Family Portrait Feedback

[SGorman]

Alright. I like the black background idea. This is where I am.


LEdit by gormanimagery, on Flickr

 

[kennyboy]

Dont go out so easy. Change the background to something that improves the composition. Then, soften the edge of the layer/mask, so they people dont look as if they are cut out with scissors. Your skin tones are much better in the above version, but try to adjust things so you start to see the highlights of the hair pop. You are definitely on the right track.

 

[SGorman]

Thanks all for your input. I kind of like this one, but it still might look a little '80s to me.. But they're back, right? I have some fine tuning to do to the clipping path, but overall, I'm much happier withthe result.

LEdit2 by gormanimagery, on Flickr

 

[MTVision]

Thanks all for your input. I kind of like this one, but it still might look a little '80s to me.. But they're back, right? I have some fine tuning to do to the clipping path, but overall, I'm much happier withthe result.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephaniegorman/6314025148/
LEdit2 by gormanimagery, on Flickr

I don't like the way the hair color changed in this new edit.

 

[BuS_RiDeR]

My 2 cents...

I used Gimp to do this. You can use Photoshop or most any other PP sofyware to do the same things (commands and menues may be different).

This is what I did... taking more time and working with the RAW file or at least the original full size JPEG will allow for much better results.

• Step 1: Auto white balance.
• Step 2: Added some sharpness.
• Step 3: Duplicated the layer.
• Step 4: Added an Alpha Channel to the top layer.
• Step 5: Converted the top layer to B&W.
• Step 6: Again to the top layer, adjusted the the contrast using the "Curves" tool until most of the people/hair/clothes where black and the background was a lighter shade (gray/white... just not black).
• Step 7: Again to the top layer, Used the paint brush tool to paint anything inside the shape of the people black. (to do it properly, take your time and use magnification to avoid leaving a "halo" around the peaple...)
• Step 8: Again to the top layer, Use the select by color tool and select the black area.
• Step 9: From the EDIT menu "cut" the black part out. You will then see the color version of the family show through the hole you just "cut" from the top layer.
• Step 10: Again, with the top layer selected; from the SELECT menu, choose INVERT so everything but the alpha Chanel area you just cut out is selected.
• Step 11: Select the paintbrush tool amf paint the selected area on the top layer whatever color you wqant the background to be...
• Step 12 "Save As" whatever you want... You're done.

A little bit time comsuming... But its worth it if you can get it right...

This is what I came up with. Not perfect... But It'll give you an idea...

PS - I think the skin tones are "pink" because of the white balance and the hue of the background... But maybe I'm wrong...

 

[Kayp11]

I was gonna say, a black background would probably look best.

 

[jeeves]

Edit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephaniegorman/6310876798/
lancaricEdit by gormanimagery, on Flickr

That's better. Well done.

 

[HeyMeester]

Maybe it's just me, but I feel like the kids head is being squeezed by the mom and dad's heads. Like she was just thrown in there at the last second.
If there was a little seperation between them it wouldn't look so squeezed. Cute shot!