Bill Buchanan, HonPSA, FGDC
July 2025 - The Red Hat
Original
About the Image(s)
In May our camera club had the opportunity to photograph in a local fire station.
This particular composition caught my eye, but the raw unprocessed image lacked some punch. I have included my untouched raw file to show the before.
All of my RAW files are processed in DxO Pure Raw 5 and then opened as a dng file in Photoshop. Basically, I made a selection of the fireman's helmet an inverted it a selectively darkened the background and brightness of the coat, I also pushed the saturation slightly. I also added an edge vignette and a small stroke.
6 comments posted
This is right up my street, Bill. I enjoy finding details like this and giving them some extra punch. Brightening up the helmet and darkening the background has really brought the helmet to life and made it the focal point of the composition. Posted: 07/06/2025 13:04:18
Bill, it tells a story. For sure your PP made the helmet the center of attention. Very sharp. Posted: 07/08/2025 23:02:31
Bill, for me pictures of this type always evoke many stories and memories. I like the composition. In the post work I might have added either DxO Color Efex Tonal or Pro Contrast to the helmet as well. To my eye the "scars" on the helmet along with what may be heat-related bubbling of the yellow areas, the swirls in the red on the back of the helmet, and the communications equipment all add to the story. Posted: 07/11/2025 19:22:29
Hi Bill
You did a wonderful job of bringing out the helmet and making it the focal point of the image you have not over darkened the background allowing the viewer to still see the other PPE clothing .
This was a great spot and beautifully handled. Posted: 07/16/2025 19:42:00
You did a wonderful job of bringing out the helmet and making it the focal point of the image you have not over darkened the background allowing the viewer to still see the other PPE clothing .
This was a great spot and beautifully handled. Posted: 07/16/2025 19:42:00
Bill, you always find a way to tell a meaningful story. Your P.P.has the helmet as the main focal point.For me, looking at the helmet, reminds me of the news casts that have shown video of the many first responders that have saved so many lives and many that gone through physical and mental HELL doing their jobs so well. Posted: 07/18/2025 15:24:15
Your post processing really works and highlights the helmet. The hat with its scars shows the hard and tense work of fire fighters. Brightening and saturating the yellow brings life to the image. Posted: 07/26/2025 20:10:40