Editing question for this image

[iamdlewis]

So this is the original edit plus a new edit. My question is does anyone know what I can do to make the black version branch look better or what can be done to improve it.

• ILCE-7RM4
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/9
• 1/40 sec
• ISO 100

• ILCE-7RM4
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/9
• 1/40 sec
• ISO 100

 

[Richard A]

I am only looking at this on my phone at this stage so bear that in mind. And this is just my own personal opinion.

I much prefer the one with the greyish background to be honest. But when it comes to the version with the black background I think you need to brighten the twig & try to remove the halos around it. That shouldn’t be too difficult. Unfortunately, the glaring issue for both of these is that the lower part of the twig is very soft & my eye is immediately drawn to it. There just wasn’t enough depth of field to keep it sharp enough. I think that the only way to remedy this is if you have one of the Topaz apps that can sharpen soft images but you would have to mask it to only that part or the twig or the rest would be over sharpened.

I hope that is of some help. Overall it’s quite a nice photo.

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

My opinion, so take it with a large grain of salt, but the twig extending bottom right from the feather reflects light from your gray background and looks out of place with the black background. Particularly the out of focus water droplet at the end of the twig. I would try either cutting that bit of branch off completely, or use a vignette-like effect to add shadow on top of the twig so it fades into the background.

 

[iamdlewis]

That shouldn’t be too difficult. Unfortunately, the glaring issue for both of these is that the lower part of the twig is very soft & my eye is immediately drawn to it. There just wasn’t enough depth of field to keep it sharp enough. I think that the only way to remedy this is if you have one of the Topaz apps that can sharpen soft images but you would have to mask it to only that part or the twig or the rest would be over sharpened.

That was what I was feeling the problem is. Tried a super strong sharping with Topaz but it is just too far out for Topaz to do anything with it.
Max Topaz sharpness:

• ILCE-7RM4
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/9
• 1/40 sec
• ISO 100

My opinion, so take it with a large grain of salt, but the twig extending bottom right from the feather reflects light from your gray background and looks out of place with the black background. Particularly the out of focus water droplet at the end of the twig. I would try either cutting that bit of branch off completely, or use a vignette-like effect to add shadow on top of the twig so it fades into the background.

Tried a new crop and with the most vignetting that I can get out of CaptureOne.
New Crop + Vignetting + Topaz sharpening

• ILCE-7RM4
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/9
• 1/40 sec
• ISO 100

 

[Richard A]

I think that crop with the vignette is too tight. Which Topaz were you using? Photo AI or the old Sharpen AI?

Might be an idea to upload the original RAW file & let some of us have a play with it if you're up for that sort of thing. I haven't seen that done on here before but on a couple of other forums I have been on it wasn't an uncommon practice.

Just a thought...

 

[evacguy]

So this is the original edit plus a new edit. My question is does anyone know what I can do to make the black version branch look better or what can be done to improve it.
View attachment 68986View attachment 68987

I really like both, but I prefer the black background. As everyone else has said, I don't particualarly like the bulbous end of the branch with the bright water droplet. It is out of focus and unfortunately, your eye is drawn to it. I would just use AI in Ps to remove the bottom of the branch.

 

[iamdlewis]

Photo AI or the old Sharpen AI?

Photo

I would just use AI in Ps to remove the bottom of the branch.

Well I removed it which I am not sure how natural it looks

• ILCE-7RM4
• FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/9
• 1/40 sec
• ISO 100

 

[Angus Cameron]

That was what I was feeling the problem is. Tried a super strong sharping with Topaz but it is just too far out for Topaz to do anything with it.
Max Topaz sharpness:
View attachment 68994

Tried a new crop and with the most vignetting that I can get out of CaptureOne.
New Crop + Vignetting + Topaz sharpening
View attachment 68995

If you add a radial mask layer in capture one you can use this to add as much vignetting as you wish using the exposure slider, If one mask isn't enough create a second layer, copy the mask from the 1st layer and adjust the exposure exposure slider for the second layer.

I don’t know if it will get the image to where you want it, but it’s a useful tool and way more flexible than the vignetting tool.

You could also use another layer and mask the lower part of the twig having a play with the structure and clarity sliders.

 

[evacguy]

Photo

Well I removed it which I am not sure how natural it looks
View attachment 68998

I think that is good. Did you do the same thing with the one on the black background?

 

[Richard A]

You have done a really good job of replacing the end of the twig however I think the part just above the end is still way too soft. Don't really know what else you could try.

 

[iamdlewis]

I think that is good. Did you do the same thing with the one on the black background?

Yup. Just needed to work some of the background more.

• ILCE-7RM4
• FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/9
• 1/40 sec
• ISO 100

 

[evacguy]

Yup. Just needed to work some of the background more.
View attachment 69009

I’m just viewing this on my phone at the moment, but it looks fantastic!

 

[Richard A]

I still prefer the grey background myself...

 

[evacguy]

I’m just viewing this on my phone at the moment, but it looks fantastic!

The black background looks even better on my computer! Very well done, a striking image.

 

[Loke]

Great image! Black background looks good, but i also really like the grey with vignetting