Another beach photo

[Nikki2291]

This one was of the steps that took you to the beach. I will probably make the label smaller.

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n441/Nikki22912291/100_5025cb.jpg

[tirediron]

Very nice. Thoughts on this one: It could use a tad more saturation and I would suggest getting rid of the little piece of handrail that cuts across the bottom LH corner.

Another option with this image may have been to shoot right along the boardwalk, so that you were following it as it climbed the hill. Absolutely nothing wrong with your choice however.

BTW, where is that? It looks like Dartmouth, out Eastern Passage way...

[Nikki2291]

Thank-you for the advice, I didn't even notice that handrail there...lol...yes it is outside of dartmouth, lawrencetown beach actually...lol...I live in Lower Sackville. Are you from around here?

[Nikki2291]

Here is the new pic with the handrail cropped out and the saturation higher, what do you think?

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n441/Nikki22912291/100_5025cb-1.jpg

[tirediron]

Okay, I know exactly where that is now. Nope, not a Bluenoser, but I did live in Dartmouth for a few years (late 80s-early 90s) up around Penhorn Mall.

I like your second version better; now, your next challenge is to learn how to work with layers and do selective adjustments. What would really make this image pop would be to adjust the white in the clouds separately from the blue in the sky. What software are you using?

[Nikki2291]

Thats cool that you lived in Dartmouth. I am using Picasa2 and an browser editing software, picnik.com

[tirediron]

Thats cool that you lived in Dartmouth. I am using Picasa2 and an browser editing software, picnik.com

I'd suggest looking at either Photoshop Elements (Photoshop 'lite') or PaintShop Pro; they're both in the $100 - $120 range, and have all the power you will need for a long time to come. Have a look, download some trial versions and see what you think.

[Marko]

This is a nice shot. To make it better you could burn in (darken) the sky at top middle to the top right.

[kiley9806]

that 2nd shot looks much better! the tips you'll recieve on this forum will help you SO much - i have really gotten a better eye with these guys' help - that handrail on the bottom will scream out to you in a little while, when you get more in tune with your composition. :D

[Nikki2291]

Thanks guys and yes the people on this forum have helped me alot...I will download a trial version of paintshop and see what I can do with it.

[kiley9806]

i downloaded the trail of paintshop pro 9 and its great - ive never actually paid for it, and its never run out. im not sure how i lucked into that, but i'm not complaining! :fingerscr

[cdanddvdpublisher]

I'd suggest looking at either Photoshop Elements (Photoshop 'lite') or PaintShop Pro; they're both in the $100 - $120 range, and have all the power you will need for a long time to come. Have a look, download some trial versions and see what you think.

Or move up to Gimp - which is open source ie free

[tirediron]

Or move up to Gimp - which is open source ie free

Good point; I tend not to recommend Gimp as much for people new to photography because IMHO, it's somewhat less intuitave then the "standard" software packages, but it's definitely an excellent piece of software, and you can't beat the price!

[tirediron]

i downloaded the trail of paintshop pro 9 and its great - ive never actually paid for it, and its never run out. im not sure how i lucked into that, but i'm not complaining! :fingerscr

I used Ver 9 for a long time, but if you have the $$, definitely consider Ver 12 (X2). There are a few enhancements that really make it worthwhile.

[kiley9806]

mind elaberating on what enhancements it has? im not very good at post-processing, just got my feet (of clicker-finger?) wet in the past 6 months or so, and only know the few basic standards... thanks!

[tirediron]

mind elaberating on what enhancements it has? im not very good at post-processing, just got my feet (of clicker-finger?) wet in the past 6 months or so, and only know the few basic standards... thanks!

HDR Merge, selective colouration tools, are the big ones. It also has a much improved file manager (although I don't especially like it). The selection tools have also been revamped. That's all that comes to mind right now.

[Travis]

HDR Merge, selective colouration tools, are the big ones. It also has a much improved file manager (although I don't especially like it). The selection tools have also been revamped. That's all that comes to mind right now.

yes kiley.... download the trial and give it a stab.... it's a wonderful program...

[Travis]

Good point; I tend not to recommend Gimp as much for people new to photography because IMHO, it's somewhat less intuitave then the "standard" software packages, but it's definitely an excellent piece of software, and you can't beat the price!

I agree.... for entry level users gimp can be confusing... I started with Gimp and I think that's what turned me off of post processing... I could probably go back to it now and do a lot more with it.