Another one of Sue...different style

NJMAN · May 20, 2007

Here is another one of Sue, but in a different style. I used the sun as the backlight and worked on the exposure so that her face and overall skin tone was a bit warmer and more pleasing. Also, played around with a gaussian blur effect outside of the focus area. She wanted to go for a "fresh warm spring" look.

d1a1s1 · May 20, 2007

Well, Im no expert but I think this is a VERY well done portrait!

NJMAN · May 20, 2007

Thank you d1a1s1!! Very appreciated.

Riggaberto · May 20, 2007

I'm not a fan of the heavier blur around the edges, but that's just me. I think the flowers right next to her head is the best blur level and I'd keep that throughout the image.

schumionbike · May 20, 2007

Very Nice portrait shot, I don't mind the super blur on the left, I think it make it more interesting!

NJMAN · May 21, 2007

Thanks schumion and rigga! I appreciate the tips and feedback!

skieur · May 23, 2007

Using liquid or the warp brush in Photoshop or PaintShop Pro I would de-emphasize her slightly prominent chin with a little touch up.

skieur

Alex_B · May 23, 2007

skieur said:
Using liquid or the warp brush in Photoshop or PaintShop Pro I would de-emphasize her slightly prominent chin with a little touch up.

skieur

but wasn't this meant to be an image showing her?

If you change proportions, it is not her anymore.

NJMAN · May 23, 2007

I value your comment skieur, but I will have to agree with Alex. Maybe if she had a flabby turkey neck, I would liquify a bit, but her slightly prominent chin is one of her defining characteristics.

Thanks for your comments.

NJ

Alex_B · May 23, 2007

regarding myself I would even go a step further and classify cosmetic manipulations on an image showing myself as an insult

Not that I am perfect, but if someone does not consider myself worth being on a photograph the way I am, then he or she should not take the picture.

JimmyJaceyMom · May 23, 2007

I think her chin is nice. But anyhow. I did like your old ones but this one is so nice! Very lovely. I love the blur!

ClarkKent · May 23, 2007

I do like this one better than the other two. Good work. Maybe a bit of a vignette instead of the blur would help bring more attention to your model? Good stuff.

NJMAN · May 23, 2007

I was thinking the same thing about the vignette. I will have to try that on another version.

Thanks Clark and kathi for the nice comments!

NJMAN · May 23, 2007

Not to drag the cosmetic thing on, but the way I see it, when you start manipulating bone structure in a person's face by means of PS or any other processing software, thats when the image pretty much ceases to exist as a true image of the person. That may sound sappy and all, but thats my view. Artists that do touch up and processing for cosmopolitan or glamour magazine may have a different view because they are trying to make big money by selling flawless beauty that doesnt exist in the real world. I want to make money, but not at the expense of a subject's true appearance (but only maybe if they specifically asked me to...but I wouldnt suggest it). :wink:

Okay, I'm stepping down from my soap box now.

NJ

AprilRamone · May 23, 2007

Hi NJMAN,
I think this is a nice portrait and I really like the backlighting of the sun on her hair. But, I think the blur around the edge is overdone and rather distracting. Also, you said you were going for a warm spring look, but it still looks rather cold to me. I'm no expert in changing skin tones but maybe you could take down the cooler colors and up the warmer ones?
I think this one would look so much better if you got rid of the blur and added a nice vignette.