Tom Pickering, APSA  


Edsel by Tom Pickering, APSA

July 2017 - Edsel

July 2017 - Tom Pickering, APSA

Original 1

July 2017 - Tom Pickering, APSA

Original 2

About the Image(s)

Specs: Nikon D5000, Sigma 18-200mm, F19, Bracket 1/15-1/45-1/250s, ISO 200, Tripod, Natural Light

The 2017 Hot Rod Power Tour had a stop at the local fairgrounds earlier this month, which just happens to be practically across the street from me. Entrance was free, so I spent nearly 2 hours in the blazing heat to capture some neat vehicles from the past and present. This is one.

As I typically do, I capture a 3-image bracket separated by 2 stops each (Original 1). Merged in Lightroom and basic tonality set, then on to Photoshop to separate the vehicle from the background using the pen tool. While it's a little slow going with the pen tool, I have found that it's one time through and the mask needs no tweaking afterward. I added a background of my own creation (Original 2) and pulled the shape of the original shadow into a layer which I filled with black and added a little gaussian blur. A little cleanup with the clone and patch tools completed the image. Finally, I brought the result into Exposure X2 to convert to monochrome. Suggestions?


This round’s discussion is now closed!
3 comments posted




Jim Hagan   Jim Hagan
I like this photo a lot. I don't think the Edsel ever looked so good. The only minor suggestion I have would be to darken the bottom right of the photo to darken the hot spots and also to darken the top third of the photo but just on the left side to make the hood stand out even more.   Posted: 07/14/2017 19:55:00



Allen Tucker   Allen Tucker
Another amazing mask - the wire antenna, the hood ornaments, .....!

An alternative to Jim H's suggested contrast increase would be to make this old car more ghostly by removing the dark shadows under it.   Posted: 07/16/2017 14:53:40
Tom Pickering   Tom Pickering
(Groups 0 & 53)
When I've left the shadow beneath off, I've gotten many negative comments that the vehicle is floating, while the shadow below tends to ground it.   Posted: 07/16/2017 15:01:19