Editing or Enhancing?

[killerbunny]

These are some photoshop tricks to make your shot look better  

I often apply these to my pics I post in the freeware section.  Not for the competition 'cause I don't know if this is considered editing or not. Personally I think this is only a little enhancing, but I'd like to hear other peoples opinions about this.

First : the pic before enhancing.  A quick setup of a Super Etendard above Brussels National.


Second : apply an unsharp mask (in the sharpen section of the photoshop filters).  Just fiddle a bit with the sliders untill you think the result is right.  This makes the lighter parts of the pic brighter and therefore the pic looks sharper.


Third : add just a little contrast to the pic (not too much!).  This will make the colors more vivid.


Its very important not to overdo these effects.  Just make it look as realistic as possible. (actually, I think I already overdid the "contrast" effect )

[MOUSY]

Nice tips KB. And I guess these steps can be considered both; as I wont put them in the Edited Screenshots forum as there's not much of a difference. They definitely make them look more realistic if u do them rite. But they cannot be used for competitions since it is in fact editing.

P.S.: I think the contrast was rite but the sharpening was overdone for this one.

[Clipper]

Great tutorial KB. I'm sure it'll come in handy for those of us that use photoshop and want to improve edited pics.  :)

[Mictheslik]

I prefer the original pic...oh well

.Mic

[krigl]

Interesting post  :) I never enhance any of my pics, just crop them to 800x600 or whatever. I try to get the light right while taking the shot.

I think it is a good idea in principle, though some people might find enhancement 'cheating' in some way...  I'd be worried that somehow my little dabble in photoshop would be discovered and then my thread would be moved to 'edited' and half of the V would call me a cheater  ::)  :D