Siamese Kitty pic- trash or salvagable?

BlackDog · Mar 16, 2011

I love the idea of this pic and would think it would be good if I could lighten up the backside of her neck and maybe overall sharpen a bit but I am a total photoshop noob. I googled dodging/burning but don't like anything I have done. Is it worth it to keep trying or should I just toss it and try to re-shoot again?

Photo was taken with one strobe thru a white umbrella directly over the cat's head.
f/13 1/80sec SOOC

Thanks for any help and/or advice. I have thick skin and won't be offended!

Jen

reznap · Mar 16, 2011

I think it's a good shot. I decided to play with it..

480sparky · Mar 16, 2011

Like this?

480sparky · Mar 16, 2011

As for 'sharpening', are you looking for more DOF? That's really hard to do PP.

PASM · Mar 16, 2011

I'd keep it. I like it. Use it for practising your dodging and sharpening

Or try the 30 day trial of Topaz Lab's Detail plug-in for CS. Some of the presets are amazing.

BlackDog · Mar 16, 2011

Good to know it's not trash!

Reznap- I like the sharpness and the light. What did you do?

480Sparky- That is what I was looking to do but mine always came out spotty. How did you do that?

PASM- I will give will try topaz. Can hurt can it?

Thanks for the help!!

reznap · Mar 16, 2011

BlackDog said:
Reznap- I like the sharpness and the light. What did you do?

A curves adjustment layer to increase midtone contrast & unsharp mask.

JasonLambert · Mar 16, 2011

Thought I would also play.

480sparky · Mar 16, 2011

BlackDog said:
....................480Sparky- That is what I was looking to do but mine always came out spotty. How did you do that?.........

I selected (Fuzzy Select, Feather edges) the dark area, than used the largest brush possible to 'dodge' that area at 20%. BTW, I use Gimp 2.6.

PASM · Mar 16, 2011

Not as far as I know

Guess you have to tick the T&C box like anything else in this life

I tried Topaz's Detail and Adjust plug-ins for CS3 on a trial and thought they were very good. Especially the 'Portrait Drama' preset (in Detail).

Derrel · Mar 16, 2011

reznap said:
I think it's a good shot. I decided to play with it..

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!! Looks like you really worked hard on that!!! I like it this way.

BlackDog · Mar 17, 2011

Thanks all, you are great! I am a little partial to the original orientation because I intended to call the print "Star Gazing" but I like the side orientation too. Especially Jason's take on it. Here is another one from the same session. I like it but wish there was more of her head and ears in the frame.