Not punchy enough

[al_kaholik]

This isn't popping as much as I'd like, any suggestions? I can't seem to get depth without losing the detail I want.

Sepia sets the mood I want, though it just feels a little flat.


Mask by a_t_b321, on Flickr

[brianvickers]

Re: Not punchy enough

It's a difficult one...looks good as it is, if I'd suggest anything it would be to crop tighter, even as far as to lose the top of the head of the main figure, and from the right upto the edge of the white haired figure..
That might reduce the sense of space in the image(which has a calming effect) and might make it more impacting.
I'd also try darkening the whole thing down - or try the complete opposite and lighten the shadows.

[Imageryone]

Re: Not punchy enough

Try painting over the background articles with 5% Black with airbrush, really brings out the foreground.

[tomphotofx]

Re: Not punchy enough

I had a go with this quickly before I went to bed, so here's my take on this one.

A small crop, some Dodge and Burning on separate layers, Additional contrast added to some areas, Selective Blurring and partial cloning.

All the best.

Tom

[gregles]

Re: Not punchy enough

I had a go too



Increased the detail using topaz, cropped and added a vignette. Reduced the sepia toning too.

Greg

[Phill D]

Re: Not punchy enough

Al it's quite a gruesome shot but I really liked the almost negative feel you got with the oof figures. Tom's version is very different and overall my favourite, really concentrates on the front figure nicely. Greg that extra definition in the detail you got looks really good too but I think you just went a bit too far for my liking, too many highlighted white areas and speckles for me. Overall though a great example of what variation can be got from a good image to start with. Well done guys.

[OlyPaul]

Re: Not punchy enough

Interesting image.

[al_kaholik]

Re: Not punchy enough

Thanks all, both edits are excellent. The focus in Tom's works really well and the crop I like too. Greg, its impressive how much more detail you pulled out. The definition of the mask detail was what I was looking for, so I will have another play.

What is obvious is that my laptop isn't up to the job, I had a peek later on my tablet and it is night and day, there is actually a lot of detail that I missed.

Its menacing, and the location it was shot will be revealed a little later. Needless to say its macro paradise but the lighting is difficult

[al_kaholik]

Re: Not punchy enough

Version two,

I've cropped it a bit tighter and removed most of the background. Comments - better or worse?


Figures by a_t_b321, on Flickr

[Zuiko]

Re: Not punchy enough

That's better, the tighter crop really works, as does the simplification of the background, and there is bags more detail in the mask. Can't wait to find out the location!

[tomphotofx]

Re: Not punchy enough

Thats a big improvement, now if you can tone down the very bright areas in the first figure I'd say you'd be very happy with it.

Tom

[al_kaholik]

Re: Not punchy enough

I've had a play with cloning around the blown out areas, but I'm not happy and will have another play tomorrow. I've sorted some of the others.

See if you can guess from the photos before reading the text...


Vault Door by a_t_b321, on Flickr


Ice Palace by a_t_b321, on Flickr


Tapestry by a_t_b321, on Flickr

Still not guessed it?...


No. 4 by a_t_b321, on Flickr


Cupboard by a_t_b321, on Flickr


Letter by a_t_b321, on Flickr

I was really impressed with how much detail goes into the sets, costumes and other props. I would recommend a visit to the WB Studio tour. Certainly has opened my mind to the effort involved

[OM USer]

Re: Not punchy enough

Guessed it from the shot of the vault door. Not been to the studios yet but its on the list of places to go to.

[al_kaholik]

Re: Not punchy enough

You won't regret it