Critique Hells Bells

[Graham]

Hi all,
What a really nice day it was here in the south, lowish sun and really warm.
So, I got a few surprises today when out and about.

#1 tbh I`ve not a clue although Im sure they come from the Strawberry trees we have here if I remember right.
Really nice little bell like flower and this bunch had this faint reddish to them.
View attachment 24071

#2 A grass hopper, still loads about here.
View attachment 24072

#3 A Red admiral ? shame it was a bit damaged on the wing, Looks like it was catching some of that afternoon low sun.
View attachment 24073

#4 My fav for the day, again loads still about along with some damsels, ID, No idea. :banghead:
View attachment 24180
Thanks for looking and any C&C is welcome.

 

[BRASH]

Serious underexposure on these china, particularly 2 and 4.

 

[Graham]

Serious underexposure on these china, particularly 2 and 4.

Thanks Bash I did try to Brighten the hopper more but way past my experience with PP :banghead:
The Dragon was taken in the sun and again I did try to brighten it up.
Your welcome to have a go for me if you like

 

[Carlh]

I agree with @BRASH about the under exposure, but I also think that if they were upped on the exposure, the highlights would be blown to bits - have you tried the shadows/highlights options in PS/lightroom to bring back the detail in the darker areas graham?

 

[Graham]

I agree with @BRASH about the under exposure, but I also think that if they were upped on the exposure, the highlights would be blown to bits - have you tried the shadows/highlights options in PS/lightroom to bring back the detail in the darker areas graham?

If Lightroom would run on a bloody 32 stoopid bit machine I would have used lightroom, as it is I use GIMP2 and try what I can.
As for the Hopper yes it did blow the highlights so I left it as I thought best.
Thanks Carl.

 

[BRASH]

You can use selective dodging and burning. You don't have to up the exposure for the whole image.

 

[Graham]

You can use selective dodging and burning. You don't have to up the exposure for the whole image.

@BRASH Is the last one better now?
Thanks for the pointers to Dodge and Burn.