Kitesurfer

[Freester]

Ok. I know this isn't a great photo. The reason for posting it is I *think* I know what's not good about it and want to check with you experts to see if you agree and if I've missed anything. So (deep breath), here it is:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2250/2096529592_e1a808b985_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/freester/2096529592/)

What I think is wrong...

1) Noise
2) Didn't get the full kite

It's noisy I because to get this picture I cropped to zoom, straightened (which softened), upped the shadows / fill light / and saturation, and then finally sharpened - all using Picasa.

But I like it because I got the surfer at just the right moment, and it tells a story about the cold isolation of this sport...

What do you think - please be honest.

[BRASH]

Good capture spoiled by the noise due to the reasons you state. Keep at it tho:thumbs:

A run through Noiseware will help.

[Freester]

Good capture spoiled by the noise due to the reasons you state.

Thanks for taking the time to reply...

The day I took these photos I turned up and took a lot of shots with the camera in P (AE?) mode. Set the ISO to 400 and forgot to pay any attention to the Aperture / Shutter settings that were getting automatically set as I was clicking away. When I got home and started looking at the shots and the EXIF data I realised if I had been paying attention I might have got away with a lower ISO and associated slightly longer shutter speed / slightly bigger aperture. Would the lower ISO have made any difference to noise post processing though?

[BRASH]

Yeh, lowered ISO reduces noise but it's usually not too bad at 400. The light conditions don't help, ie misty etc. Also a heavy crop'll up the noise and reduce the overall quality.

Cheers!!

[mobilevirgin]

What I think is right...

1) Noise
2) Didn't get the full kite



See what I did there? :wave:

You're missing the point of a great pic.

The noise shows how awful the weather was when you took the shot.

The fact that you didn't get all of the kite in shows how high above the surfer he has gone with the kite.

Sometimes the best pics are the ones that don't show it all. Leave something to the imagination.

I think that's fantastic and I wouldn't change any of it.

:clap::clap:

[Freester]

I think that's fantastic and I wouldn't change any of it.


Gosh, thanks!

[BigBaldBob]

I think the noise adds to it.
If it were shot on film everyone would be saying "great choice of film" and congratulating you on the use of grain to enhance the atmosphere of it.
The cropped kite is a shame, but it doesn't ruin it by any means.
Its looks like its slightly over saturated to me,Id be tempted to convert to mono and enhance that horrible cold,wet and windy day feel.
BBB

[russbates]

I really like the shot, fully agree with the others. The noise and grain really add to the atmosphere. It probably would look pretty fine in mono.
Im a kitesurfer myself, really think you have captured the mood well.

[Mikharper]

See what I did there? :wave:

You're missing the point of a great pic.

The noise shows how awful the weather was when you took the shot.

The fact that you didn't get all of the kite in shows how high above the surfer he has gone with the kite.

Sometimes the best pics are the ones that don't show it all. Leave something to the imagination.

I think that's fantastic and I wouldn't change any of it.

:clap::clap:

Well darn that's what I hit reply to say but its all been said. This is unintentionally good, you've learnt for next time and there are ways to get around some of the things you stated as annoying (noise etc, although I dont think straightening should have softened the photo)

I like that its all gritty and the harshness can be seen, and especially the kite being so far up adds to it.

[dazzajl]

Not sure if I agree with liking the chopped kite but I probably do as I like the shot as a whole.

I've often looked at these kitesurfers and thought if ever something was invented to be bugger to photograph, this is it. I think you've done a grand job there. Not even tried it at all yet myself.

[Liam]

I think the noise adds to the image.
Great picture!

[Freester]

...although I dont think straightening should have softened the photo

i have found that using the Picasa straightening tool takes a little of the sharpness off a pic. Maybe I should be using something else. I don't have PSP or Photoshop.

I have been playing with the GIMP a bit but not really getting into it too well.

Thanks for everyone who took the time to comment.

[Plugus Maximus]

The fact the image is noisy doesn't bother me too much. It adds to the cold raw feel of the weather. It was a good effort to nearly get the kite in shot too! Snapping kiters is very hard indeed, mainly because the kite and the surfer/buggier/boarder can appear to move independantly of each other and you need to mentally focus on two things at once. The fact you 'nearly' got it all in one shot is impressive.

[Charlie C]

I really like it, its sums up what i enjoy about this amazing sport. (i do kitesurf btw, so i'm probably bias)

Just a shame u didn't get the whole kite.