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These are the first 4 I have processed from my trip to Jervis Bay. No rhyme or reason why, they just caught my eye.
Would appreciate critique and comment.






Cheers

Hi Matt,
First read, I thought there were some skindip as well
Nice composition, hope you have had good times down there with Sam.

Matt

I'm going to be frank (=brutal) with these since I think you can take it and I know the excellent quality of your work.

#1 - the B & W isn't punchy enough so all you get is a black blob of trees on the left, rather than trees and shadow. Needs more PP to push the contrast more. Maybe the shot isn't worth the effort.

#2 - Great capture, but needs a bit more saturation and contrast to make it zing. The image is of your usual high quality, but the PP lets you down.

#3 - PP again I'm afraid. The CP works well, but the image as a whole is too dull. The trees and water need to be more vibrant. This has the makings of a "tourist brochure" shot, but neds a pump in saturation and contrast

#4 - Perfect - The PP is spot on as is the image. Great lines and the birds sitting along the top really MAKE the shot. One I'd love to see nice and big and framed.

1 out of 4 are great, 2 of the other 3 have strong potential waiting to be realised.

Of course read the disclaimer in my tagline and apologies if I've offended you

Edit: Looks like you made the right choice it's been drizzly and overcast in the Hunter most of the weekend.

Peter, of course you haven't offended me, I completely want honest feedback. If it's shit, tell me!! I love the fact that you've actually taken the time to go through them one by one.

I agree about the second image, I'm having some monitor problems, what I see on my PP monitor, isnt what I get! Need to fix it.

#3 is a tourist shot - yep, no denying. It's a bit predictable, and again the monitor is I thnk hindering PP.

#4 is my favourite too. I'm happy with this one.

#1. Hmm, you see, I like this, I agree that it could be punchier, and my monitor is a big fucking reason for this I think. I think it's worth saving, so I'll have another go with it.

Number 4 followed by number 2 for me. Number 2 needs just something little extra to make it really sing, I think.

2 and 4 are great. Very nice work Matt. I think 2 has enough contentwise, I really like it. Peter's comments re PP are constructive and helpful.

Matt
Re: #3 - there's nothing wrong with "tourist shot". For me it's not a pejorative term. My point was that the image lends itself to that sort of interpretation (which is where I'd be heading with it if it was my shot), but is not quite there yet.

Re: #1 - sometimes I'm too succinct WHat I meant by not worth the effort is that in order to get the shot to show the trees properly might require a significant amount off PP work (layering and the like) if the ORIGINAL lacked that detail, rather than the problem being caused by the PP. In such a case the time may be better spent on PP of other shots that were easier to do. Does that make more sense.

Matt - I like #1 and if you increase contrast the image would become darker in the dark areas (if that is possible).

You might get a result by using the highlight/shadow control and then using selective contrast control in PSCS.

Chris

Of course you're right! Increasing contrast would make it worse. Shadow/Highlight is the go.