Please edit with CS2!

[Copy_Kot]

I've been using a trial of CS2 from Adobe and I have to say that I'm very disappointed with what I'm able to accomplish. I'm hoping that maybe someone here can edit this image using CS2 just so I can see what the program is capable of... I might purchase the program if someones results are better than what I've come up with.

The image has only been converted to a JPEG and re-sized via upload to photobucket. I understand that editing an original will give different results. A million thanks in advance to anyone willing to take some time with the image, and put your screen name somewhere on the image if you like (I'm not just being lazy).

[mjs1973]

What is it that you're trying to accomplish with this image via post processing?

[Copy_Kot]

Michael, this is usually what I come up with using the software that came with my Canon.



(I used the same amount of a saturation increase that I normally use on other images, it looks way overdone on this one)

It doesn't look too much different than what I end up with using the CS2 trial. I'm just trying to figure out if a program like CS2 is right for me, I don't want to spend $600 on something when I end up with the same results using software I already have.

If someone can make the unedited image look better than I did, and I just need to learn how to use CS2 properly... I will purchase the program.

[Medley]

Without specific instructions, I gave it a general touchup:remove color cast,punch color up (I hesitate to use the word saturate because it's done in LAB color), and a light sharpen.



If there's something more specific you want, or things you don't like, let me know.

-Joe U.

[SpeedingSphere]

heres my revision..

I did auto levels, then curves on the highlight end of the photo, adjusted exposure, USM'd, and cropped.

Hope that looks better and helps you to find interest in CS2. It really is a wonderful program, more so if you shoot in RAW. I will never use anything different.

[mjs1973]

Here's my take on this image. I used a curves adjustment layer and added a slight "S" curve to the image. I also added a small amount of exposure (Image> Adjustments>Exposure) The only thing I did to the exposure was change the Gamma from 1.00 to something like .94. I applied the smart sharpen filter to the entire image using the settings: Amount - 57, and Radius - 1.00. The Remove box was set to Lens Blur. I also dodged the bird a bit to lighten it up. Then I applied another round or smart sharpen using the same settings, but this time, I only sharpened the bird, not the enitre image. I did this by creating a duplicate layer, with a layer mask. Then I adjusted the opacity of that layer to get a more subtle affect. The final thing that I did was to add a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer. I desaturated the entire photo about -13. Then I went back and masked off the bird, so the desaturation affected everything but the bird.

[Copy_Kot]

Thank you Medley, SpeedingSphere, and mjs1973. Getting the bird to stand out a little without doing the same to the berries is what I was interested in doing... something I can't do with my software. It looks like my wallet will be $600 lighter The amount of plug-ins available for CS2 is something that I've been interested in also.

[mjs1973]

What software are you using? If you can create masked layers in it, you should be able to get the results you're looking for.

If you're set on purchasing CS2, I'm sure you won't be dissapointed with it. I would recomend picking up Scott Kelby's book The Photoshop CS2 book for Digital Photographers.

If you know any college students, you should see if they can order CS2 for you. I purchased the entire CS2 Delux package (includs PS, Ilustrator, InDesign, GoLive & Acrobat 7.0 Pro.) for $200.

[Medley]

Getting the bird to stand out a little without doing the same to the berries is what I was interested in doing...

Something like this then?


There is a plethora or two of plug-ins out there, ranging anywhere from free to hundreds of dollars. Some are very helpful. Most are just so so.

-Joe U.

[almo]

Thought I'd take a stab...

Levels, upped the saturation slightly.

[Copy_Kot]

Thanks again Michael, I just ordered the book from Amazon.

Thank you again Medley, and thanks Almo. I'm glad I started this thread, I was going to give up on CS2 now I know I just need to spend some time learning the program.