yes camera came with arc soft,it can do some tricks but...

My cam came with PhotoBase and PhotoImpression by ArcSoft. That's what I use. It's simple and at least PhotoImpression has some advanced features, though not on Photoshop level.

I don't know how much resolution your camera has, but I would do a tight crop of just the cat and the blanket on his head. The rest of the stuff in the shot isn't needed.

Looking for some additional feedback from people regarding these 2 version of a shot. One is black and white, and the other adds a sepia filter.





Which is the "better" version?

I like the sepia version better.

I'm with anlan on this. The sepia is the better of these two.

However, I think I like the original colour version best!

Took a closer look at them, they look about the same. You could try spot color, if you want.

Sepia works. It's an old windmill from a time when sepia was common.

Yeah, agree with them, though I would prefer it more sepia-ed.

maybe like this?

I've always really liked this shot, but it's not reflected in the number of views/faves... any ideas why?

well, i would say, either other people do not like it, or it does not have enough exposure.

It is a little dark, plus the dof is small.

I think if you used levels to bring out hour highlights and add some more contrast it would be more interesting. If you still have that necklace put or place it on a different background because the current one is very distracting. It is a good subject but overall the shot is too dark and it could use some editing, I could give it a go if you like, mind posting the link to a larger size?

Sure drac: http://static.zooomr.com/images/705633_0d79bdf3f5_o.jpg

I actually edited it quite a bit already, so you can see some evidence of sharpening. Details and original shot in this thread.

Incoherent Fool: Interesting you don't like the small DoF, I'm quite fond of it myself. Anyhow I don't really have too much control over it on my cameraphone :(
I think you're on to something with the darkness, brightening and reducing contrast of the background could potentially improve overall contrast of the image and highlight the necklace better.

Do you like this better, I tried cloning out all the liquid and spots that weren't reflections of the light hitting the necklace. I used Levels a bit, I brought out more contrast and saturation, and boosted the brightness with Curves if I remember correctly.

I couldn't take it into Camera RAW so that means It might not be as good as it could be. Anyway, I'm sure if you don't like it that way other people will for sure.

I like draconian's edit much more! the colours are warmer and the backgrounda much cleaner! :)
But, draconian, I think you can't take a jpg image in a RAW-editor, can you?

that's what i mean, I couldn't take it into Camera Raw

Anyway, I'm sure if you don't like it that way other people will for sure.
What are you saying about my tastes? ;)

I like the edit drac, especially the warmer tones and grain.

People really didn't like the backdrop huh, I agree it was quite distracting especially in the top right. It's the bathroom wall, the paint is flaking off. I liked it because the paint underneath is a similar colour to the green of the necklace.

Thanks Drac, always cool to see how others would have done it :D

Actually, this gives me an idea. Some of you may have seen this article: 28 Ways to Interpret a Photo.

What do the people think of a group dedicated to this sort of activity? A member posts an unedited photograph, the rest can go to town editing the photo in their own way. Then perhaps we could vote on the best one.

That's an awesome idea. Time to start a group!

In reply to the above one about the windmill, I think the tail's really nice with the base in that colour, though it's a little to extreme with regard to the vanes.

And yeah, let's go about with this, though voting's going to be a realy headache if we were to implement a yvb like system.

Wow that is a fantastic idea, Only if the original photographer can vote for their favorite version! haha, who should start this group? I will if nobody else wants to

I think that we should make sure to start this is a group, not as a thread. In fact, I think Critique should be made into a group and each person should create a thread for their image.

I think the main problem with yvb is that the threads get too long once there is more than 2-3 rounds on them.

I think that we should call the source thread, where we put what's to be edited ok to edit, free edit, edit me, or some thing to that effect.

anybody for starting?

I'll do it. It shall be christened "Edit My Shot".

thanks, good job.