First exposures from new DMC-FZ150

[daddy2kids]

Hello. Here are first images from my new FZ150. These are resized RAW files. I tried messing around with the temperature, tint, etc. and although I saw changes, I did not hit upon a combination that looked more accurate or more interesting than the RAW files.

Any suggestions? The dropper did not really result in any images I liked.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jroovers]

Those look pretty good to me. Did you do any sharpening in post? In terms of constructive criticism, they look a tad white (two and three) and a bit flat.

What program were you using to edit? When shooting RAW, you are essentially preserving the most information in the image possible that can then be used in post with the greatest flexibility. When shooting in JPEG, the camera will automatically add things to the image such as contrast and saturation to give a more polished final image.

I would try adding some contrast to the images, especially that first one, to add a bit more pop.

 

[daddy2kids]

Thanks, jroovers. I really appreciate it. I did nothing in post except resize and save to JPG. I looked at the RAW file in iPhoto, and I Exported it to JPG with a 1000 bit longest side using high quality compression.

Now that you mention it, I did think that the contrast slider did make the first one look better, but I abandoned that, tried the others, reversed everything, and gave up. I did notice that the last one looks "white." How do I un-whiten and un-flatten them?
I suppose the principle I need to learn is that not all photos need the same post-processing and some might just need a tweak here and a tweak there.

I will try some tonight when I get home. Thank you!

 

[jroovers]

Thanks, jroovers. I really appreciate it. I did nothing in post except resize and save to JPG. I looked at the RAW file in iPhoto, and I Exported it to JPG with a 1000 bit longest side using high quality compression.

Now that you mention it, I did think that the contrast slider did make the first one look better, but I abandoned that, tried the others, reversed everything, and gave up. I did notice that the last one looks "white." How do I un-whiten and un-flatten them?
I suppose the principle I need to learn is that not all photos need the same post-processing and some might just need a tweak here and a tweak there.

I will try some tonight when I get home. Thank you!

Yes, some photos will indeed need more than others. The closer you can get to having thinks look WB'd, sharp, and exposed properly in camera, the easier life gets in post and fewer and lesser tweaks are needed.

The difference between the two (RAW and JPEG) is that your camera will make certain adjustments in camera when shooting in JPEG (e.g. adding contrast and saturation), and when shooting RAW, you are not doing that. So it is reasonable to conclude in post that you may need to add some of those elements in to a raw image to give it more punch and to fine tune the colour you are seeing with your naked eye (and more so for WB adjustment than anything with aquarium shooting). I use a mac and have found iPhoto a huge PITA to work with. I would try and get away from using iPhoto as your raw photo converter and editing too and instead start with the software you got in your camera. In the end, you'll get miles further ahead.

If you feel your WB is okay, you may want to tune the exposure down a touch to make it look less "white", but that is also a product of the type of lighting you are shooting under. By flat I meant lacking a certain feel of depth or three demensions, and adding some contrast might help - but as will all photography, that is just an opinion - different strokes for different folks!

 

[daddy2kids]

Is this one any better...? I tweaked exposure, contrast, Temp, etc. of the RAW file just a little.

I am trying to capture the glowing ember effect, which is what I see in these palys.

 

[sp1813]

That paly is pretty sweet.

 

[magdelan]

I hope that you don't mind, but I did a little editing for you.

 

[daddy2kids]

Thanks magdelan! I don't mind at all! I'm a noob and I want to learn. May I ask what you did? I'd like to duplicate in RAW....

 

[magdelan]

I added more contrast added a touch of saturation, and brought down the brightness a bit. Then I adjusted the individual RED BLUE GREEN untill it looked right. It's really something that you need to do on your own and practice. There really isn't a formula... trust me, I've been looking! This website has a lot of stuff that I found to be helpful. Hopefully, you'll find it helpful as well.

 

[uxdesigner]

Try playing around with the levels of the photo. The rest of the settings get very complex but you can get some great enhancement sticking with levels and worrying about the rest when taking the shot.

 

[daddy2kids]

Thanks, magdelan. Thanks uxdesigner.

Magdelan, would you mind being a little more specific about what you did to the single polyp paly image? You really made the colors in the center pop. Maybe just send me an image of the sliders after you adjusted them? I really want to learn and I cannot seem to duplicate the way you made those colors pop. Thanks in advance.