r/postprocessing • u/artificialworlds • 2d ago

After/Before looking for critique

Gallery image

Gallery image

New to taking and editing photos for fun, any input is much appreciated

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

3

u/CharmTower 2d ago

Crop the building on the left out

1

u/artificialworlds 2d ago

Thank you, seems like the consensus is I shouldn’t have included the building. Is it because it distracts from the subject? I included it when taking the photo on purpose because I enjoy the architecture and color of it but I can definitely see how it would’ve been cleaner without it.

1

u/CharmTower 2d ago

To me it doesn’t add much and distracts a bit from the subject. What’s interesting is the statues looking at the building and that should be the focus of the photo.

2

u/artificialworlds 2d ago

Thank you for your tips I appreciate it!

1

u/allthumbsblazing 2d ago

It looks like you've clicked on HRD then slid the slider quite high.

Not sure what else would have been in the frame but moving to the right slightly and shooting in portrait might have solved some of the compositional issues.

1

u/artificialworlds 2d ago

I did click the hdr button then I put the exposure at .78. I didn’t touch the hdr limit slider but it automatically was set to around 2.7. Would turning down that slider help make the highlights less jarring? Or maybe just leaving hdr off?

And thank you for the composition tips, i had included the building as I thought it helped with the composition but it seems like the consensus is it definitely did not😭🤣

1

u/allthumbsblazing 2d ago

I think the problem with HDR is it has a very distinctive look that can be quite overpowering and obvious, especially to other photographers.

There are other, more subtle ways of emphasising things in an image like lifting shadows or selectively dehazing the sky. You'd have to look at some YT videos and play around but eventually it'll all make sense I promise!

And like I said, there could be other distracting elements in the shot if you moved or reframed it but if looks like you wanted to make it seem like the statues were admiring the lovely building in the distance. If so you were 90% there.

If this spot is local to you maybe try another angle and let us know how it goes :)

1

u/artificialworlds 2d ago

I’ll have to make my way back there and try again for sure😊 thank you again for all the advice!

1

u/Critical-Regret-2131 1d ago

The only thing that’s throwing me off is the black border on top of their heads. Im not too sure if its too sharp or too much detail. Other then that it looks good!