Postprocessing on Portraits

[lennon33x]

I'm doing a couple of portraits for my portfolio and my job (they use the P&S with heavy flash for their website currently, so it was a great opportunity to add to my portfolio). I'm having an issue with the background on one of the images. The muslin was wrinkled, and has a purple shade to it. I got rid of the purple, but when I tried to get rid of the wrinkles, I lose the ability to get my subject to "pop". Any ideas on how to edit this?

I used a Guassian blur on one layer, but I feel like I lose the subject in the background.

Here is the link:

Zenfolio | ORE Photography | Dr. Headshots

Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[Gavjenks]

Clone stamp (being careful to sample from equal lightness areas) individual wrinkles out? I'm not sure this is super necessary, though, they look decent as is. You could also select the backgroudn and lower the contrast, making it not any blurrier but harder to notice the wrinkles.

Next time, I suggest a spray bottle to de-wrinkle on site efficiently. And ideally a hem in the bottom of the sheet so that you can weight it down with a dowel rod or something to help pull the wrinkles when wet.

 

[tirediron]

...Next time, I suggest a spray bottle to de-wrinkle on site efficiently. And ideally a hem in the bottom of the sheet so that you can weight it down with a dowel rod or something to help pull the wrinkles when wet.

Better still...

 

[tirediron]

First and foremost, you need to be working with layers. Start by duplicating the background layer. From there, select the background, elevate to a new layer (being mindful of the hair) and then deal with the background issues. I would use a combination of careful application of the spot healing tool with a large brush, clone stamp, exposure reduction and light Gaussian blur.

 

[Gavjenks]

Steaming is okay. I am not a huge fan though. It works more thoroughly, but also takes a lot longer and requires a power outlet.
Note I'm not a big fan of pattern printed backgrounds, though, so I can just blur remaining tiny wrinkles out. If you are using a patterned background, then steam is probably a better choice.

 

[lennon33x]

First and foremost, you need to be working with layers. Start by duplicating the background layer. From there, select the background, elevate to a new layer (being mindful of the hair) and then deal with the background issues. I would use a combination of careful application of the spot healing tool with a large brush, clone stamp, exposure reduction and light Gaussian blur.

I am working with layers. I actually think there are about 20 layers on this image. My main issue is that there seems to be a "halo" around her, and that I can't get her to stand out more from the background. It may also be me, mainly because I worked with this image for a while, and I can nitpick every little detail.

 

[tirediron]

...My main issue is that there seems to be a "halo" around her, and that I can't get her to stand out more from the background. It may also be me, mainly because I worked with this image for a while, and I can nitpick every little detail.

Okay, so you're working with the background as it's own layer. How are you selecting the background/subject? If you head over to YouTube, you'll find lots of tutorials on selections and masking, and if you're using CS5 or later, "Refine edge" is your friend!

 

[Designer]

My main issue is that there seems to be a "halo" around her, and that I can't get her to stand out more from the background.

Place your subjects farther away from the backdrop. Then you won't have to go through such gyrations in post.

 

[lennon33x]

I'm creating a new layer, then applying the effect. Adding a masking layer and then selecting either white or black with the brush, and then brushing on/off the effect.

 

[lennon33x]

My main issue is that there seems to be a "halo" around her, and that I can't get her to stand out more from the background.

Place your subjects farther away from the backdrop. Then you won't have to go through such gyrations in post.

I had to this at work, and was limited on space. I would have loved to have had more room - I was just limited on space.

 

[Braineack]

I'd be using the clone and healing brushes here. Ezpz fix. But taking a better photo in the first place (e.g., move them further from bg) would do wonders.

 

[lennon33x]

I guess more or less, what can I do on the edge, or lighting to the backdrop to make the subject pop? Contrast?

 

[tirediron]

I'm creating a new layer, then applying the effect. Adding a masking layer and then selecting either white or black with the brush, and then brushing on/off the effect.

I'm going to guess that your issues result from your selection process - read up on 'Refind edge'. Once you get the subject properly isolated from the background, this will become easy.

 

[Braineack]

what's causing the halo around the women's portrait? can you outline the lighting setup and what other equipment you might have at disposal?

 

[lennon33x]

what's causing the halo around the women's portrait? can you outline the lighting setup and what other equipment you might have at disposal?

It looks like my layer mask opacity is not correct that's causing the halo. It's an editing issue.

Canon 5D with 85mm. ISO 50, ss 200 at f/9. 24x36 SB 45 degrees camera right (key), 24x36 SB 10 degree camera left. Speedlight with GOBO at 1/64 power behind subject