5 Minutes with Photoshop

[Hop]

I'm not a photographer, but I love taking pics. When I get on a spree, I'll take 1000 pics of my tank, of which maybe a handful are worth posting. One thing I have noticed over the years is that even some of the best photos need a little "help" from post-processing. I have seen so many great pics in the photo contests here that I would love to spend about 5 minutes with in PS

Typically I use photoshop to correct the colors as close as I can to how things are in my tank. Adjusting a perfect white balance when shooting our tanks is often very difficult. Often times just the sft-cnt-L in photoshop fixes the issue.

From there I'll take out any blurs and lines that I don't want in the photo.

Finally I open the photo in Canon digital professional and adjust a few minor things like brightness and contrast.

Basically all it takes is about five minutes to make a good picture a little better.

Here is a pic I took the other night after using the auto levels in PS:


Here you can see that I edited out the lines in the background. Since the shutter was open for quite a while on this shot, I had a few bubbles leave contrails in the background:


Finally I brought the contrast up a hair and toned things a little bit:




So this may not be the best example, but I was hoping others can share their PS tips and suggestions. I'm still a PS NEWBE!!!

Thanks!

[Loverotties]

That really looks Nice!

[aquawolf]

Feel free to "fix" any of my photos that you think need it.

[Doug1]

Very Nice Hop

[chrischris]

i got photoshop but i have no idea how to use it so i just dont any more but glad to hear the you know how to use it

[rainmkr07]

All 3 photos look the same to me. I guess my eyes suck.

[Scruffys Catch]

Originally Posted by rainmkr07

All 3 photos look the same to me. I guess my eyes suck.

It is not just me, then. I was thinking the same thing.

[Hop]

Originally Posted by rainmkr07

All 3 photos look the same to me. I guess my eyes suck.

Originally Posted by Scruffys Catch

It is not just me, then. I was thinking the same thing.

You know this is the first time I looked at the pics on a regular monitor from work. And it does appear that way I assure you on my HD monitor at home there is a HUGE difference in the pictures

[Tippmann98]

OH yea, I can see it on my HD monitor. I can see the difference. I just got a new comp and photoshop is on my list, I like to use it to make artwork out of some of my nature photography.

Very very good pic , i think it looked fine original.

[Alittlefishy]

I put them up on my 42" flat screen, and I can see the difference. All 3 look good, but side by side there are big differences. I usually PS or GIMP any photo that I post here...mainly because I just cannot get the WB on my Nikon to work like I want. I actually went out and bought a 6-pack of pringles just for the lids, then found out that they are now very clear and not frosted...lol

[skey44]

nice... now lots of pringles to eat!

[holyscoly]

hop looks great i believe most pics need some editing just like u said to bring out the real colors not to try making something look like its not supposed to like some ridiculous eday items.

[mikearoni]

nice editing job, those zoos look amazing.

[Fly Guy]

Originally Posted by Hop

, but I was hoping others can share their PS tips and suggestions. I'm still a PS NEWBE!!!

Thanks!

here is my only photoshop tip to anyone who doesnt already know how to use photoshop well.

Get Lightroom

ps- Nice pics Hop

[chiapet]

While I like Lightroom... I have moved over to Aperture. If you have a mac, give it a shot! You will not be sorry.

Originally Posted by Fly Guy

here is my only photoshop tip to anyone who doesnt already know how to use photoshop well.

Get Lightroom

ps- Nice pics Hop