Is it level?

[nwafan20]

Before I upload to JP, do you think this photo is level? I have been having problems with the leveling thing (I think it is because I am using a laptop on an unstable surface...)

Also, is there anything else you think can be improved?



*image updated*

[T-Bird76]

Looks fine to me.

[nwafan20]

Ok, I will go ahead and upload. Thanks!

[nwafan20]

By the way quality is better than that, had to reinstall Photoshop, forgot to set quality to 12. Just re-saved. I will change the pic for others who wish to review.

[Mellyrose]

Matt: laptop or not, you should be able to tell if it's level....I do all of my work, aviation and not, on a laptop.

TIP: In Photoshop, hit Control + ' (<--that's an apostrophe) and it will show you a grid. If you're on a Mac (since I know you're the king of them) hit Apple + '

Hope that helps. :)

[NIKV69]

Looks pretty good, if anything it may need the smallest of CW rotation. The building to the left of the tail without looks like it may be leaning ever so slightly to the left. Check it in PS with the grid and see. Remember don't go by poles, use the horizon.

[GrummanFan]

I do all of my work, aviation and not, on a laptop.

I know that the colors on a laptop are not close to the real thing, how do you deal with that?

[Mellyrose]

Macs are different :-D


You can also calibrate.

[moose135]

I know that the colors on a laptop are not close to the real thing, how do you deal with that?

I don't know, 250+ photos on jp.net, all done on a laptop. It's all I use (and no, Mel, it's not a Mac). Never calibrated it, I just tweek it until it looks right. I will say that unless it looks a touch oversharpened on my screen, I usually end up with a "soft" rejection. I've just learned what to look for and how it should look when finished. I guess it's a Zen thing or something :D

[Mellyrose]

Yeah, honestly even when I was on my Toshiba I never really had any issues. I think it just depends on the quality of the display.

[NIKV69]

My Dell desktop is calibrated and I do all my editing on it. Comes out great and colors are pretty much dead on.

[pgengler]

I never really had any problems with color before I would calibrate my monitor (CRT), but the biggest thing I noticed is that it's generally darker. I actually find it easier to go over to a horribly uncalibrated, and much brighter, laptop to look for subtle dust spots (though now that I've been introduced to "Equalize", perhaps not so much).

[nwafan20]

Yeah, but I have it on my lap, never on a desk, so it is usually at a slight angle.

[Mellyrose]

Yes, but the grid will be on the photo Matt! You could turn the laptop sideways and it would still indicate what is straight:

[pgengler]

My technique for leveling is to use the "Measure" tool (it's behind the Eyedropper (in CS2, at least)). To use, mouse over one point on the horizon and click. While holding, move the mouse to another point along the horizon and release. Then go to Rotate canvas > Arbitrary, and it will have filled in the amount of rotation (and direction) required to make your line level. You can always drag the ends of the line if you missed on the first click or the release.