Quick Cozumel Dive Report 3/18/06 w/ some pics

[H20Bubbles]

I second what Christi said. The photos I posted in my post Cozumel thread were also straight out of the camera without Photoshopping other than to reduce the size.

Beside the strobe, Christi's advice on shooting around an f/stop setting of 5.6 to 8.0 also really helped the colors.

If you were to Photoshop your pictures, I think by auto setting the levels, and then adding some red (which is lost at depth) back to the pictures your images would look much more real life.

 

[nyprrthd]

Funny you should mention strobes. That's the next toy on my "to buy" list. Maybe I'll have one by the time we get to Cozumel!

 

[Moodiejeff]

It's called Mandrake's process right? something like that anyway...

I, for one, would rather see the pics in their original state than with all the colors drained out. I'm not too keen on purple water. That, of course, is just my opinion. 13x, thanks for posting them!

I'm not going to speak for 13x but some people don't like it when their pics are "altered" by other people. Not looking to pick a fight but thought I'd throw that out there... Someone did the same to me when I first started, and while I appreciated the help, it wasn't asked for. But, like I said, I don't like that process... in some instances it really helps but in most instances... well, you know my opinion already

 

[ggunn]

An external flash will bring the color out and give you the blue water...then you don't even need photoshop Except for resizing for posting purposes, my pictures were straight out of the camera.

I totally agree, it's better to shoot them well than it is to muck about with them in Photoshop, but we've got some old pix that look really good except for the color balance.

Jeez, time crawls when you're 6 weeks out from a Coz trip... ;^)

 

[Moodiejeff]

I totally agree, it's better to shoot them well than it is to muck about with them in Photoshop, but we've got some old pix that look really good except for the color balance.

Jeez, time crawls when you're 6 weeks out from a Coz trip... ;^)

Hey, at least your 6 weeks out as opposed to the rest of us in limbo

Another good option for some photos that look too "blue" is to make 'em black & white and crank up the contrast.


Hmmm, now that I look at these 2 pics i bet this would be one of the instances where I would actually find the output of the "Mandrake's Process" acceptable. I may just have to eat my words... :doh:

I also have good luck on marginal pics adjusting the reds in the color balance and slightly fiddling with the contrast/saturation/brightness. Some are just beyond saving though...

 

[Nevis Diver]

Jeez, time crawls when you're 6 weeks out from a Coz trip... ;^)

Try 7 months, 3 weeks and 3 days.....

Chris

 

[cyclical]

I'm digging that diver next to the wreck pic.

I wish I had photoshop so I could do that to my pics

Damnit Eric, I could get you a copy of Photoshop...

 

[94GTStang]

Damnit Eric, I could get you a copy of Photoshop...

Well where is it!

I'm still bitter my camera wasn't taking pics this weekend....

 

[cyclical]

Well where is it!

I'm still bitter my camera wasn't taking pics this weekend....

Oohh, viz wasn't that good underwater so we won't miss much. Just make sure to get it working by the time your Cozumel trip comes up.