New to the whole PS Thingy - DPChallenge Forums

06/26/2007 09:57:18 AM · #1

So here's the deal. I've never been much for Photoshop, but with my first real gigs on the way I thouhg it might be an Idea to hone some skills in the program. so here are some pics from a recent shoot I did:

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Original

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Looking for some good comments

Thanks

06/26/2007 10:05:24 AM · #2

Add these to my list for critique,

Message edited by author 2007-06-26 10:05:40.

06/26/2007 10:49:46 AM · #3

one more :)

06/26/2007 11:37:20 AM · #4

or maybe they're all so good no one can think of anything to say??? why... or maybe they're so bad no one want to hurt my feelings... that sounds more likely...:)

06/26/2007 12:03:12 PM · #5

Hey Michael :-)
Are you looking for brutally critical honest opinions, or the 'Uncle gene- oh those are awesome, you're such a great photographer' versions?
In other words, it would help to know where you fall on the 'How thick is my skin scale' :-)

06/26/2007 12:05:05 PM · #6

Originally posted by taterbug:

Cant get better if people are not honest about my stuff... of course with that in mind I know the editing isn't super, but what about the general photography?

fotomann_forever

06/26/2007 12:08:36 PM · #7

I'm gonna be brutally honest. Most of the PSing is WAY overdone. It's in-your-face obvious. Good PS work should be at least superficially transparent to the casual viewer. One big eye catcher is when there is a halo between the subject and his/her surroundings. That screams PS'd.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED

06/26/2007 12:13:01 PM · #8

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

First runs are for screaming :) of course I worked on copies of the pics so no harm to the originals (and the couple will never see these ones anyway :)

rugman1969

Nikon D90

06/26/2007 12:21:00 PM · #9

try this link for suggestions:
//www.dpchallenge.com/tutorial.php?TUTORIAL_ID=26

06/26/2007 12:31:04 PM · #10

that tutorial was on editing for submission to challenges, I'm not planning on subbmitting any of these, just practicing

06/26/2007 12:57:21 PM · #11

left some comments for you man. :-) hope you don't find I was too hard on you :-) You've got a good eye for shots, and good grasp on posing the subjects. As far as ps'ing, my opinion is it is a must to at least have a solid handle on basics, you can do a lot to enhance your photos and make them perfect, but you still have to start with good photos. You got to have good lighting, focus, nail the exposure, good composition, etc. to work with. Practice, practice, practice, there are some real photoshop 'gurus' on the site, but I know none of them were doing awesome editing their first day :-)

06/26/2007 01:05:42 PM · #12

Originally posted by taterbug:

Thanks for the comments! I've read them all and you were my no means too hard! Thanks again!

I'll probably try a new batch tonight when I get home from my regular dull pedantic job...

note to self... less heavy handed ps'ing

fotomann_forever

06/26/2007 01:09:09 PM · #13

Originally posted by taterbug:

but I know none of them were doing awesome editing their first day :-)

Very true... excepts for Art... it's a curse with him.

fotomann_forever

06/26/2007 01:11:01 PM · #14

Originally posted by cudjoem:

note to self... less heavy handed ps'ing

There ya go. That's the biggest thing to learn. Once you get that down, you're home free.

06/26/2007 01:13:07 PM · #15

hehe, yeah, I heard Art was born with a graphics tablet in his hands!

which is really extraordinally amazing, considering I don't think they had been invented yet!
:-P

06/26/2007 03:29:46 PM · #16

Originally posted by taterbug:

hehe, yeah, I heard Art was born with a graphics tablet in his hands!

which is really extraordinally amazing, considering I don't think they had been invented yet!
:-P

you sure he didn't invent them???

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

06/27/2007 10:04:37 AM · #17

OK I'v done some new work and re edits

Original

First edit

second edit

Original

Edit

Original

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The part I'm having the most problems with is the girl... in ral life she's almost as pink as her dress, combined with her red hair she's a challenge (at least to me... I'm sure to the rest of you this is elementry).

PS I tried to be less heavy handed

pamelasue

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/27/2007 10:11:42 AM · #18

all of your edits seem way too dark on my monitor ... have you tried adjusting your brightness/contrast on your monitor?

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

06/27/2007 10:26:11 AM · #19

Originally posted by pamelasue:

all of your edits seem way too dark on my monitor ... have you tried adjusting your brightness/contrast on your monitor?

Actually they turn up fine on both my home, laptop, and work monitors... granted no harm in checking anyway, though the ultimate goal for these pictures is print not for web

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/27/2007 10:37:22 AM · #20

[quote]Actually they turn up fine on both my home, laptop, and work monitors... granted no harm in checking anyway, though the ultimate goal for these pictures is print not for web [/quote]

I tend to agree many seem a little dark, I have to believe if they are dark on a calibrated (profiled) monitor then they are going to print dark as well.

Anyways
With Wedding shoots and the likes don't be afraid to use a Gaussian blur layer to smooth out the skin a bit and add a little mood to the shot. A little noise reduction will further soften some of the spots as well.

ED: Watch your crops when doing wedding/event stuff as well. I know these you posted are just practice for you but many could be cropped a lot closer in. A few full length shots to capture surroundings is good, but on the close ins get close in... Weddings are about people and emotion...get up close and personal.

Looks like this was a fun one to shoot for ya.

Message edited by author 2007-06-27 10:45:23.

06/27/2007 10:42:57 AM · #21

what would you doo with her skin tone? especially in some of the other shots?

06/27/2007 11:07:20 AM · #22

i'm sure this may be somehwere else too.. but can you point me in the direction of info about calibrating my monitors.

06/27/2007 12:22:40 PM · #23

help? comments?

06/27/2007 01:11:56 PM · #24

bump