Bob Wills
September 2024 - Tinkerbell
Original
Original 2
About the Image(s)
Title: Tinkerbell
I was attending an antique hot rod show and captured this 2014 Dodge Viper. I decided to put in a better environment but included the owners sign. I used a showroom floor and following Chan's advice let PS do the subject masking. Just took four layers, one background from my collection of backgrounds and skies, but I'll add more after your suggestions. I used LRCC, then PSCC, and finally Topaz to finish the composite.
Original shot with Nikon Z8, handheld, 24-70mm zoom at 35mm,1/2800 sec@f4, ISO 1800, Manual mode, Pattern metering mode. Used a CPL filter.
Since I shot sitting in my walker I get pretty good support and the stabilized Z8 really helps.
My questions for you is
it sharp enough?
Does the midday light make the car too bright?
Anything else you see would help. I am happy to be in your group, and know I will learn much from you all.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
11 comments posted
Welcome to Group 18 BOb with a striking image.
Yes, plenty sharp enough and I have no problem with the colour of the car. It is pity that detail is lost in the grill ahd the left side of the car (as we are looking at it). Would it be possible to recover this in Camera Raw? Another niggle is the shadow on the backgound - perhaps that is someone peering in the boot (trunk I think you callit over there) Posted: 09/06/2024 16:15:46
Yes, plenty sharp enough and I have no problem with the colour of the car. It is pity that detail is lost in the grill ahd the left side of the car (as we are looking at it). Would it be possible to recover this in Camera Raw? Another niggle is the shadow on the backgound - perhaps that is someone peering in the boot (trunk I think you callit over there) Posted: 09/06/2024 16:15:46
Thank you, Ian. I could recover details but chose not to at this time. I want the lime color to pop. I have tried to fix some of the errors you pointed out and removed some distracting noise. Posted: 09/07/2024 19:12:59
(Group 87)
Bob, we share at least one thing beside passion for photography. My legs no longer allow me to walk without a cane and I must be either seated or firmly braced against some stationary object to operate a camera.
While I enjoy this image, I do find the sign in front of the car to be distracting. I know you had no opportunity to remove the sign and then press the shutter button, and I don't know how successful you would have been in removing it in post, but it does detract from what I think your vision for this image is.
That being said, you have done a very good job at creating a composite image. Now that you have demonstrated your grasp of the process, the sky's the limit. I look forward to seeing even more challenging composites in the near future. Posted: 09/08/2024 18:05:39
While I enjoy this image, I do find the sign in front of the car to be distracting. I know you had no opportunity to remove the sign and then press the shutter button, and I don't know how successful you would have been in removing it in post, but it does detract from what I think your vision for this image is.
That being said, you have done a very good job at creating a composite image. Now that you have demonstrated your grasp of the process, the sky's the limit. I look forward to seeing even more challenging composites in the near future. Posted: 09/08/2024 18:05:39
Thank you, Chan. I didn't even consider trying to remove the sign, as this was a sponsored car show, but I see what you mean. Posted: 09/08/2024 18:16:41
I like how you simplified the background - which makes the car POP. A bit of a dark area at the top is a bit distracting. I think it is sufficiently sharp, and the light is also fine. The way I understand the definition of Altered Reality, I don't think there is sufficient alteration going on here - just my take. Posted: 09/16/2024 03:35:44
Thank you, Gunter. I'll work more on the background as you suggest, and as for what you and Chan have pointed out, I need to add more creative work going forward. Posted: 09/16/2024 13:07:43
Before I dropped out of DD, Barbara Miller had sent us a message that only using filters wasn't "creative" enough, so I am still working out the meaning of altered reality. "A camera or other light gathering device could never solely capture such images as they appear in the altered image" helps, but I could use your suggestions in your comments about what you might have done. If I remove the sign and figure in this image, I assume I will need to use an AI tool to repair the missing areas of the car. Does the group care if AI tools (generative fill) are used? Does PSA? My club won't allow it. Posted: 09/16/2024 13:17:28
I think it's unfortunate that our groups category is "Creative" - PSA defines Creative as "Altered Reality" - which I think explains it a bit more. I'm going to try to attach their definition for AR.
As I understand it, PSA does allow us to use tools that have Ai components - i.e. Topaz Ai Sharpening. What PSA does not allow, nor do most camera clubs is "Generative Ai" that creates pixels/pictures not from your camera. An example is - "Add a bridge to this picture that has 3 spans" - and that is what gets added to your image. The bridge was not created by you, in your camera. The origin of the bridge was from millions of bridge pictures that Ai has captured, manipulated, and presented to your image.
Here is one of my car based AR pictures - just as a reference.
Posted: 09/16/2024 23:57:12
As I understand it, PSA does allow us to use tools that have Ai components - i.e. Topaz Ai Sharpening. What PSA does not allow, nor do most camera clubs is "Generative Ai" that creates pixels/pictures not from your camera. An example is - "Add a bridge to this picture that has 3 spans" - and that is what gets added to your image. The bridge was not created by you, in your camera. The origin of the bridge was from millions of bridge pictures that Ai has captured, manipulated, and presented to your image.
Here is one of my car based AR pictures - just as a reference.
Posted: 09/16/2024 23:57:12
Thanks, Gunter. The image didn't load, but I understand, I hope. I'll need to expand my background, textures, and skies folders. Posted: 09/17/2024 13:59:21
Sorry, forgot to attach my idea of an AR image with cars as the subject. The category is so broad - from a little alteration to lots of alteration - it's easy to get caught up in trying to define it - so my suggestion is to keep the PSA definition in mind, but make sure you have fun in playing with this category, and show us the altered image that you like. Posted: 09/17/2024 15:40:50
Good advice, Hunter. Thanks for the image. Posted: 09/17/2024 15:45:25