after these tweaks. Comments.

[Marko]

This is a shot that can be printed 1,000 ways as mentioned in my first comment.

This is getting there overall for me but it's much too dark for my vision. The red brick was best in the original shot.