Showing posts with label [Perak] Precious Cave Paintings Restored. Show all posts
Showing posts with label [Perak] Precious Cave Paintings Restored. Show all posts
Recently I've been spending some time looking through my photo archives. There are plenty of interesting photos went unpublished. Some of them (unpublished photos) were underexposed and not worthy of publishing. Luckily, I've discovered the power of Photoshop (PS).
PS is an amazing image editing tool that has forever changed graphic design and digital photographic editing. I used it VERY sparingly and in VERY subtle ways. Well, all I have to say is PS opens my images to new possibilities and brings them to life.
Starting from today, I'll be publishing a series of weekly posts about my PS images. Join me as I explore the hidden power of PS CS3 (Version 10). In this first article of the series, I'll discuss about the best way (in my opinion) to restore Perak Tong mythical limestone cave paintings. Note: Unless stated otherwise, all my photos are original (without PS).
According to World66, Perak Tong (Perak Cave) is located north of Ipoh in Gunung Tasek. Built in 1926, it is similar to the other cave temples in having Buddhist statues, with a 12.8m tall statue of a sitting Buddha as its centerpiece. Mystical cave paintings adorn the walls, and the temple has a commanding view of the countryside at the top of its 385 step staircase. Click HERE to read my full article on Perak Tong.
The cave art is in a dilapidated condition, and it is very hard to photograph or decipher the layers in the dark. It definitely pushed my camera far over it's ISO limits. After almost three hours of Photoshopping, the cave paintings were 'restored', bringing it back to its original splendor. I would love to hear your thoughts! Please leave your comments :)
PS 1: Meditating monk
How many faces can you spot? Um...this picture reminds me of Shoko Asahara (麻原 彰晃). No pun intended.
Note: This picture has been adjusted with Photoshop (PS) [Brightness/Contrast + Color Balance + Hue/Saturation + Levels + Smart Sharpen Filter: Radius 1.5 pixels, 450%]. Unless stated otherwise, all my photos are original (without PS).
-->Original wall painting
PS 2: The Goddess
A beautiful Goddess with magical shawls.
Note: This picture has been adjusted with Photoshop (PS) [Brightness/Contrast + Color/Balance + Levels + Smart Sharpen Filter: Radius 1.5 pixels, 400%]. Unless stated otherwise, all my photos are original (without PS).
-->Original wall painting
PS 3: Deep in thought
An old man with frowned eyebrows and pursed lips. I wonder what he's thinking about? It must be the worldly problems and troubles.
Note: This picture has been adjusted with Photoshop (PS) [Brightness/Contrast + Levels + Smart Sharpen Filter: Radius 1.5 pixels, 300%]. Unless stated otherwise, all my photos are original (without PS).
-->Original wall painting
PS 4: The Guardian
A supersize Guardian in full uniform.
Note: This picture has been adjusted with Photoshop (PS) [Brightness/Contrast + Color Balance + Smart Sharpen Filter: Radius 1.5 pixels, 400%]. Unless stated otherwise, all my photos are original (without PS).
-->Original wall painting
PS 5: The wise man of Perak Tong
Looks like a holy man. Can you see the halo a.k.a circle of light?
Note: This picture has been adjusted with Photoshop (PS) [Brightness/Contrast + Color Balance + Hue/Saturation + Levels + Smart Sharpen Filter: Radius 1.5 pixels, 300%]. Unless stated otherwise, all my photos are original (without PS).
-->Original wall painting
PS 6: The laughing Buddha
Is this the laughing fat Buddha 笑佛 ? Can someone please translate this for me?
Note: This picture has been adjusted with Photoshop (PS) [Brightness/Contrast + Hue/Saturation + Shadow/Highlight + Levels + Smart Sharpen Filter: Radius 1.5 pixels, 300%]. Unless stated otherwise, all my photos are original (without PS).
-->Original wall painting
Last updated 18th June 2010 (3:54 a.m.)
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