Luminous Landscape Forum
The Art of Photography => User Critiques => Topic started by: Slobodan Blagojevic on January 12, 2018, 01:06:06 pm
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A view from the port, mid-December:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4697/38742059185_cfe5ff1e1f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/222vbrF)
Miami, Early Winter Morning (https://flic.kr/p/222vbrF) by Slobodan Blagojevic (https://www.flickr.com/photos/slobodan_blagojevic/), on Flickr
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A splendid shot, Slobodan! Bravo.
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Ah, yes, finally a recognisable Slobodan-image again. Excessive noise though, even at this size...
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... Excessive noise though, even at this size...
I envy your eyesight ;)
The shot was taken at 200mm, 1/80s, f/4.0, handheld from a ship, at 6400 ISO, so couldn't do much about it. I tried some noise-reduction software (outside LR) but came to the conclusion that I prefer the original noise, which looks like fine grains of salt, than the smudged one that looks like a can of worms (at close inspection) that a stand-alone noise-reduction software typically delivers.
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Urban landscape! Very nice, no noise, bad eyesight! Still, I like.
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Great shot of a weird city. My only nit is that the green highway signs at the bottom of the frame are too bright relative to the overall scene.
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I envy your eyesight ;)
The shot was taken at 200mm, 1/80s, f/4.0, handheld from a ship, at 6400 ISO, so couldn't do much about it. I tried some noise-reduction software (outside LR) but came to the conclusion that I prefer the original noise, which looks like fine grains of salt, than the smudged one that looks like a can of worms (at close inspection) that a stand-alone noise-reduction software typically delivers.
Slobodan, You might want to try DxO's PhotoLab Elite. Its noise reduction is in a class by itself in comparison with the other stuff I've tried over the years. There are two versions of noise reduction in PL. One is called "HQ (fast)," and the other is called PRIME. If you select PRIME, you then must export the picture to disk, during which action the noise reduction works. The export and noise reduction takes quite a while, but it's the best I've seen.
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The noise in the sky doesn't bother me. However, if you decide to make a big print...
I've had to come up with some unique recipes for dealing with nighttime scenes shot with my Olympus 43 cameras. I've tried Topaz Denoise 5, and I think the results I get in PS are far better. And, I've found that there is a fine line between too much noise reduction and not enough.
For example, to mitigate the noise in the sky, I'd flatten the file so it's only one layer. Then duplicate it and convert it to a "smart layer," Add gaussian blur to the bottom layer--not much, maybe a pixel or two or three. Then add noise (color gaussian) 1% to 2% usually works. And finally, apply .5-1.0 gaussian blur.
Now go back to the top layer, create a mask, select the sky fill black (or any neutral shade) and see how it looks.
I like leaving the bottom layer a "smart layer" so that it can be re-edited to accommodate a range of print sizes or web resolution.
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However, if you decide to make a big print...
How the times have changed.
For me, for many years, a "regular" size print was 8x10", and a "big print" was 11x14" (but I did make one 16x20" print once, even without trays big enough).
Now, for me, a "big print" is 13x19" and a "huge print" is 17x22" (of which I've only made about a half dozen).
:-\
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How the times have changed.
For me, for many years, a "regular" size print was 8x10", and a "big print" was 11x14" (but I did make one 16x20" print once, even without trays big enough).
Now, for me, a "big print" is 13x19" and a "huge print" is 17x22" (of which I've only made about a half dozen).
:-\
16 X 20 Agfa Brovira: Fond memories.
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16 X 20 Agfa Brovira: Fond memories.
Agfa Brovira was my main paper for a number of years. Here's my Brovira memory:
The only wedding I ever photographed was for a friend while we were both in college. I was using a strobe that took forever to recharge after each shot, and, being impatient (and ignorant) I didn't wait long enough, so most of the negs were grossly underexposed. That was the one time I really needed Agfa Brovira #6 to get a few barely usable prints.
My friend was very forgiving. He is still a good friend, although long since devorced.
:'(
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Nice shot, I didn't notice the noise because of the dust on my laptop screen, long story…
The tallest building, is that the Southeast Financial Center? I have no idea about the Miami skyline since Miami Vice was on TV. It looks a little bit "wonky" but images of the building online give a whole heap of options to what the building looks like. Is it one of those things where the architects were messing with our minds?
Cheers,
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... is that the Southeast Financial Center? ... It looks a little bit "wonky" but images of the building online give a whole heap of options to what the building looks like. Is it one of those things where the architects were messing with our minds?
This explains why it looks "wonky" from the angle I took it:
(https://ssl.c.photoshelter.com/img-get2/I00003.I36uqEUMg/fit=1000x750/pmor-100119-267-PS.jpg)
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Thanks for the quick reply. Damn you architects for spoiling the straight lines of a city skyline. :)
Cheers,
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I envy your eyesight ;)
The shot was taken at 200mm, 1/80s, f/4.0, handheld from a ship, at 6400 ISO, so couldn't do much about it. I tried some noise-reduction software (outside LR) but came to the conclusion that I prefer the original noise, which looks like fine grains of salt, than the smudged one that looks like a can of worms (at close inspection) that a stand-alone noise-reduction software typically delivers.
The noise reduction should apply only on the blue sky (which is where the noise is most visible). A mask made through colour selection will take care of that.
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The noise reduction should apply only on the blue sky (which is where the noise is most visible). A mask made through colour selection will take care of that.
Creating such a mask is quite a challenge, however. It would have to be a very precise mask, as the sky touches a lot of intricate details on rooftops and sides, not visible at 800px.
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Hey Slobodan
I was bragging about you the other day. A lawyer from Chicago came into the gallery the other day and I told him about your beautiful cityscapes...
I hope you are well?
William
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Hey Slobodan
I was bragging about you the other day. A lawyer from Chicago came into the gallery the other day and I told him about your beautiful cityscapes...
I hope you are well?
William
Hey, William, thanks for thinking of me. You were instrumental in my first mega-sale, so perhaps that lawyer needs some Chicago-themed prints for his office ;). Otherwise, things are o.k., thanks.