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Post Processing Challenge July 4, 2020


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There are no rules as to how you apply your post processing to this image; but, please let us know what you have done so we can all learn.

If you would like to post a candidate image next week, please ensure it is of sufficiently high resolution for manipulation by the participants (3000px on the long side, 300dpi for example).

 

Most of all, let's have fun while we are learning or demonstrating how we use our post-processing software, imaginations and interpretations.

 

DSC_1352.thumb.jpg.b8f09558c14d77d0037ab8db1df2ca18.jpg

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A really cool photo!

1612726_0c974a4d3f7b3af02f095c1b526d0e7e-Edit-Edit.jpg.570ce2bfc8ba0e035eeb2b72ae9f6a50.jpg

I was also planning to go in with a tight crop, but then I decided I liked the hostas too much to leave then out, so I decided to move the chipmunk instead so that I could keep them in with a moderate crop.

  1. I wanted more color variation in the hostas, so I went into PS, switched to Lab mode, steepened the a & b curves in adjustment layers and added them in at 30% opacity. I also increased contrast by S-ing the L curve.
  2. I duplicated the layer and flipped it, then lassoed the flipped chipmunk and reflection, using the edge refinement brush to try to capture the fur edge. It worked OK everywhere but on the tail; neither PS nor I could distinguish the gray fur from the gray rock on the left side of the tail.
  3. So I went into the layer mask with a 30% flow, 20% opacity (or thereabouts—I should have taken notes) brush and scribbled in something fur-like on the edge and top of the tail and its reflection—the new lights and darks in the added fur are just more or less of the background showing through the mask.
  4. I cloned out the original chipmunk so that I’d be able to crop slightly to the left of where its head had been.
  5. In Lightroom, I reduced the vibrance overall, then added contrast and clarity to the leaves and their reflections and increased shadows and white point there.
  6. I cropped to the edge of the hostas, and up from the bottom so that the out-of-focus yellow-green lines (lily pads?) would be a framing edge rather than something far enough into the frame to attract attention.

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I wish the Americans among you a belated Happy 4th. Punta, congrats on another fine challenge image. Here's my first version.

 

All my steps in PSE2020 (yes, an upgrade). Initially I slightly cropped from the top, the right, and the bottom. The I adjusted the tonality using levels. Next I used the sharpening tool on everything above the water line, and the blur tool on everything below.

 

chipmunkppccolor.thumb.jpg.66c0a275cacfd5e1ea692fd80554e745.jpg

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Version 3 PSE - adjusted crop to square format, then further drastic crops from crops from all sides, tonality & sharpness done selectively. Some final touches in Analog Efex, using a wet plate preset. Adjustments make in what's called "the basics" - tonality, detail, etc.. Then added effects based on a selected light leaks filter.

 

chipmunkppcsquare.thumb.JPG.bc1737a36d88970caccba3335c8ca1fc.JPG

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