Please critique the photo I took
 

Hi,

Just want to know from pros how I could improve my picture. Here are details about the pic I took:

Camera: Powershot A70
Exposure: 1/800 sec.
Lens Aperture: F/2.8
Focal length: 5mm
No tripod used.

Thanks.

http://205.188.137.185/laumel/fall2.jpg

It looks like you took the shot with the contrast and sharpening on minimum and it works very well. I downloaded it and everything I normally do to my shots detracted from the soft mood of the photo. I shoot soft also but most images want some work in Photoshop. I like the feel of the image just the way it is.

Re: Please critique the photo I took
 

Well, you leave me out because I am NOT a pro. But.... I do like to play in PS. I just wish I knew more.

I went into PS and used the sponge tool on saturate at 90% flow. I used a large brush (271) and quickly scanned the photo from top to bottom. I then used unsharp mask to 103.

http://www.servicewithasmile.com/photos/psfall2.jpg

Hi

I've played around with your shot in Photoshop.

What do you think ?

http://www.hertz-ladiges.com/steve/fall2.jpg

I've added some sharpness, saturation, removed the line on the road, cropped it a bit and copied some areas to some other places.

BTW your lens seems to be unsharp in the middle areas - have you cleaned this lately ?

man, see I wanna find something like that. So I can have my fiancee fly by in our car so it kicks up all the leaves... 8) :lol:

I've played around, too.
Here's the result:

http://files.digitalpleasure.net/fall2mod.jpg

Billcollector took a nice photo, I saturated the colors and I assume Kex did the same. After seeing Kex’s photo, I feel I over-saturated the color. All three photos could pass as OK.

Klaus and his version. WOW! :D

How did you get the sky to look clear blue?

Wow guys!!! Thanks a lot!!!

I am really impressed with the improvement. To answer Klaus's question, I don't think it was due to dirty lens. Camera is brand spanking new. And shot the picture in auto mode.

My next purchase is going to be a tripod. That would have improved the picture a bit. And finally, UniSonBBS, the road is not wide enough for car. It was just a walking trail.

I got results similar to those posted and liked your original better of that particular shot. All of the enhanced photos just look like a snapshot. The soft original has an ethereal quality that sets it off. It feels more like you are there than just looking at a picture of the place. Might not work for a print, but I think your original looks a lot better than the enhanced versions on screen.

If you don’t like the effect you might check your settings and bring your contrast, sharpening and saturation up a little in the camera. Like I said I shoot soft as it is much better for post-processing. You get your widest exposure latitude with lowered contrast and sharpening should always be done last in any post-processing.

My turn
 

I've been trying to emulate Klaus' effort, but haven't yet got there. This one is a joint effort - using PhotoshopLE, Irfanview and ACDSee.

http://www.pbase.com/image/22425015