Blue Door

Posted by Twelvebit (Victoria, United States) on 8 October 2007 in Cityscape & Urban and Portfolio.

I had to jump through hoops to get what I wanted with this image. I started out in Photoshop using the Photomatix plug-in knowing, for once, exactly what I was looking for. The plug-in preview window gave me exactly the image I wanted; but for some reason I don't understand, the processed image looked nothing like the preview image --no matter how I altered the processing parameters. Reading in the file again didn't help. Restarting the program didn't help. Every time I went from preview to process I ended up with a large hot spot in the bricks to the left of the door and a large dark area under the door that looked like it had been underexposed. I ended up having to use the stand alone program and make many extra steps in Photoshop to get what I wanted.

vfxy Photoblogs | Listed on Photoblogs.org

Comments (8)

Amir from ?, Iran

You said you have Photoshop on your Christmas list! Has Christmas arrived earlier in your town? just kidding.

I had the plug-in and the result was awful, I went back to using the stand alone software.

I like the processing on this image, not too much, not too little, just right.

The vertical image makes your wonder what is next while scrolling.

Love it.

8 Oct 2007 3:29pm

@Amir: Thank you. No, I still just have Photoshop Elements, but saying "Photoshop" is shorter. I use the plug-in when I have only a single exposure. Generally, I get good results with the plug-in, and without having to create multiple files from a single exposure like I have to do if I use the stand alone Photomatix: it just operates on the single image and it actually gives me better results than when I "fake" a series of exposures with the stand alone program. I use the stand alone program when I have multiple RAW files, since it will read them directly.

Amir from ?, Iran

BTW, I explained on the makings of my today's image, you might wanna read the update.

8 Oct 2007 3:39pm

@Amir: Thanks.

KMF from dubai, United Arab Emirates

nice one

8 Oct 2007 6:09pm

@KMF: Thank you.

Bron from Canberra, Australia

The result was well worth it - I like the warm/cool contrast and the textural elements. I don't own "real" photoshop so to me you're speaking a new language Twelvebit!!

8 Oct 2007 10:03pm

@Bron: Thank you. I don't really have Photoshop either, I have Photoshop Elements, but I'm not sure everyone would understand PSE to mean Photoshop Elelements, and Photoshop is shorter. The plug-in works with both programs, though I don't think it is really 100% functional in PSE, since it won't process a RAW file --I have to convert to a TIF in Nikon NX first (if I convert in PSE it doesn't work either). On the other hand, I don't know if this is due to PSE or to Nikon, as D80 RAW files seem to be a problem for lots of software.

Rabbit from Richmond, United States

Well - that stinks, that the preview shows you what you want & then the process does not actually do it. <arms crossed> None the less all your hard work has made and excellent SHOT!

8 Oct 2007 10:40pm

@Rabbit: Thank you.

Shahab from Qazvin, Iran

Nice processing!Cool colors!Good work!

9 Oct 2007 12:15am

@Shahab: Thank you and thanks for stopping by.

Paulo Santos from Peso da Régua, Portugal

Interesting HDR work! Nice colours and textures!

9 Oct 2007 9:57am

@Paulo Santos: Thank you.

Bron from Canberra, Australia

Thanks for the explanation 12b - I have PSE No 1 too I bought 3 but didn't like how clumsy it was :( I haven't tried to take TIF or RAW though I think my camera can do it - but if I can't process it's a problem.

9 Oct 2007 8:45pm

Add your comment ...

next day →

1/125 second
F/5.6
ISO 200
18 mm