How would you edit this photo?

dearlybeloved · Mar 23, 2013

First of all, I am allowing you to edit this photo. :lol:

Here's my first edit, but I'm interested in seeing if anyone would like to take a stab at it. The original .NEF fill can be downloaded below.

Thanks!

https://www.box.com/s/71usu20q1ikf8dsjj9q5

Derrel · Mar 23, 2013

I just downloaded the .JPG file, and made only two adjustments: an exposure adjustment of 1.45 f/stops, and a recovery adjustment of 45 points. That's all. I think if one wanted to make it most-appealing, one would clone in some fake catchlights in her eyes, which look a bit...odd....to me at least.

dearlybeloved · Mar 23, 2013

I don't understand what you mean by recovery adjustments of 45 points. Could you elaborate a little bit for future reference?

KmH · Mar 23, 2013

Camera Raw/Develop module (ACR) using PV 2003/2010 has a Recovery slider that recovers details (if any) in the highlights.
Make color and tonal adjustments in Camera Raw
When Derrel added 1.45 EV of exposure, the highlights in the image likely maxed out (no detail) and hence the use of Recovery.
The sliders in PV 2012 were updated, and the Recovery slider was eliminated.

Derrel · Mar 23, 2013

Yes, KmH is showing the "recovery" feature's slider control. Nice screen caps, Keith!@!@ Directly above the big red arrow he drew, is the exposure control, which is where I added the 1.45 EV "plus" exposure. This AM, I came back to the thread, downloaded the NEF, and opened it, and did a very simple conversion and added Matt's Edge Darkening #1 to the shot, added about 1.35 EV of exposure, and recovery of 42 points. Looked okay to me. I DID see however that the ORIGINAL .NEF file had catchlights in her eyes!!! To me, that was the single most-critical problem with the JPEG you put up yesterday--the missing catchlights in her eyes!!!

Here is the conversion I made this AM. I hope you enjoy that fine new camera! The large-sized,revised image is located at this URL: D800 sample revised.jpg photo - Derrel photos at pbase.com

KmH · Mar 23, 2013

A quick and dirty edit - crop away background distractions, addressed severe under exposure, selected the background, refined the selection edge, and added a neutral density gradient from the top to the bottom of the image.

HL45 · Mar 23, 2013

I took a couple stabs at it.......

Used some presets on this one LR4

Used sliders on this one

She has a nice smile! Wish my teeth looked that nice lol

lonerunner · Mar 23, 2013

Here's my edit in lightroom, i raised a bit contrast and exposure, crop and rotate, turned hilights and whites down a bit, and added a bit of clarity, used a lightroom preset for sharpen faces, pumped up luminance on her eyes, and used red eye correction on her eyes. I noticed that you added black spots on her eyes removing reflection which make's it really bad. Keep reflection just use some tool to remove fringe from reflection. Im not good at it so my image still have some fringe in eye reflection.

bianni · Mar 23, 2013

My edit. Selected subject, inversed selection and applied blur, removed the harsh shadows below nose and chin, cropped.

cgipson1 · Mar 23, 2013

I wouldn't bother.. I would reshoot it!

And why did you clone out the highlights that exist in the raw file?

Also.. I would recommend in the future putting the focal point on an eye, not her nose.

DarkShadow · Mar 24, 2013

@ Derrel,I am new here and a beginner at digital but my eyes tell me that's a perfect edit as the subjects contrast - exposure is just right along with the back ground.Also some good shadow detail.Nice edit work IMO.

Ysarex · Mar 24, 2013

Joe

ryanwaff · Mar 24, 2013

Slightly more saturated look. Done with vibrance adjustment, as well as curves, contrast and levels adjustments. With the aim of darkening the background while giving her face - particularly the eyes some more punch.