Study Group 13
Pete Nicholls

Car Race

How I did it -

I straightened the image then cropped to the maximum 500 pixel dimension.  I chose to include only the two cars, track, signage and a little grass for color.  I replaced the pieces of concrete alongside the white line of the track with grass.  I isolated the two cars and put them on their own layer and sharpened them.  I blurred the background layer with 90 degree motion blur to taste.  Performed a little cleanup here and there, flattened the image and applied a little saturation and contrast.  Finally, I did a Bevel & Emboss from Blending Options.

COMMENTS:
 

Stan Ashbrook	You did a similiar adjustment to mine. On thing when you copy the selected cards and paste them to a new layer and then blur the background, the original cars are still on the background and give you a funny kind of blur on the front of the car which isn't natural. That is why I cut the selected cars to a new layer before I blur the background.
George Finegold
Karen Leonard	Welcome to the group! Nice image editing. Like, Stan's, a total improvement on the original.
Carol McCreary	Nice cleanup and straightening of the picture...  What did the "Bevel & Emboss" do to the photo ??  You have the best improved picture this month.  Good Job.
William Thompson	Very nice cropping to concentrate the action.
Minnie Travis	Welcome to the group.  It is interesting to see other results to one image.  Realistic blur, nice color, saturation and sharpening.  The line instead of the concrete gives the image a nice crisp look.  The Bevel and Emboss gives the image a finished look.

Member Bio

Originally from England , Pete Nicholls immigrated to America in 1961. Combining a life-long interest in photography and nature, he began photographing the natural world in 2001. He entered his first photography competition in 2002 and was awarded a silver medallion as a first prize winner in the International Open Amateur Photography Competition. Since then, over 180 ribbons have been awarded in various competitions. Pete is also a contributing photographer to the Georgia 24/7 photography project book by Rick Smolan and David Elliot Cohen (ISBN: 0756600502) released in October 2004.  Pete also develops web sites and provides computer repair services. Pete is a member of the Middle Georgia Camera Club and founder and 1st President of the Digital Imaging Photography Guild in Warner Robins , Georgia .