Landscape of CBD (first layering)

[Halfgeek]

1. in what area is critique to be sought?
First attempt at layering few images together. Need experts to verify if its done right or visually acceptable.

2. what one hopes to achieve with the piece of work?
Hope to get my layering done right.

3. under what circumstance is the picture taken? (physical conditions/emotions)
Afternoon, cloudy condition.

4. what the critique seeker personally thinks of the picture
Even though it is my first attempt but I would like to seek most honest opinions. I tried to get it right and spent about close to 2 hours to get this result which i think would be the best of what i got. Hopefully I can improve on my layering and landscape skills. Thanks

[MGohzxc]

Hi, you did not blend the different images properly especially the edges between the buildings and the sky. The photo is also very much underexposed and did not correct the vertical and horizontal perspective as well. Of course you will need to re-shoot for a better composition. You can google and read some tutorial on digital blending and try it out again.
Here is a quick example:

[Halfgeek]

Hi thanks very much for your opinion. Some how i dont know why theres this slight whiteness border ath the edges between the buildings and the sky... and its always there... sighs.

My photoshop skills is really terrible.

[zaren]

try correcting the backlighting in the photo by selective dodging and burning. the halos around the building can be corrected by "smudging" the outline of the buildings with the sky.
there's nothing much you can do about the tilted verticals now because the perspective correction would lose much sharpness and details in the image.

[edutilos-]

Hi thanks very much for your opinion. Some how i dont know why theres this slight whiteness border ath the edges between the buildings and the sky... and its always there... sighs.

My photoshop skills is really terrible.

Use a softer brush and don't be obsessed with "cutting out the buildings".

THere has to be a transition to the edge, I would ensure that most of the building details are there, and then paint nearer to the actual outline with a brush with lower opacity. It will take some time to get the hang of it, the more you play, the more you will understand. keep trying, cheers!

[thoongeng]

the active experts have replied within an evening

i can't offer better advice
just that I feel I would probably shoot at a better timing, and get something to help level your camera to minimize perspective distortion

have to choose to spend time waiting for the correct light, or spending time with software
spend more time with both + creative talent then maybe have a little chance to approach the experts here

Thanks for sharing! =)

[Halfgeek]

try correcting the backlighting in the photo by selective dodging and burning. the halos around the building can be corrected by "smudging" the outline of the buildings with the sky.
there's nothing much you can do about the tilted verticals now because the perspective correction would lose much sharpness and details in the image.

To be honest i got no single idea how to do that... as in smudging, dodging and burning. Im really a photoshop idiot I think i must research more in the internet about how to use photoshop. sighs

Use a softer brush and don't be obsessed with "cutting out the buildings".

THere has to be a transition to the edge, I would ensure that most of the building details are there, and then paint nearer to the actual outline with a brush with lower opacity. It will take some time to get the hang of it, the more you play, the more you will understand. keep trying, cheers!

Hi edutilos! Actually after you gave me the link, i went and adopt the layer mask technique... Somehow with it i think maybe i did it wrong, the white border appears. Is it better to use the painted mask technique? (using paint brush).

[Halfgeek]

the active experts have replied within an evening

i can't offer better advice
just that I feel I would probably shoot at a better timing, and get something to help level your camera to minimize perspective distortion

have to choose to spend time waiting for the correct light, or spending time with software
spend more time with both + creative talent then maybe have a little chance to approach the experts here

Thanks for sharing! =)

Hello thoongeng! Its ok! You still bothered to leave advice here for me and i appreciate it very much! Noted with thanks.

[thoongeng]

you're welcome

if you're new to photoshop I would suggest getting a basic book on photoshop from the library first. Learn the basics first then easier to follow the specific online tutorials, and with the basics you know how to tweak the settings on your own if following the online tutorials didn't work out for your photo.

To be honest i got no single idea how to do that... as in smudging, dodging and burning. Im really a photoshop idiot I think i must research more in the internet about how to use photoshop. sighs

There are 'smudge', 'dodge' and 'burn' tools in photoshop, they are in the toolbox by default, just try it out to see. I always gets it mixed up but dodging should be for lightening areas of a photo that you want it to be brighter and burning is the opposite, darkening areas.

Hi edutilos! Actually after you gave me the link, i went and adopt the layer mask technique... Somehow with it i think maybe i did it wrong, the white border appears. Is it better to use the painted mask technique? (using paint brush).

As mentioned in the article, the 'painted mask' is more labour intensive but more precise. But you still need to be familiar how to use layer masks first. Probably can refine the edges of the buildings manually, using the method that edutilos suggested (eh... though I'm not sure what he means by "cutting out the buildings" sorry =p)

[Halfgeek]

Hey thoongeng! thanks a lot for the very informative advice! Will do