Which one to use...? (Post processing)

[AMDDDA]

Well, here's a photo of the MiG-17 Fresco...

The first one is the original, the second one is one with levels, contrast, tone, and colour done (colour was done automatically), and the third one is with levels corrected and Highlights/Shadows corrected.

I'm in a bit of a standstill on how to properly do the postprocessing, as in what steps to take... I looked on a.net and there are NO shots of this plane with it's afterburner on... not to mention only 2 or three with the afterburner visible for any MiG-17...

Original:



Non highlights/shadows:



Highlights/Shadows:

[Sean_TK]

COOOOL!!!!  :)

[SteveH]

Are you planning on uploading that to A.net? I wouldn't reccomend it if you are. The quality isn't up to their standard and you can see on the nose that the image is blurred.

The capture is nice though, I like the action feel to it. Avoid using Highlights/Shadows altogether, it's a tool which make your shots look terribly false.  For me, the second is the best, nicely enhanced contast and brightness without looking fake.

[AMDDDA]

[quote]Are you planning on uploading that to A.net? I wouldn't reccomend it if you are. The quality isn't up to their standard and you can see on the nose that the image is blurred.

The capture is nice though, I like the action feel to it. Avoid using Highlights/Shadows altogether, it's a tool which make your shots look terribly false.

[SteveH]

[quote][quote]Are you planning on uploading that to A.net? I wouldn't reccomend it if you are. The quality isn't up to their standard and you can see on the nose that the image is blurred.

The capture is nice though, I like the action feel to it. Avoid using Highlights/Shadows altogether, it's a tool which make your shots look terribly false.

[Keep It Simple]

Actually, I like the original the best.
Why?, Because

[BigTruck]

Wow that first shot is superb!  The third would be my second topper, but it looks a little too "sharpened" in the background, but the detail on the mig is nice in that shot.  The first shot all around looks nice and natural.

[Rifleman]

Using photoshop, you can selectively change only the parts of the image that you want....you don't need to change everything in the same way....take a look........

[SteveH]

What have you done to the 'burner Rifleman? It looks too have gone awfully purple...

[Rifleman]

....made it jump out and be noticed.....only for the demonstration that you don't need to affect the entire image to change specific parts...

[SteveH]

....made it jump out and be noticed.....only for the demonstration that you don't need to affect the entire image to change specific parts...

Fair enough.

[Mictheslik]

I'd echoe Steve's warnings on shadow Highlight.....it can be used to good effect if used correctly and sparingly...but always check for contrast and halo issues if you do use it...(doing a quick equalize shows up halos nicely...)

If you do consider uploading to any aviation site, make sure it's pin sharp and you haven't edited it too much (i.e, no more than levelling, cropping, curve and sharpening....)

A.net are very very picky about shots they let on, I'd try somewhere smaller first...get the standard up before trying A....my favourite is photos.aero...a really nice community as well

.mic