C&C Please

LaFoto · Jul 23, 2011

As to the photo and its PP in question: if it is a photo of this young person that you could only get in that very situation and you can't return to taking her photo while she is this age and so on and so forth, then it is OK the way it is. You had that one chance, took it, took the pic, and this is what you have. A nice memento. And even if this shouldn't apply and you could repeat this photo shoot at any time, this is not the worst of all photos! So calling it "a turd" (as has been done with regards to "polishing it"...

) is downright wrong. And rude.

If you want to lead the viewers' eyes to the girl and away from the bright cars in the background, why not "take out the scissors", as it were, and crop that side of the photo off? Then you've a) got rid of the bright part that will invariably pull the eyes, and you've b) avoided having such busy background. Plus you have a portrait orientation of your image for a PORTRAIT.

I'd suggest that before you apply any filter or action in Photoshop or whatever programme you work with that will render the bright part even brighter (and more distracting) and which will give her eyes that thoroughly creep me out. I think whatever you did works worst on her eyes. Sorry. May be a matter of tastes...

BNHPhotography · Jul 23, 2011

So, for what it's worth.

I felt like it needed a little more light in her face, so i bumped the exposure, played with the highlights, and cropped the picture. I know your question was really about pp, but what you really wanted to do was 'take some attention off the cars in the BG'. I'm new as well, so my editing isn't the best in the world, but i'm sure you're more experienced than i am so you can take what i say with a grain of salt =) Happy practicing!

LaFoto · Jul 23, 2011

Here you did what I was just suggesting: you "put the scissors to the picture"! Good one!

jake337 · Jul 23, 2011

I'm do understand how to PP very much. Could you make a seperate layer for the background and drop the exposure down a stop? I think this would enhance the before and after as well as the cropped version.

GooniesNeverSayDie11 · Jul 23, 2011

I agree with Lafoto. Crop to remove some of the background. The filter you used adds a glow which effects the highlights. The problem is, that with this image, those highlights are in the background. If you have the ability to work in layers, I would mask her off and adjust exposure, contrast and dodge some of the shadows on her face and neck. I also dislike the cut off flower that I assume she was holding? I find it distracting. If you are skilled enough you could clone it out although I don't think its a huge problem given that this is mainly a pic for your own personal record. You should post a link to a full sized shot and let everyone have a go at it.

GooniesNeverSayDie11 · Jul 23, 2011

This is a bit of a hack job due to the small resolution of the pic. I didn't bother with any extra sharpening because it would have looked like garbage. The cloning is terrible I admit.

_1050894-1 by GooniesNeverSayDie11, on Flickr

nemopaice · Jul 23, 2011

Ok folks. FOr those that offered advice thank you and it is most appreciated. I am not afraid of a little critique. What I think is just a waste of time is people that jump in and make a random comment that offers no advice at all. Do you just sit in front of the computer all day with little to nothing to do? As it is, for some reason folks are thinking this is the only image I took or others may state about me posting a "crappy pic". Well it's like this.... Why would I, or anybody, post stellar shots on the internet just to have anyone copy them? Sure most people post smaller res. pics, but a decent enough 4*6 can still be printed out. Regardless on what other opinions may or may not be on that subject, I just won't do it! This one shot isn't the best, it's a tosser technically. which is why I chose it to play with. Why play with filters, etc on a pic that the filter may not be intended for? Simple. I have 10+ in the same location. Different angles and so forth, but the same filters can be used on them with very little adjustment.

The pics I do post are free to be edited. THe other reason for me to post less than perfect images is so others can have an opportunity to play with ideas. So, having said that, I would be more than happy to put a link up of the RAW file if anyone wants to hammer out some editing ideas. I would be happy to share techniques. I feel things like that helps everyone grow.

Aside from that, I went ahead and took this file (edited as I did) to two of the top photographers in my area. They both were in agreement that the eyes could be a little less bright and ASIDE from the composition, pose, etc., they both felt the PP was closely adequate to what their on-camera filters would be accomplishing. So I got the answer I was looking for albeit with me having to drive around to get the answers instead of fishing for the answer on a forum, regretfully.

Now, having said all that, if anyone would like to play the edit, or fix this photo game, state your interest and I will post a link either in this thread, or better yet a new thread, with the RAW file for download to play with.

Again to those of who offered the suggestions and comments on how to improve the photo, I humbly appreciate your time.

to GooniesNeverSayDie11 and BNHPhotography, I like both of your crops as well as your editing attempts. I'm sure you both could have done better with more to work with. If either of you would like the RAW file to play with let me know. I can convert the RAW to DNG for compatibility if necessary.

I would like to make one final note, before we go on. You can take what might be considered the best photo ever taken on Earth and I as well as others, can and will find things they do not like about it. The point of these types of forums, I have always thought, was to help others improve. not to berate photos. Critique on what is technically wrong and give ways to improve. If you give a bad critique without suggestions on how to improve, you haven't helped anyone. All you did was (and sorry, not trying to be rude) is make an ass out of yourself.