Photo Discussion
Category: Where Was This Made?

To discuss a photo, sign up as a BetterPhoto member or log in.

Red, White, and Blue Building


	Red, White, and Blue Building Cleveland, Ohio Elaine Hessler
	Fireworks I Elaine Hessler
	Fireworks II Elaine Hessler
	Fireworks III Elaine Hessler

Elaine Hessler

Hi-I am not sure what to do with this photo. I like the building and the fireworks on the horizon, but do NOT like the parking lot. Any suggestions?

P.S. I've also uploaded 3 fireworks pics for fun. Someone asked about settings. I used ISO 100, f/8, and anywhere from 2-3 seconds using a tripod (manual focus). Check your focus often...

To love this question, log in above
July 06, 2012

Dale Hardin

Very,very nice fireworks shots Elaine. On the image in question, I don't see a major issue with the parking lot, but if you do then the easiest way is a crop. I know your images are over 5000 pixels so you should have no problem.

I'd first use a bit of lens correction at the bottom (not a big issue though) and then apply a 3x5 horizontal format crop starting at the top left just to the right of that bright area next to the blue bridge. Have the bottom of the crop at the upper left corner of the blue canopy located above the parking lot.

This will leave just a bit of the parking lot visible. Clone out all the cars except the two that are by themselves. Don't bother with those that are close to the hotel.

And finally, selectivly apply a multiply blend to the parking lot only, but not the lights. This crop will leave your composition in tack and draw the eye more to the horizon fireworks. Love the straight horizon by the way. :o)

To love this comment, log in above
July 06, 2012

Stephen Shoff

What a great concept for the photograph, Elaine. I really like the horizon lined with fireworks displays. I think Dale's more panoramic 3x5 crop will help strengthen that concept. I'm not quite so sure you want to lose all of the bright portion of the bridge on the left -- seems to me that it is useful for identifying the bridge as an separate element behind the hotel.

I would add a suggestion that besides the level horizon, you also could straighten the verticals on the left. Before cropping, I would use the skew tools to straighten vertical lines of te hotwl on the left side. That allows your new crop to start in the upper left corner but would still reduce the size of the bridge and keep some contextual information.

That leaves you with two bright lines leading out of the picture -- the bridge on the left and the elevated highway in the upper right. You might need some narrow and/or additinal multiply blend to help reduce those ines just before they reach the border of the frame.

To love this comment, log in above
July 06, 2012

- Michael Kelly

BetterPhoto Member

Contact Michael Kelly
Michael Kelly's Gallery

Great shots and good suggestions. I don't normally use filters or plug in software but if you wanted to keep the whole shot a flood filter might work well to make the parking lot into a lake. Here is a link to Flaming Pear:

http://www.flamingpear.com/flood.html

if you wanted to take a look at a demo and see if it would do something you like.

To love this comment, log in above
July 06, 2012

simplydivinephotography.com - Susan M. Reynolds

BetterPhoto Member

Contact Susan M. Reynolds
Susan M. Reynolds's Gallery

Cool concept for the building and I leave the editing suggestions to the experts! I'd love to see what that Flaming Pear would look like...now that Mike mentioned it, I remember a long while ago someone giving a link to it, but I never tried it...I'd like to see what it looks like on this photo and see if there's one I have that I can try it on too. it sounds like a really good idea...