Downtown Dragstrip Dreams

[starriderrick]

A 20mm capture. Something I worked in Nikon Capture NX,something that I've been working on since '99.I'm keepin' this one.

Did I overdo the sky? I'm new to this multi-layer post work.Help!
I'm here to learn, leave posi-marks on my way out Thanks
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1970 Mercury Cyclone GT 429CJ.

Specs: 7.0L 450 h.p. 580 ft./lbs. torque @ 3200 rpm. Fastest E.T. 12.97 @ 118mph. W/mufflers, 10"slicks.Sacramento Raceway...On a 90 degree day!

Rick

[MB1]

I'd say the sky is WAY overdone.

I also think you could crop quite a bit from the bottom-up to about the white parking space markings.

[drg]

Rick,

It does need to be a tighter shot to not just be a photo of the street. If you are trying to portray the Merc as being 'on the line' ready to go, I believe being square with the street and the auto would have greater effect.

The sky treatement doesn't carry over to the rest of the photo. Tone down the colors or make the whole photo follow with the exaggerated Saturation and Tones.

I'd settle for seeing more of the Car!

[Lori11]

Yep, gimmie more car. The sky almost matches the top of the building, as far as layers, you did way better than I EVER have lol.

[jkriminger]

Rick, when you layered, magic wanded etc, you forgot to get all those sky points in the trees and under. There are many different ways to to do this..poor mans is to hit shift everytime you hit an area you want to include in the mask..if you forget and erase your original mask , just hit EDIT/undo or EDIT/step baclward

[starriderrick]

3 edits ! Thanks for the feedback Edit 1 is the most accurate version.The street is off camber badly, low in this spot.
I leveled the car in shot 3 but...How can I get the architecture square?. Is there a way to level the street? Thanks again...

Rick

[Greg McCary]

Yes it looks over done. I think you should crop most of the sky out. Just above the building.

[starriderrick]

O.K. final edit... Thanks G'

Rick

[Frog]

I don't know enought to critique the photo but I'd take that camera bag off the trunk before you punch the pedal.

[GB1]

I think the upper 3/4 or even 4/5 of the photo is very nice. The DOF is good, the sky is colorful, and the vacantness of the street creates a little bit of an eerie feeling. I would however crop out some of the bottom, which to me is excessive. It also seems to have a bit of a processed look to it, not so much on the sky but the car. (Note that I haven't read the thread yet..)

G

[readingr]

I think this needs a re-take and loose the camera bag or am I missing the point?

I agree with the crop suggestions and that the initial shot was overprocessed.

I would also like to suggest tha for the retake you have someone in the driver seat with a crash helmet on.This would link up with the title.

Roger

[Greg McCary]

Have you thought about a B&W? The crop on the last one works best for me.

[Yoyo Szeto]

Hi Rick,
I like the surreal effect of the first shot but dont understand the camera bag. Thanks for sharing.
yoyo

[starriderrick]

Thank you for all the comments This was a Quick snap.Behind me is city hall... which was my evening focus.I just turned around, clicked...(hence the camera bag) I agree... somewhat overprocessed.I'm trying to cut back.hahaha.
-Greg I'll return, grab a B / W with all the great tips,suggestions.I appreciate the feedback.The car gets about 8 mpg (4:11 gears) so I don't drive it much :O)

With regards,
Rick