Old School, Before and After

[Greg McCary]

I tried to replace a dull sky in this one. Making it a cloudy day. To give you an idea of what I was doing I thought I would show you a before and after shot. How did I do with the sky?
Greg

[Didache]

Hi Greg .. while it definitely looks better on a monitor, it looks as though it COULD look just blotchy on a print. Did you use another sky? If so, a fluffy cloudy one might be better. This is one of those cases where it is really difficult to tell without seeing the print.

The school itself is much better in the second one.

Cheers
Mike

[Greg McCary]

Mike, It looks a touch more blothy on the resize for the web. I used the magic wand and created a sky level and the used filter>render>clouds, and then dropped the opacity until I thought it looked right. But you are right a print will tell the story. Here's another edit. I worked on the school and the sky a little more. I will try white puffy clouds at some point.
Greg

[readingr]

Greg

I think you need to add a touch of perspective transformation to the photo as it looks as if it is leaning backwards.

I also agree the clouds need to be added from another pic as the PS clouds are not working for me.

Roger

[Xia_Ke]

Greg, this is a very cool old building. Lots of character. I agree with the above comments on the sky. One thing I would like to add is that I wouldn't have taken out the items at the top of the stairs on the left. I think they add to the overall feel. It stands out a bit in the edited version that something was taken out there. I think this would make a good black and white candidate and might be worth a revisit with the Canonet and a roll of the Ilford you ordered ;)

Aaron

[Greg McCary]

Thanks everyone. This is just up the road and a very easy reshoot. Yes Aaron the Canonent will certainly see this place at some point. It's starnge that I pass this place all of the time but only really thought about shooting it until last week. Seems like that happens a lot. I guess the way the light was hitting it I noticed it more.
Roger I see the lean when I reshoot I will fix that too.
Greg

[schrackman]

I love old school buildings like this. It's a shame that so many of them have fallen into disrepair with time and neglect. Up in Murphy's, Ca., there used to be a wonderful old school built in the 40's. They let it rot and finally demolished it. What a shame.

Keep working on this photographing this school, Greg, you'll get it right soon enough (although I like the second edit minus the fake clouds). Especially if you use that little Canonet on it.

[Greg McCary]

Thanks Ray. I need to get this one soon. Workers are in it now gutting it out. I feel sure it will come down soon. You can be sure I will carry the Canonet. I just need the right conditions.

[GB1]

I like the last posting best. It seems to me that the sky shouldn't have been the focus of your attention so much as the building. I think you addressed that in the last post. Nice find here. I wonder if moving back and getting some of the surroundings would have added to the shot too? Guess it depends what was there
GB

[Greg McCary]

I like the last posting best. It seems to me that the sky shouldn't have been the focus of your attention so much as the building. I think you addressed that in the last post. Nice find here. I wonder if moving back and getting some of the surroundings would have added to the shot too? Guess it depends what was there
GB

Thanks GB, I will certainly get back to this. It's an early morning shot for sure. But here lately in the morning there are very few clouds to be found. The picture of my wifes car in VF is just behind me when I face the building. I actually was wanting to reshoot this when I noticed the sun coming up over her car. I'll get it.....
Greg

[jkriminger]

hi Greg...you might want to try a night shot..maybe a couple of 6 volt flashlites pointing up behind the middle pillars... maybe put some of those pool color light shades over your car lights and find a different lighting angle..??

[dbutler]

What a great building! I think you did a pretty neat bit of work. It definitely helped to set the mood. At first, my Over-The-Top taste cringed at the calming of the color but my logical side admits that it works best this way. Nice job.