| Author | Thread |
|
|
07/18/2005 05:47:07 PM · #151 |
Originally posted by sher9204:
debi: i used the regular Sharpen in PS...Filter>Sharpen>Sharpen. this can sometimes make things a bit too sharp. if it's too sharp, then i use Edit>Fade Sharpen. this brings up a slider control that allows you to fade back the amount of sharpening. |
Shar -- I've used the fade quite often but never on with the Sharpen tool. In fact I almost never use the Sharpen tool . I guess my next questions is why not use the Unsharpen Mask where you have control over the amount sharpened? What's the trade offs? Advantages? Disadvantages? Thanks for all the help!
Debi
|
|
|
|
07/18/2005 09:27:19 PM · #152 |
Originally posted by debitipton:
Originally posted by sher9204:
debi: i used the regular Sharpen in PS...Filter>Sharpen>Sharpen. this can sometimes make things a bit too sharp. if it's too sharp, then i use Edit>Fade Sharpen. this brings up a slider control that allows you to fade back the amount of sharpening. |
Shar -- I've used the fade quite often but never on with the Sharpen tool. In fact I almost never use the Sharpen tool . I guess my next questions is why not use the Unsharpen Mask where you have control over the amount sharpened? What's the trade offs? Advantages? Disadvantages? Thanks for all the help!
Debi |
Somewhere in this thread is my short write up on sharpening (and contrast). I've outlined quite a few different methods of sharpening. My point being, there is no one *true* way of sharpening, and everyone will have their preferred methods. However, it never hurts to experiment with new ones, or combine a few, or try different methods for different styles of photos, and find out what works best for every situation. So.. to answer your questions.. USM does give you much more control over sharpening.. but sometimes the sharpen tool is really all you need. The trade-offs being that one method may be great for one shot, but will work horribly on another. The advantages of USM over Sharpen or vice versa really depend on the individual and the individual photograph.. likewise with disadvantages.
Experimentation is key.. like most things in life, it's disadvantageous to become too dependant on any one single method.
|
|
|
|
07/18/2005 09:49:31 PM · #153 |
ok...now that the family challenge is over i would like to know what the group and the mentors think of this photo and how i could make it better. I am pleased with my placement and my score i just think it might be lacking something that my commenters didnt suggest.
|
|
|
|
07/18/2005 10:31:42 PM · #154 |
Hey hey, boys & girls. I FINALLY got a shot. Sorry its taken so long and its seriously more candid than portrait. Don't know what you can do with it as there is almost 0 composition put into the shot but thems some of the breaks with a two-year old.
Original and Edited
 
Kev
|
|
|
|
07/18/2005 10:48:23 PM · #155 |
Originally posted by smilebig4me1x:
|
Cher,
I like this. The main action is centered but its comprised of separate elements that are, individually, not centered. It has an off-balance feeling that leads the viewer to the spot of the kiss via lines (necklines, profiles) and lighting. Creative composition. There are a few technical aspects that may contribute or detract depending on how your viewers notice them consciously or respond to them subconsciously. The subject on the left (I think these are your daughters but I missed the boat with Jen so I'll be less specific on relations), extends beyond the plane of focus. Her hair on the far left of the image begins to fall out of focus (coming towards the viewer). You got some great lighting which allowed you to distinguish your subjects from their surroundings and yet keep them well-lit. I like the light on the hair for both subjects but due to the darker band around the forehead of the leftmost subject, you might have given her more impact than she has if you'd gotten just a little more light on the dark band. I like that the leftmost subject extends beyond the border of the shot; it helps me infer that the message is larger than you could easily frame - you could use this as a trick to lead the viewer to a conclusion about the kiss/relationship/joy that you saw and captured. The larger area for the rightmost subject diminishes this effect slightly. If you were to recrop this, though, you'd have to be careful because its the strength of the negative space which helps give the subjects and the kiss their impact. I'm not saying you should recrop it but that you might want to play with it to try and generate the same feeling of "LARGER THAN LIFE" that I perceive with the lefthand subject.
Great idea and good capture.
Kev
|
|
|
|
07/18/2005 10:52:29 PM · #156 |
Originally posted by Artyste:
Alright, I got around to it tonight after all:
 
Since I got a good shot this weekend, I went with it. When we start doing more advanced editing, I'll work up the photos of Breeanna as a tutorial of sorts.
On with Assignment #2! :) |
Cute shot. I think you might have taken just a little too much color out of her skin, though. Great grin and eyes. |
|
|
|
07/18/2005 10:54:39 PM · #157 |
I really like the final edit on this one alot. Great interesting lighting and your version livens up the pic with nice contrast and sharpness that was missing from the earlier versions. |
|
|
|
07/18/2005 10:56:06 PM · #158 |
Nice expression on this little gal! I think in the final edited version maybe slightly desaturating that green background would look more natural? Since this is a discussion forum, what do you think? |
|
|
|
07/18/2005 11:18:23 PM · #159 |
I thought this one to be the most challenging original, so I took a crack at it. I thought one of the things it needed was better toning for the skin.
 |
|
|
|
07/18/2005 11:21:09 PM · #160 |
Originally posted by jpochard:
Nice expression on this little gal! I think in the final edited version maybe slightly desaturating that green background would look more natural? Since this is a discussion forum, what do you think? |
desat and made a bit darker in general i think.
|
|
|
|
07/18/2005 11:23:51 PM · #161 |
Originally posted by jpochard:
|
You don't know how much it's killing me that I messed this one up so bad. The more I look at that expression, the more depressed I get. :-) The skin tones do look a little better on that one Judy. Thanks for taking a stab at it, unfortunately I think it's beyond repair. But that's why I'm here, to stop tragic events like this from happening again. :-D
Message edited by author 2005-07-19 13:20:09.
|
|
|
|
07/18/2005 11:30:26 PM · #162 |
Here's my stab at another one:
 |
|
|
|
07/19/2005 12:04:50 AM · #163 |
Originally posted by jpochard:
Originally posted by Artyste:
Alright, I got around to it tonight after all:
Since I got a good shot this weekend, I went with it. When we start doing more advanced editing, I'll work up the photos of Breeanna as a tutorial of sorts.
On with Assignment #2! :) |
Cute shot. I think you might have taken just a little too much color out of her skin, though. Great grin and eyes. |
More like this maybe?  |
|
|
|
07/19/2005 12:17:28 AM · #164 |
Originally posted by smilebig4me1x:
ok...now that the family challenge is over i would like to know what the group and the mentors think of this photo and how i could make it better. I am pleased with my placement and my score i just think it might be lacking something that my commenters didnt suggest.
|
I really like this shot. I don't know what I would do different except slightly lighter and cropped closer. Not sure until I see it if it would really help. great shot to me. congrats on the high placement.
brian |
|
|
|
07/19/2005 12:38:51 AM · #165 |
Just wanted to bring this out for comments before we move on. I don't think they are being seen in my portfolio.
 (out of camera)  edited
am I on track here or should I make some changes? thanks.
brian |
|
|
|
07/19/2005 01:02:07 AM · #166 |
jpochard, You're right, I did take a little too much color out of the skin.. (on purpose), as that's my current editing style. (You'll notice I did it on my recent "Family" challenge entry as well). However, were I doing these up for parents, I'd definitely have left more color in. Thanks for noticing. It's definitely a personal thing.. for some reason I just love the slightly desaturated look.
One thing though.. I don't know what you did with her eyes (just dodging?), but they look very unnatural though, so maybe I'll just stick with putting the skin color back in ;)
Message edited by author 2005-07-19 01:04:38.
|
|
|
|
07/19/2005 01:22:58 AM · #167 |
| Any comments on the two portraits I posted in the thread? One was the original and edited versions and the other was the fully edited bridal portrait. I'd appreciate some feedback. :) |
|
|
|
07/19/2005 01:33:38 AM · #168 |
sorry, I completely missed your original post. Left a comment. Left a small comment on the bridal portrait as well.
|
|
|
|
07/19/2005 01:11:13 PM · #169 |
A small announcement for now. This thread is beginning to become a little hard to follow and bloated. Just a reminder that when replying, please only include either the person's name that you are replying to, or just a sentence or two of their original post, not the entire post. This will cut down on bloating. Also, I'd like to say that although we appreciate the level of enthusiasm, we'd like it if maybe people would concentrate on their own photographs for now, and hold off on the editing of others'. Sher and I may do this once in awhile as a teaching tool, but the main purpose of this thread is to learn how to take better portraitures for yourself. Please keep this in mind. If we allow rampant editing of others' works, we're in for a real chaos problem. However, commenting on others' work with suggestions and tips on how to accomplish those suggestions is very much encouraged!
Thank you for understanding.
|
|
|
|
07/19/2005 04:41:59 PM · #170 |
Originally posted by Artyste:
However, commenting on others' work with suggestions and tips on how to accomplish those suggestions is very much encouraged! Thank you for understanding. |
No problems -- Could you please tell us everyone that is currently involved in this group? I know there was some mention of someone dropping out and we've added a few. I'd like to go through and look at everyone's portfolio and get to know them better. Thanks -- Debi |
|
|
|
07/19/2005 04:55:11 PM · #171 |
Our current "student list" is as follows:
jenesis
stdavidson
debitipton
smilebig4me1x
briantammy
SandyP
dahkota
cowboy
harabanar
KevinRiggs
vfwlkr
jpochard
|
|
|
|
07/20/2005 07:01:34 PM · #172 |
Originally posted by Artyste:
Our current "student list" is as follows:
jenesis
stdavidson
debitipton
smilebig4me1x
briantammy
SandyP
dahkota
cowboy
harabanar
KevinRiggs
vfwlkr
jpochard |
irishempress has also just joined our ranks. |
|
|
|
07/20/2005 07:13:58 PM · #173 |
Arty and I want to thank everyone for all their
wonderful enthusiasm and your willingness
to offer comments and suggestions. This is a great
group!
We've touched a bit on lighting and post-processing
but I think we should do some work on
composition. I've put together a list of several
sites where you can view the galleries and get some
ideas
about posing, lighting and composition. Take time to
browse these sites and gather information that you can
use along with what you already know.
Also, I've included a site that has lessons for all
sorts of different photo shoots from product
photography
to portraits and weddings. They have several free
lessons as well as very inexpensive lessons to
purchase.
Galleries:
Gallery 1
Gallery 2
Gallery 3
Gallery 4
Gallery 5
Lessons:
Web Photo School
ASSIGNMENT #2
For this assignment, let's try to get portraits that
are a bit more "posed". Study the galleries above or
of your favorite portrait photographer and use that
info to pose your subject(s) paying particular
attention to composition. Remember the rule of thirds
to make an exciting composition and pay attention to
your backgrounds.
Post your un-edited photo (resize only, no cropping)
by Sunday night then we'll discuss the best method
of post-processing and find the look you're trying to achieve.
If you have any questions, please PM Arty or me and we'll be happy to help.
Have fun! :)
Message edited by author 2005-07-20 19:15:09. |
|
|
|
07/20/2005 09:42:03 PM · #174 |
Can I make a quick comment?
I like the examples in all of the above sites ... except #3. On that site, at least 6 out of 12 pictures have the subject's head right smack in the center of the photo (or very close to it). It's like the photographer was using his center focus point on the subject's face to get the focus, and then forgot to recompose (or crop after the fact).
Now, I'm not claiming to be the expert .. it just seems like these photos are compositionaly challenged.
|
|
|
|
07/21/2005 12:12:31 AM · #175 |
Originally posted by dwterry:
Can I make a quick comment?
I like the examples in all of the above sites ... except #3. On that site, at least 6 out of 12 pictures have the subject's head right smack in the center of the photo (or very close to it). It's like the photographer was using his center focus point on the subject's face to get the focus, and then forgot to recompose (or crop after the fact).
Now, I'm not claiming to be the expert .. it just seems like these photos are compositionaly challenged. |
The Rule of thirds isn't exactly a *rule*, and many people (especially people that aren't photographers/artists/whatever), like the subject to be more centered in the photo when they get portraits done for themselves or family. This comes down to a matter of personal choice. The links are all given to show a wide variety of different portraiture styles, so if you find some you don't particularily like, good.. it shows you know what you're looking for.
Don't worry about something that you find to be "challenged" or whatever, just focus on what you like and learn from those. Thank you for bringing it up though, it *is* a valid point. Never be afraid to voice the things you don't like too!
|
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 07/27/2025 03:51:19 PM EDT.
