This is another image from our trip to Seville in April 2016. There were a number of people sitting in the open upstairs windows of a tall building, either talking to each other or, in this case writing. I liked the boy’s concentration and the fact that he was using pen and paper rather than a mobile phone.
As you will see from the original, the window is much higher than in the final image and, after using the Transform tool to straighten it up, the major part of post-production was to lower the top of the window to make it square. This, I felt, made for a much more pleasing image. The transformation was done by selection an area at the top of the window, copying it into a new later and using the Photoshop Move tool to drag it down to where I wanted it. The clone and Healing Brush tools were used to tie it all up and to disguise the join. Further work consisted of Viveza, Darken /Lighten Centre and Levels to adjust the lighting and Paper Toner to convert the image to monochrome. Finally, the boy was sharpened selectively using the High Pass Filter.
Nikon D810, 50 mm Sigma Art prime lens, ISO 100, f/1.4, 1/2500 sec
This round’s discussion is now closed! 11 comments posted
Oliver Morton
David, I'm blown away by your photographs; not just this one but also the images at your web site (www.davidfcookephotography.co.uk). Your work consistently demonstrates the ability to "find the picture within the picture" and then to use post processing to turn it into an amazing work of art. Although I'm new to PSA and this group I've already learned a great amount... much of it from your work. Thank you!
I can't offer any suggestions to enhance this photograph beyond its current state. Nicely Done!
Posted: 06/08/2017 14:22:38
Thank you so much for your very kind comments, Oliver. I’m delighted that you like my work and have visited the website but I’m more delighted that you feel you have learned a great deal. As the vast amount of my professional life was as a University senior lecturer, I’m sure you’ll understand the pleasure that gives me. Posted: 06/11/2017 13:36:57
Oliver Morton
Any kind words are richly deserved.
Like you I've done extensive teaching, both at a University and later to adults. The topics have ranged from physics to computer programming to Photoshop. I teaching is extremely rewarding and fulfilling. However, I find it equally exciting to continue learning.... something I hope to never stop doing.
I'm delighted that you're so willing to share your thoughts and skills. I have many questions but they are probably too detailed for this forum. Posted: 06/11/2017 22:15:53
Thanks, Oliver. I’m more than happy to answer any detailed questions you have. If you think it they are too detailed for the forum, please email me at davidfcooke@btinternet.comPosted: 06/12/2017 05:17:51
Barbara E Miller
David how you come up with these marvellous PJ images each month baffles me! One thing I notice is you have obviously taken this from a distance and I doubt that you used a tripod, so...hand held at ISO 100, and his shirt is so sharp! This works so well as a monochrome. So well done David, I can only stand in awe. Posted: 06/13/2017 10:50:47
Thanks very much indeed, Barbara, for your very kind comments. Yes, the shot was hand-held as all my images are. The sharpness of it, despite the small section of the original image which I have used, is down to the camera, the excellent Sigma Art Lens and the settings. As you know, I use auto ISO so my camera acts as a ‘point and shoot’. I used a wide aperture (f/1.4) and, because the sun was so bright, the image was taken at 1/2500 of a second and there's no possibility of camera shake. Posted: 06/14/2017 05:47:40
David, as usual, you have made a very nice photograph. Re.the tight cropping; you must start with a very large pixel image. I am not familiar with the Nikon D810. What are its pixel dimensions? I like the selective sharpening that you used on the boy. Posted: 06/25/2017 11:10:58
Thanks Nick, The D810 is a full frame camera and has 36.3 million effective pixels (37.09 million total pixels) Posted: 06/26/2017 04:20:21
Richard Siersma
David, you are a true artist! I have visited your website and I'm in awe of accomplishments. You have captured a story in scenes that most photographers wouldn't even see. This month's submission is no different, most photographers wouldn't have taken the shot. It would be an experience to follow your work flow from the field to the computer. Posted: 06/28/2017 07:31:40
Thank you so much, Richard. I appreciate your very kind remarks greatly. I have made some pdf files of the layer by layer development of some of my images and I plan to make some voice over screen videos of them to put on my website. Your remarks have encouraged me to do that sooner rather than later. I'll let the group know as they become available. Posted: 06/28/2017 09:35:25
Barbara E Miller
Rick, you have put your finger on it so well. If you go back through the months, before you joined us, and look at David's work, you will see that most of the images are as you describe--'a story in scenes that most photographers wouldn't even see' Posted: 06/29/2017 09:33:03
