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02/07/2006 04:17:38 PM · #1 |
I'm trying to setup a home studio on the cheap, and also gain some portrait knowledge. I would appreciate some honest (brutally) comments on this image. It has been doctored in PS, obviously. I'm also trying to learn what to do (and better what NOT to OVERDO) in PS while I'm at it.
Original:
Final:
Thanks in advance for any pointers, help, criticism and/or (god forbid) compliments you can give.
Tim
EDIT: Ok, I have incorporated a few suggestions and posted a new version: 
Of course, can't do anything about the background this go round.
Message edited by author 2006-02-07 16:50:20. |
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02/07/2006 04:23:56 PM · #2 |
Hi while the original looks ok the "final" one look too blurred while the eyes are too sharp so it doesn't look right.. so try on the original one dropping the colour and increase the contrast
Message edited by author 2006-02-07 16:25:47. |
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02/07/2006 04:24:44 PM · #3 |
| The background is blurred out well in the B/W image. Did you convert it using the channel mixer? I find there is a touch too much red channel in the final B/W image, I would have brought in more of the blue channel. |
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02/07/2006 04:25:14 PM · #4 |
I am no expert, but here are my impressions
I don't like the backdrop. The focus is suppose to be on the people, and the backdrop I find distracting
I find the overall final picture to soft. I'm not sure what you did, but you seemt o have erased it around the eyes, which is good. Don't forget the nostrils and especially the mouth and teeth.
The younger girls shirt is cutting across her chin, which doesn't really add anything to the picture.
I would also consider cloning out the light reflections in their eyes, or at least one of them.
While I am a big fan of B&W, they both have such beautiful eyes I would consider working more on the colour version of this one.
That being said, you've captured the expressions quite nicely. Keep up the good work!
As I said, I'm not expert, and these are just my peronal opinions on the picture
Cheers
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02/07/2006 04:31:00 PM · #5 |
I think your final is overprocessed. When adding a soft blur -(IMO) - the eyes are not the only thing you want in focus. You should apply the blur only to skin surface, keeping in sharp focus the hair, lips, teeth, clothes, etc. It makes the portrait look much more natural and less processed (even if its rather heavily processed). I do like the expressions and the lighting looks nice. I don't, however, like the very very busy back drop, I think something more simple (solid color) would work better for a portrait with more than one person in it.
I hope that helps. |
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02/07/2006 04:31:52 PM · #6 |
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02/07/2006 04:35:52 PM · #7 |
Wow. That was fast! Thanks for the comments so far.
I intentionally blurred everything but the eyes, and perhaps I over did it. (see, I'm learning) The backdrop is, well, a bad choice. I have a few others now (thanks to the local fabric store. can't afford a real one yet).
I actually DID get rid of the second catchlight, but apparently turned that layer off before I saved the image in PS! Oops.
I used two hue/saturation layers to go to b/w. One to desaturate, and a second to adjust the hue (in color blend mode).
I'm tryin. Expect to hear more from me as I try out my home made studio. built the lights and stands myself (in my case, money IS an object and it helps that I do woodworking too) and used 500w ETC bulbs with home made softboxes. Everything was WAY too bright until it dawned on me to add dimmers to the stands.
Anyway, I'm boring everyone now. Just keep up the comments and thanks again!
Tim |
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