Editing advice

Ream · Feb 20, 2014

This still does not look good to me. What am I missing>?

e.rose · Feb 20, 2014

It doesn't look good to me either. :lol:

Maybe it's the way you edited, but first of all... it doesn't even look like you got it in focus. It looks like you missed focus and are trying to hide that fact through over-editing.

Second of all... what did you do? Some sort of blur? Like... on the entire image?

No bueno.

Post the unedited version.

astroNikon · Feb 20, 2014

^^above (non pro comments) the top of her forehead looks to be in focus, and her eyebrows.

Did you use a shallow depth of field - aperture like 1.8 or 1.4 ? Did you try to Use single point of focus on the eyes?

also the cloth covering her looks to be a dark olive and a black. Maybe just use black

TWright33 · Feb 20, 2014

e.rose said:
It doesn't look good to me either.

Maybe it's the way you edited, but first of all... it doesn't even look like you got it in focus. It looks like you missed focus and are trying to hide that fact through over-editing.

Second of all... what did you do? Some sort of blur? Like... on the entire image?

No bueno.

Post the unedited version.

Well..... Let's not leave any stones un-turned :mrgreen:

WayneF · Feb 20, 2014

Ream said:
This still does not look good to me. What am I missing>?

White Balance? A little more yellow, a lot more magenta...

e.rose · Feb 20, 2014

TWright33 said:
e.rose said:

It doesn't look good to me either.

Maybe it's the way you edited, but first of all... it doesn't even look like you got it in focus. It looks like you missed focus and are trying to hide that fact through over-editing.

Second of all... what did you do? Some sort of blur? Like... on the entire image?

No bueno.

Post the unedited version.

Click to expand...

Well..... Let's not leave any stones un-turned :mrgreen:

I'm not one for subtleties. :lol:

cynicaster · Feb 20, 2014

As others have said, you should start by getting a better source image to work with before worrying about processing.

Some general things you want to make sure you get right in the camera, before you even think about editing anything:

- ensure your selected aperture provides DoF appropriate for the situation, and capture focus on subject's eyes
- ensure there are no signs of camera shake in the result due to inadequate shutter speeds
- get a good exposure (i.e. watch out for blown highlights and full black areas, and don't be afraid to expose the subject a bit on the hot side)
- mind your backgrounds
- have your model wear nice clothes/makeup/hairdo
- figure out a way to light the photo that will be interesting to look at and flattering to the subject (no pop-up flash)
- nice pose
- plan your composition with purpose
- do a custom white balance to help prevent odd-looking color casts in the result

Of course, books have been written on most of these subjects, so there is a lot to learn. The point is, "editing" can enhance a nice photo, but it can't make a nice photo out of a poor one. First things first.

With that out of the way, here are some things I don't like about your image:

- it looks like you've lost almost all detail on large parts of the model's skin
- I don't care for the composition; it's a bit cramped and the upside down thing isn't working for me
- lighting is kind of flat and uninteresting
- not sure about that outfit

Ream · Feb 20, 2014

K. I used a point & shoot on this.

this one is no edits, just cropped

Ream · Feb 20, 2014

Are they just a loss? Maybe I should not use this image..

lennon33x · Feb 20, 2014

Ream said:
Are they just a loss? Maybe I should not use this image..

Maybe. Here are a few things: 1) Flash (pop-up?). The shadows are harsh and around her neck and chest, the highlights are blown out. So the overall exposure seems incongruent. 2) DoF is not really great. Not sure where the focus is. By adding a blur, it gives too much of a post processed image. 3) The image, on the whole, seems confusing. Maybe it's the orientation.

e.rose · Feb 20, 2014

Ream said:
K. I used a point & shoot on this. View attachment 67194 this one is no edits, just cropped

Ream said:
Are they just a loss? Maybe I should not use this image..

The image quality on the original is poor.

You've also missed focus entirely, areas of her skin are blown out, and it's not a good pose or expression.

I see where you tried to edit out the lines on her forehead, but the fact of the matter is, you shouldn't have kept this image in the first place if she was making a face that caused those kinds of lines (let alone the fact that it's not in focus). Your cloning/healing/paint brush is super obvious, especially around the hairline where you just see a blob, and it's plasticy.

Forget about editing for now.

Focus on the basics of taking a good *photo*.

I understand that you're very limited with the fact that you're using a point and shoot, but there's no reason her posing couldn't be improved upon, the composition or the lighting. -- Work on those things before you attempt photoshop.