Ascending the Spinnaker Tower

Neil K · 4 Mar 2006 at 21:55

So today we finally went up the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, and picked a pretty good day to do so. Managed to get a few good photos, and then a few I wasn't sure what to do with.

Good ones:

contd below

Neil K · 4 Mar 2006 at 21:57

Ones I wasn't sure what to do with post processing:

(thought it was quite a nice shot but wasnt sure what to do to make it stand out)

Wondering if anyone could give me some tips to try to pick out those reflections in post processing

Just not sure what to do

And finally some panoramics:
1, 2, 3

AdWright · 4 Mar 2006 at 22:51

Wondering if anyone could give me some tips to try to pick out those reflections in post processing

Pretty trick to post process - some very careful cloning/burning would probably be the way forward. Extremely laborious though!

A prudent investment for future shots such as these would be a polarizing filter, which would help to cut down on unwanted reflections.

I like the first photo - I'd be tempted to clone out the masts and so on though

Neil K · 5 Mar 2006 at 13:07

OK thanks, any suggestions of what to look for in a polarising filter, and the best place to buy them? And in the first photo by masts, do you mean the gaps in the glass?

DannyDan · 5 Mar 2006 at 13:14

Neil K said:
OK thanks, any suggestions of what to look for in a polarising filter, and the best place to buy them? And in the first photo by masts, do you mean the gaps in the glass?

For me atleast, the actual first 2 images aren't visible (red Xs). So he's probably referring to the 3rd image.

I'd guess he means the boat masts at the bottom of the photo.

KIMMETT · 5 Mar 2006 at 14:33

Neil K said:
OK thanks, any suggestions of what to look for in a polarising filter, and the best place to buy them? And in the first photo by masts, do you mean the gaps in the glass?

Naughty naughty, no asking for competitors! I'll give you a shot with mine when I come back down for easter, they can make a real difference to some photos.

First shot is good, and I like the second panoramic as well.

As for getting rid of the reflections, as said above, it is a case of careful cloning and or burning to get rid of them or at least make them fade a bit.

I'd be tempted to b&w the shadow one, and really darken the shadow to make it stand out, that way the eye will be drawn to the shadow instead of the surrounding areas.

Hope that helps

Kimmett

Neil K · 5 Mar 2006 at 16:14

Oh yeah, I forgot you got a polarising filter. Also do OcUK sell polarising filters? Otherwise it surely doesn't count as competitors if there is nothing to compete with.

Oh and in the photo with lots of reflections I meant it would be cool to enhance the reflections to show peoples expressions etc.

ethan · 5 Mar 2006 at 17:50

You could try masking them and adding more contrast etc

DiG · 5 Mar 2006 at 18:49

tbh I had a polarising filter when I went up the spinikar and it didn't help much! Maybe I'm just **** at using them!

Much better than the photos I got!

mrk · 5 Mar 2006 at 19:20

DiG said:
tbh I had a polarising filter when I went up the spinikar and it didn't help much! Maybe I'm just **** at using them!

Much better than the photos I got!

PFs can help but you need to preset the camera accordingly, as flat as possible then increase contrast in RAW to suit.

I didn't need any when I was up there though and the shots came out nicely as long as you watch the angles you are shooting from.

Also you saw mmy house from up there =)

Neil K · 5 Mar 2006 at 19:30

mrk said:
PFs can help but you need to preset the camera accordingly, as flat as possible then increase contrast in RAW to suit.

Kinda tricky with my trusty S3000

Also where is that picture taken from to be on eye level with the tower?

Joe T · 5 Mar 2006 at 19:35

Neil K said:
Oh yeah, I forgot you got a polarising filter. Also do OcUK sell polarising filters? Otherwise it surely doesn't count as competitors if there is nothing to compete with.

OcUK sells cameras. A place that sells filters will most likely sell cameras also. Therefore they are likely to be a competitor.

mrk · 5 Mar 2006 at 19:43

Neil K said:
Kinda tricky with my trusty S3000

Also where is that picture taken from to be on eye level with the tower?

It's actually several hundred feet higher than the tower

- IFOS 2005 we were flown around by the royal navy on sea king roflcopters hanging our legs off the side door shooting the scenery =)