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09/10/2008 08:32:09 PM · #1 |
I got a nice email from  Bergiekat asking me why I happened upon using a B&W adjustment layer. I sent her an email answering the question but figured it might be of interest to others as well. The main reason I offer this is I'm not a "'shopper" per se... I rarely stray from basic rules other than a slight addiction to blending modes in advanced, and a few nifty Lightroom presets I've been using lately. I admire the many folks here who can "see" the possibilities of post processing - they always seem to know what they're trying to get out of a picture and how to do it. Me, I just play a bit, and usually not a whole lot.
At any rate, here's what I told Kat:
I tend to prefer things in B&W in many cases, so a lot of times when playing with a picture, I'll add a B&W layer to see if I like it that way. One day I decided to fade the B&W layer (lower the opacity of it). It's almost a partial desat kinda thing, but a little crisper with more contrast to my eye. So I do that on occasion with stuff.
With this particular doll (and I'll post another shot in my portfolio in a bit), I'd done a creepy version (heh) and had used the B&W layer set to the blue filter (it's a preset in CS3's B&W conversion tool) which really brought out the eyes well. So I went back to my probable challenge entry and added that B&W layer and reduced it and really liked it.
Most of the time I never really know what to try or why to try something. I'll just play most times. I did get LightRoom and there are some cool presets that do some editing - many are not basic-legal so I have to watch those - but they do give me ideas of things to try.
Here are some of the editions of the shot which led to the one I entered. And while I'm here, I really, really appreciate all the comments!!!
The original, resized:  The first edit: 
The creepy shot:  The final edit: 
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09/10/2008 08:35:32 PM · #2 |
*singing*
There's a creepy doll, that always follows you
It has a ruined eye, that's always.. open.
There's a creepy doll, that always follows you
It has a pretty mouth, to swallow.. you whole |
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09/10/2008 08:37:24 PM · #3 |
It's ALWAYS interesting to me to see how other folks come to their entry. Thanks for this, Deb.
Your entry is well-deserving of the Blue. |
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09/10/2008 08:39:42 PM · #4 |
| Thanks for sharing this--I'll have to give it a try! What a difference it made in your shot. |
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09/10/2008 08:40:10 PM · #5 |
Dig the creepy version too!
Wonderful how simple edits can make a world of difference. Thanks for showing us how you did it! |
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09/10/2008 09:42:12 PM · #6 |
| what a great tip ... I'm gonna have to try it someday. Thanks for giving us such a detailed description also! |
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09/10/2008 09:49:25 PM · #7 |
My day is so much brighter due to this extraordinary image..... Thank you for sharing how this was done..... I just love those eyes.....
Message edited by author 2008-09-10 21:50:16. |
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09/11/2008 06:57:15 AM · #8 |
Fantastic image, I would like to add to the “thanks for sharing with us” crowd. At ISO1600 did you run into much noise, because I don’t notice anything that would indicate a noise removing software (but then again I really suck at applying Noise Ninja). Anyway I’m going to give this a shot to see what it will do, so don’t be surprised to see a email with HELP in the title.
BTW. The image you call creepy, doesn’t seem creepy to me at all. Instead it speaks volumes of a sadness and loneliness that can only be felt late at night staring at the moon, accompanied with a small voice saying “why me”.. |
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09/11/2008 10:19:08 AM · #9 |
Alan, yes I did run Neat Image. I'm not a pro at using the stuff, so I pick an area of noise and let it "evaluate" that, then do a very basic application at a bit lower than what it sets the defaults. If it comes out too plasticky (I actually prefer noise to oversmooth), I reduce the opacity a bit or try again with different settings.
I'm pleased the "creepy" version gives you a different impression. To me that's way better than a ribbon or high score - to see what others "see" in something I've shot, so thanks for that. |
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09/11/2008 10:36:14 AM · #10 |
| Thanks for those details of your PP. I've been playing with blending layers and trying some techniques that others have used. That gives me something else to experiment with. |
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09/11/2008 10:41:15 AM · #11 |
| Just remember that in basic editing you can vary the opacity of an adjustment layer, but can't use duplicate layers or change the blending mode. |
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09/11/2008 11:01:39 AM · #12 |
Nice work Deb and congrats on your new PB
I can't wait to tell you guys how I did my product shot. It won't be a PB or even a ribbon, but it was realy interesting.
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