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This image of my bike was light painted at the Exchange Place Waterfront in Jersey City, with the One World Trade Center skyline in the background.

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Click on (THIS LINK....) to view a larger image, and check out my Flickr channel.
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* Last updated by: KoflaOlivieri on 8/23/2017 @ 8:19 PM *

Thinkin about 10R are ya?Killer bike.KRT model.Sweet.

I had to sneak away from the security guards late at night, they don't allow motor vehicles at the waterfront boardwalk.

* Last updated by: KoflaOlivieri on 8/23/2017 @ 8:20 PM *

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Click on (THIS LINK....) to view a larger image.

* Last updated by: KoflaOlivieri on 8/27/2017 @ 8:54 PM *

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Click on (THIS LINK....) to view a larger image.

Your pictures look like paintings. This one, in particular. If I didn't know that was a photo, I'd swear it was an amazing airbrush rendering. Isn't that a switch? "WOW, that looks just like a drawing!" "Did you photo that from a drawing?"

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Your pictures look like paintings. This one, in particular. If I didn't know that was a photo, I'd swear it was an amazing airbrush rendering.

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Some of my pictures look like paintings depending on the visual effect I am trying to convey. I rely heavily on using photo editing plugins. Similar as iPhone photo editor apps (art filters pic effects).

This last picture was created by taking (4) images using different exposures, and blending them together with Photomatix Pro using a process called Tone Mapping - (Soft 3 preset). They are then aligned, merged and rendered to HDR.

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Blending Four Images With Different Exposures:

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The final touch is done by using another photo editing program called Topaz Adjust, using the "Vibrance" preset. As I mentioned before, I like to use the Adobe Photoshop Elements plugin called Topaz Adjust because it helps to bring images to life by providing dramatic contrast, in addition to enhancing details and colors. They are great tools to make your HDR images pop.

Can you can tell the difference by comparing the four images above, to the final result below?

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Click on (THIS LINK....) to view a larger image.

VERY nice Kof.

Kofla you take the best pictures, really dig them leo vince cans on your 14, bet they sound great.

He doesn't just take them, he makes them!

What you are describing, Kofla reminds me of what I have encountered just cutting and pasting from different photos. Do a little careful work and the photo starts looking like real tight rendering. I suppose it sort of is. It intrigues me how this happens without even intending it. Like when you are a traditional illustrator, you intentionally do everything that makes the image. When you start playing with digital media using the same mindset, the results are really similar. It just blows my mind because the media is not similar at all.

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Kofla you take the best pictures, really dig them leo vince cans on your 14, bet they sound great.

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Thanks, I'm in love with the deeper sound of the Leo Vince. Bought it from another forum member, too loud without the baffle silencer insert though.

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What you are describing, Kofla reminds me of what I have encountered just cutting and pasting from different photos. Do a little careful work and the photo starts looking like real tight rendering. I suppose it sort of is. It intrigues me how this happens without even intending it. Like when you are a traditional illustrator, you intentionally do everything that makes the image. When you start playing with digital media using the same mindset, the results are really similar. It just blows my mind because the media is not similar at all.

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How long have you been using Illustrator? Editing pictures is like art therapy to me. Taking pictures is the first step, editing, experimenting and using photo editing tools is the fun part.

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I have used Illustrator occasionally for the past 9 years. I'm not an expert. Actually, I used Photoshop more than Illustrator but they work together well for me.

When I said "traditional illustrator" I meant an illustrator using traditional tools like real paintbrushes with bristles and real paint from a tube. If those tools are used, every part of the image is a separate decision. It just ends up looking different than a photograph even if it emulates photography. Your pictures have that same quality.

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HDR pics are weird. Mt first reaction is ACK! Harsh! Fake! ACK! But then as I continue to look at the details they start to appear more real than regular pics. And that's good. But if I look away and then back again, ACK! again. Weird. I'm not sure it's good or not In the eye of the beholder, of course, as always.

* Last updated by: extrapolator on 9/1/2017 @ 7:19 AM *

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They are weird. That's what makes them interesting. You need something to jar your senses once in a while if you look hard at art.

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I have used Illustrator occasionally for the past 9 years. I'm not an expert. Actually, I used Photoshop more than Illustrator but they work together well for me.

When I said "traditional illustrator" I meant an illustrator using traditional tools like real paintbrushes with bristles and real paint from a tube. If those tools are used, every part of the image is a separate decision. It just ends up looking different than a photograph even if it emulates photography. Your pictures have that same quality.

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It always amazes me how people created photography masterpieces in the past without the current tools/software. In the 70's, I had a friend, an amateur photographer, who used to develop his images in a dark room he created in his bathroom. It was a lot of work, but his pictures were amazing.

HDR pics are weird. Mt first reaction is ACK! Harsh! Fake! ACK! But then as I continue to look at the details they start to appear more real than regular pics. And that's good. But if I look away and then back again, ACK! again. Weird. I'm not sure it's good or not In the eye of the beholder, of course, as always.

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While I agree that some HDR images looks what I like to call "Frankenstein photography", in my opinion, most HDR images look better.

I took this image yesterday on my way home after spending a weekend in Atlantic City. I think this HDR image certainly has a "pop", without the "Frankenstein" look. lol

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* Last updated by: KoflaOlivieri on 9/5/2017 @ 10:24 PM *

Brooklyn Bridge Park Waterfront overlooking New York City

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Click on (THIS LINK....) to view a larger image.

* Last updated by: KoflaOlivieri on 5/27/2018 @ 1:52 PM *

Beautiful, your bike looks like a spaceship

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Beautiful, your bike looks like a spaceship

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Thanks, the picture looks a lot better than I thought, I took it at 4:00am yesterday morning. I'm a super commuter between Philly and New York City. Friday night I had a great two hour ride to Manhattan to meet up with a group of motovlogger friends. For a Friday, it wasn't that bad at the Holland Tunnel; it is almost always pretty congested. Friday nights is usually bumper to bumper, like in Los Angeles. The Brooklyn Bridge Park is guarded by overzealous security guards due to the hundreds of tourists that flock to the location every day; they don't allow vehicles in the waterfront area. But at 4:00am, the place is pitch dark and deserted. It's like walking in the lion's den. This is the reason why I always bring along my two best friends, Smith & Wesson.

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the bike, the backround, the location, very nice. sheesh while you were out and about i was counting sheep. maybe someday i will try and break away from my local rat race. Also if i get around to taking a couple pics would you be able to trickem out like that? or does it take to much time and energy to mess with other folks pics?

If it takes time the cure is money. Support your local artist or art go bye-bye.

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the bike, the backround, the location, very nice. sheesh while you were out and about i was counting sheep. maybe someday i will try and break away from my local rat race. Also if i get around to taking a couple pics would you be able to trickem out like that? or does it take to much time and energy to mess with other folks pics?

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I am not an expert, but photo editing is not too complicated if you have the right tools. The problem is that editing and retouching (post-processing) is time consuming. The point is, software is no substitute for camera skills. Producing a good image from a poorly taken photo can take hours sitting in front of a computer. Just take a look at my original image, it looks awful.

I am still learning, lots of trial and error, and lots of practice. In no particular order, my favorite photo editing programs are Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe Lightroom, Photomatix Pro and Topaz Adjust.

See the before and after photos:

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BEFORE:

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AFTER

"Also if i get around to taking a couple pics would you be able to trickem out like that?"
I guess Kof's saying 'no,you do it' lol.AND he's carrying as well.Was up with that?

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/28/2018 @ 7:08 AM *

How do you know he's carrying? Does his bike have a holster or something?

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oh i get it now, thanks for spelling it out fellas sheesh, duh dum bum ho howdy. I saw that too Grn, looks like hes got a sig p220 combat tucked right their in plain sight, it blends right in very nice work. Any gang bangers or freaks try messing wit the bike and bam, they get a cap popped right in they ass. as always last resort.