How do I make this better

[shootme]

I like the overall theme of the shot I've captured here (straight from the camera), simple and clean, but something is missing for me and I don't know what? Should I crop, should it be B&W or Sepia. Any counsel appreciated. S

[starriderrick]

I like the candid mood,being a street scene the comp is as good as it can be for this particular spot.In my opinion...my humble opinion...The image seems a tad flat.Maybe try some levels adjustments. I have a edited version of this that I would like to post here with your permission.
Rick

I'm here to learn

[shootme]

I like the candid mood,being a street scene the comp is as good as it can be for this particular spot.In my opinion...my humble opinion...The image seems a tad flat.Maybe try some levels adjustments. I have a edited version of this that I would like to post here with your permission.
Rick

I'm here to learn

Rick, please do; I don't know how to use post processing software very well outside of cropping, I'd be grateful if you could show me what you can do with your amended version. Thanks. S :thumbsup:

[starriderrick]

O.K. here it is. Very minor adjustments with Capture NX. I lightened the shadow areas, used control points to enhance color,contrast in 4 select areas.
You can customize your shooting menu to produce these "warmer" results. The D3 is geared to produce "Neutral" images in standard mode / straight out of the camera.

Let me know what you guys think...Improvement?

Rick

I'm here to learn

[Power_Unit]

I really want to read what he has to say, but I'm going to butt ahead of starriderrick with my 2 cents.

I think it's pretty obvious your camera darkened this image. You can see on the far left where the sun is directly hitting the cement, but it is way too dark and unrealistic. You can't make out much from begind the pillars either.

The first thing I look at in my PP is the luminisity histogram. And sure enough yours is what I'd expect to see. It has a good range, but it's too far to the left indicating it's on the dark side. Sometimes that's what we want, but not in this case.



My first adjustment is usually brightness and contrast, and I use the histogram as my guide. I want to keep as much of the original shape as possible, but I want it more centered. Following are my adjsutments, the new histogram, and the resulting image.

[shootme]

Nice thanks to both of you. Some observations, with the brightening I find there is a loss of colour, if I was to compare with that of Rick's edit; I guess this can be corrected however with a colour boost. I'll try it with my Raw copy and see how it prints. Thanks again and for the tip on the histogram. Cheers S

[Didache]

The candid is good - the man reading the paper as he goes along, oblivious to the world, makes me wonder what it is he's reading. I think though (just my view) that he is very much the subject and there is a little too much to look at, apart from him, especially at the top of the picture. Then again, I just happen to like it simple

As you don't seem to mind people posting an edit (I never mind either provided it is done for the purposes of illustration), I take the liberty of posting how I might have cropped it - I hope that's ok with you (please say if it isn't). Seems to me it emphasises your main subject better. It's a matter of opinion though and you may prefer your fuller version. I have done similar PP to that already suggested as well.

Cheers
Mike

[OldClicker]

Here's where I went with it.

What do I see? What do I like?

First I see the guy reading the paper - Like. Then my eye goes to the worn brick in front – don’t like. From there to the trash can – bad. The center overhead light with the ivy – like. The redish door (like) with the LE and little sign - indifferent. The 5 – really like; 5 what?

Anyway, here’s my rendition with a quick and dirty edit.

TF

[Frog]

I like Mike's version best.

[shootme]

Wow, nice I like them both. I didn't like the bin but thought with the darkness it wouldn't be noticeable (not). I like the crop to the feet and although I like the Ivy and light too it centers him on the page which bothers me, even though he's in the bottom third. I'd have to say Mike / TF I like them both but for different reasons, but unlike you TF would take out the 5. Thanks this has been very useful for me. S

[Cathathome]

I like Mike's crop with Rick's lighting corrections

[draymorton]

In this case, I think I like Rick's edit the best. What I might do next is work on the skin tone a little more.

You started out with a very compelling image to begin with, btw!

[LeeIs]

I think most has been already covered. I like the crop that removes that garbage can ;)

[shootme]

Thanks again everyone, I got a lot out of this. Having now slept on it, I think I'll print Mike's rendition. Cheers S