A little critique on a hot rod from a custom 'rod show

[lister]

Hey fellow photo buffs, a couple of versions of the same car I took today at a custom 'rod show that was held this weekend. One is the original which I love (a little white balance correction but nothing else), the other a HDR version (bracketing 1 stop either side). I had a great day, got some other fantastic shots in (still working on them) and even got the little guy in on the action with several shots of his own. I'm till undecided as to which one I prefer. Something about the HDR showing more of the "grittiness" of the car but I love the crisp look and feel of the straight shot. Thoughts or suggestions appreciated:

And the HDR:

 

[ouch]

The colors look a bit cartoonish in the second photo, so although that image really pops, I prefer the more natural looking first image.

 

[Rockminer]

I also like the first pic. I think it would look even better, if there would have been more natural sunlight available. ( It looks like the pic was taken inside of a building? It's hard to tell) I think this pic, in early morning sunlight, would look really good. Not sure if you can simulate it or not.

Those are both good pics, I'm just giving you what I think would make it pop more. No disrespect meant on your ability to take quality photos.

 

[djh]

First- the editorial image.
Second- the art image.

I'm not normally a huge fan of HDR photos, but it is effective here because it gives you some separation between the subject and the car in the background.

Nice work!

 

[fast14riot]

I think if you toned down the hot spot on the door pillar, the HDR would be a much better shot. The eye always goes to the brightest spot first, so that hot spot stands out like a sore thumb! Also, I would have waited until the people in the background were out of frame, its a bit distracting. What ISO was this shot at?


-Xander

 

[global_dev]

Man, both are nice, but the hdr shot screams clean my grill. Look at all those bugs!!!

 

[global_dev]

No tilt shift example, that would be cool too.

 

[lister]

Thanks for the comments so far guys. It was shot indoor, thankfully there were no downlights on, its all natural light, but having said that the flare on the pillar is so obvious now

I was thinking of using a object remover and clone brush to try and tone it down some.

I think you hit the nail on the head David, the HDR make for a nice separation, but I wonder if it's too much and might be better achieved through another method.

I don't tend to do a lot of PP but would love any suggestions others have. I had a play with tilt-shift but I think the photo is too tight with not enough in the background to make it pop. Mind you though that could be my limited skills with the effect too

 

[fast14riot]

The way I see the image is a colorless car surrounded by color and highlights. Try a conversion to B&W and tone down the bright windows in the top left, the reflections on the car behind and work on the hot spot. Maybe try taking the global brightness down a touch. I think it might be interesting to leave the mooneyes sticker on front in color too, but maybe not.


-Xander

 

[celestino]

i have to agree i prefer the original and i would agree with Xander and try it in B&W. However, you could just tone down the colours in the second one to see how that would go. Great shot!

 

[lister]

Per Xander's and Celestino's suggestion, a black and white treatment with coloured Mooneyes:

 

[fast14riot]

Very nice! Amazing how the writing on the hood really cleaned up with the conversion. Much cleaner overall I think. The Mooneyes sticker is a cool little touch to give the hint that it is a colorless car.

Personally, I think the HDR blows out the lowlights, just look at the front wheel and seams between the door and body, the original is crisp and clear, but the HDR makes them look fuzzy and over stated. A full on ratrod might benefit from those image features, but I think this car looks better with the finer details.


-X

 

[lister]

Thanks Xander. I've a few hundred other photos from the day I'm yet to run through, but I do believe there is at least one rat rod in the mix (rusty body and all). I'll have to see if I can scare it up and see what she looks like.

 

[celestino]

Sean, much better pic!