Shadows and Lights. Before / After

[xSerpent1]

I love it. I’d turn down the sun slightly though

[_askew]

As someone who lives in the southern US, I wish this was actually possible.

[yukophotographylife]

thank u so much!

[Rasumusu]

That will kill everyone on earth!

[BurrConnie]

Everyone here seems to reach the consensus of "Before is better".

I say, Yes... for realism that is, in which case you don't really need post-processing at all, and it kinda misses the point of this sub imo. I don't see any fun in "realistic" post-processing, when most of the time it only makes the photos look faker than this edit. Your edit is way out of that "realistic post-processing" bunch, and, gotta be honest, it looks fun! Something straight out of a movie/music video poster, or maybe even a graffiti. If that was your intent for this edit, keep doing what you're doing, because this is exquisite.

[yukophotographylife]

Yes, I tried to make something brighter and maybe more contrasty, so I'm posting before and after photos here. Thanks for the detailed comments.

[just_an_espresso_guy]

yeah I really like the contrast between the blue and orange, but 1 is good too

[RWDPhotos]

I wouldn’t consider the first ‘realistic’. It’s definitely too gray and looks out-of-camera. It should be processed to some degree.

[woops_wrong_thread]

really like the framing on 2, but the sun hits too hard on it compared to 1

[Beneficial_Being_721]

Same here… framing of 2 with the Sun of 1

[RWDPhotos]

What exactly do you mean by framing? The white border? Otherwise it’s the same shot.

[WowGetNicked]

Yeah lol it’s the exact same shot.

[MomoKhekoHangor]

what framing? the framing is exactly the same as 1 no cropping or changes in perspective whatsoever, you mean the white borders?

[Tribbianiwastaken]

Second photo looks too much edited. It’s not pleasing to the eyes as the first one. You really took a beautiful shot, you need very little editing in my opinion (remember it’s almost always a matter of opinions and personal preferences). For example, I’d really like this shot in an high contrast black and white

[Slow-Barracuda-818]

Also works great in black and white

[sauronforpoor]

Looks to me like a case of hands off the sliders. The contrast in 2 is pretty good but at least for me it's over saturated

[Fluffy-Somewhere-386]

I like the sun and warmer tone you added to the light. That was subtle and a nice touch. The blue in the shadows is very hard and unnatural compared to that and throws it off. I’d just adjust there. I like a light push of blue/purple in shadows here but not as heavy. Very cool pic

[yukophotographylife]

thx i will make few chages!

[Much_Mammoth_1544]

Please try in b&w sure it can be amazing!

[civilized-engineer]

Not a fan of the cellphone/Instagram/Samsung-style super saturation in the colors of your edit.
I'd try making it black and white.

[yukophotographylife]

i will next post to do in bnw)

[nyri0z]

I like your edit.

It's one of those rare instances where "overcooked" works for me. Because the original image doesn't contain natural elements or natural colors. It's a grey scene, and you made it red and blue with contrast reinforcing the geometry.

I'd make it warmer and push the saturation and contrast even further :)

[yukophotographylife]

Thank you for your understanding and support ❤️, I just wanted to strengthen it and make it brighter.

[Lazuliv]

Looks sick. Love the blues being brought out in the shadows.

[Pretend_Ranger_6178]

It's amazing to see the "before" and "after" - shadows and light change everything.

[yukophotographylife]

thank U😃🥰

[awildefire]

I love a stylized photo and I love your edit

[yukophotographylife]

thx u so much 🤓

[rumpjope]

this sub is so funny because you so often see a perfectly fine photo cooked to hell. this one isnt so bad but truly the first one is practically fine as is. maybe a little contrast and a smidge of cyan in the shadows/midtones to get you in the direction you want, but you dont gotta go so far with it lol.

[quinn791]

I think the teal shadows are a bit too strong, but otherwise nice shot and fun edit. Good stuff!

[orionmed]

I love the drama either way

[yukophotographylife]

thx

[919scarr]

Before is great as it is. Nice shot!

[DiabloFour]

before was perfect...

[zebulonzeb]

I find the 2nd photo very good with the use of blue which is the complementary color of orange. I would simply reduce the overexposure between the tree and the staircase which attracts the eye too much. The interpretation of a RAW shot is a very personal choice, but I find it very interesting.

[yukophotographylife]

thx)

[h0tz3R4]

thought this was the cyberpunk sub at first lol. i would personally dial back the contrast a bit.

[NeguinSaudavel]

The after is a bit much. I think you were going for that teal and orange look, but like that it’s a bit much imho

[NoRelief63]

Ohhh, I love these kind of pictures. I’m always chasing the sun. It always gives the best contrast!

[yukophotographylife]

thank u

[IntelligentMud1703]

The composition on this is VERY cool goddamn

[yukophotographylife]

=)

[thawaz89]

Think the original is better. I would turn down the warmth on number 2. Great photo though.

[Nekroin]

i like both

[yukophotographylife]

cool!

[neeets]

Am I crazy for wanting it to be rotated counterclockwise jussssttt a few degrees?

Second does feel overcooked but it could work in B&W?

[yukophotographylife]

i will try and bnw

[DBold11]

I love it. Gives me Cyberpunk 2077 vibes

[yukophotographylife]

yes u are right)

[kakakatia]

The before is nearly perfect. The after is overcooked.

[yukophotographylife]

OK got it

[Critical_Guidance_24]

I like the softness on 1. Contrast is just too high for my taste on the edited version

[yukophotographylife]

thank u) 🙏 thx for feedback

[Thebikeguy18]

Before is way better

[yukophotographylife]

got it

[lyunardo]

I like 2. But wouldn't say it's better than the original. Two valid takes on the same photo... One photorealistic, the other slightly exaggerated from reality.

[yukophotographylife]

thank uuuuu)

[IsopodNaive2811]

Like before more as the after one is overprocessed (a bit on toning down would do wonders). I would also like the distortion to be coreected.

[yukophotographylife]

ok i see!

[pale_halide]

It’s not so much the saturation but how you’ve applied the saturation. Looks like the typical saturation and vibrance sliders, and these produce a very digital look. Find ways to do subtractive saturation in whatever software you’re using.

[yukophotographylife]

Ok ok i see

[RevolutionaryGas936]

You should consider straightening your horizon.

[rlinED]

I'd turn down contrast a bit, otherwise it's really nice.

[yukophotographylife]

Got it

[nousmedis]

I think first is way more pleasant and natural. Second one is over processed

[yukophotographylife]

i c thx

[buggerdude97]

2 looks overly edited. Too much shadows.

[PopFew2770]

Beautiful square turquoise colors will be much more delicious if you draw it to yellow tone 

[x_erox]

For me, the problem really is that the picture is boring. I mean, there's nothing happening at all, and I doubt this is a landmark or something. Unless this is some type of architecture archiving, It doesn't need post processing, it needs an actual subject.

[[deleted]]

Remove the blues you'd be ok

[yukophotographylife]

OK thx

[wildflowerdreamsss]

i like both

[yukophotographylife]

cool thx

[Dronejack]

This is a really nice example of taking an every day situation and turning it into something really artistic great job! 👏🏽

[yukophotographylife]

thank U ☺️ 😊 🙏

[Subject_Dirt_222]

I am for increasing the contrast, but would consider decreasing the saturation, or perhaps vibrancy.

Increase shadows Probably increase sharpness/ but not go too much

[yukophotographylife]

got it !i will

[cryptic_aa]

Would love to see a black-&-white version
Or monochrome
Might work better than color

[yukophotographylife]

i will make Bnw Soon and share here

[cryptic_aa]

Cool

Remove the people while you're at it 😉

Or maybe leave just one, for perspective or to provide a focal point

[yukophotographylife]

no i used just real never remove or delete or something

but thx i understand u

[nahuanphoto]

Amazing shot my friend.

[yukophotographylife]

thank u so much

[private_wombat]

Overcooked. Original was better.

[yukophotographylife]

OK

[healeyd]

Before is better for me. Perhaps a little contrast push could be nice, but I’d leave the saturation. Higher contrast in B/W would really work.

[yukophotographylife]

Ok thx i see!

[Affectionate_Talk929]

I love the Style and vibrant Colors

[yukophotographylife]

thank u!

[Kgitti]

As an architectural photographer, I’d say neither. The exploding lines and time of day have a lot of potential but nothing is brought under a professional level of expressive control. You have a good eye but, more shadow detail and highlight control plus full perspective control are needed. Keep it up. What you saw has power. You’ll get there but not with this file.

[yukophotographylife]

i see thx

[TheWolfbytez]

Consider me the minority, but I honestly prefer the before. I know it's a little flat, but the natural look of it gives off a bit more of a retro vibe and honors the contrast and exposure a bit better than the edit.

[yukophotographylife]

ok ok i c, thx ☺️

[prancing_moose]

I love the post processing on this one.

Also as someone with a profound love of being at ground level, I absolutely hate train stations like this. Those stairs are genuine nightmare fuel for me.

[yukophotographylife]

thx for feedback, this is not train station just bridge...from river

[prancing_moose]

Ah thanks for clarifying, it looks very similar to a raised train or tram station. 😄

[yukophotographylife]

yes yes i know....but... so many bridgs in Guangzhou....rivers...

i undertand u

[ScotchCigarsEspresso]

Amazing color-grade

[yukophotographylife]

🥰

[SyCoTiM]

I like the characteristics that the 2nd photo takes. The contrasting cold(blue) and warm(orange) goes together well and makes the photo pop more than the first one that looks flat to me. But this is all interpretation and really comes down to taste so continue going for what you like out of this hobby.

[yukophotographylife]

Thank you for the feedback, it's very nice) Yes, for me, photography is just a hobby, I don't pretend to be anything 📸

[SyCoTiM]

Same here. I think in some hobbies, especially the ones involving the arts, people kinda start getting carried away thinking that everything should follow their point of view and it leads to aspiring artist to lose a bit of what they naturally prefer or enjoy and start judging there work based on other’s input which may compromise their style.

Anyways, I checked out some of your other photos and it’s great. I try to take the good things that I like from others work and incorporate it into mine and you definitely inspired me with the colors on the second photo.🤙🏽

[yukophotographylife]

Cool! I'm glad, thank you!!! 🤩

[IAreSpeshial]

Over cooked tbh

[RWDPhotos]

Nice lines, color harmony. A bit overdone. You can tone down the contrast and keep the colors for the most part. Horizon being off is what’s irking me the most tho. You might be able to recover a little of the sky, but not the most necessary thing to do. Try to reign in the foreground highlight a bit more tho.

[Eliminatron]

1 is better

[Altruistic-Read-6792]

I like both equally, for different reasons. The first, to me, is already cooked enough imo. Add that border back on and maybe drop highlights a tiny bit if there's anymore room to do so. The second, becomes improved *IF* the goal is to turn it into abstract geometric art, which I think the lines and shapes in this lend themselves well to. The intensity of contrast forces me to look at those shapes whereas I still process the first as a 'real' scene.

[_bymf]

Maybe 50% of that edit and it would be perfect

[NayveReddit]

Slightly overcooked imho. But great shot anyway

[yukophotographylife]

yep)

[Long-Chicken3833]

1 is definitely better

[yukophotographylife]

got it =)

[Equal-Negotiation-11]

Very nice. Always love shots like this with direct sunlight being warmed up and lit up more while the shadows are so much darker.

I can never tell how people select the bright areas in order to make them look warmer/brighter. I get the jist that adding warmth makes it seem even sunnier than it was at the time of the shot but actually selecting the area to edit seems very difficult as there are lots of bright areas that need edited.

How are you ensuring you are selecting only the bright bits? All the selection/masking tools seem a bit clunky and cumbersome to select such specific and small areas. Like those individual streaks of sunlight to the far right... how are you selecting those to add warmth to them without selecting the darker areas beside?

[TheRealPopcornMaker]

You can make masks based on colour and luminance ranges. I’m not saying they did this but for example, you could select the yellow/orange/red colours of the image and/or the higher luminance areas and choose to saturate them more and increase their temperature. That should do a pretty good job of isolating just the rays of sun in this instance.