How'd I do? (honestly) - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

01/08/2008 04:33:36 PM · #1

A snapshot as she sat in the playground.

Okay, I am HOPELESS with Photoshop. Pretty much all I can do I've learned by trial and error, because I just can't seem to remember from one use to the next most of the proper techniques. So I experimented.... various layers, brushes, etc. etc.

Part of me really likes the result and part (the part that saw the original, I guess) finds it wayyyyyyy overdone. (Beck liked it.) So I'd like some honest opinions from folks who haven't seen what I started with. (I'll post the original if necessary, after a bit).

I'd also appreciate any suggestions and quick tips on achieving what took me a couple hours to do :)

PhotoDave

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

01/08/2008 04:53:35 PM · #2

comment left :)

bfox2

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/08/2008 05:22:34 PM · #3

I think the orange is a bit too bright on the left side, it really steals the eye.

MikeO

Fujifilm x100

01/08/2008 05:33:13 PM · #4

I think it might help with a tighter crop, maybe a bit too much material showing? I like the softness and the colours look good.

signal2noise

Leica M9

Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux M MF - Chrome

01/08/2008 05:43:47 PM · #5

I left a comment on your image. I like what you have done with this.

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

01/08/2008 06:03:30 PM · #6

Thanks guys. This is exactly the kind of feedback I need, not just "nice" :)

The crop and the light on the orange were both things I wasn't sure about. I cropped, uncropped, re-cropped, changed crop and finally gave up! :)

-Tommy, how, specifically, did you do they eyes? Mask then levels or a different way?
See, these are the little tricks I need to learn. I sometimes know WHAT needs doing,
just not HOW. (Though her irises really ARE that dark a brown)

Yes, it was cold and her cheeks and nose were rosy. I tried to fix that but couldn't get it looking right. Again, how would I go about it? :)

-Tim, I agree! But when I showed it to Beck she liked it, so I thought maybe it was just me, hence my posting to ask :D

Here's the original;

Lotsa freckles, etc!

Anything further would be GREATLY appreciated :D

Message edited by author 2008-01-08 18:04:12.

amandalore

Canon EOS-40D

01/08/2008 07:53:29 PM · #7

comment left

01/08/2008 08:47:56 PM · #8

Thanks, Amanda and Sam :)

Okay, taking everyone's advice, I'll try again tonight and see what I can come up with.

And everyone was so NICE! If you have something not-so-nice, I'm willing to hear that too :D

Eta; I think I've finally figured out part of the problem. I was trying for that soft look and went too far with "surface blur" et al on the main shot before adding the "softness" layer, which meant it was weak. Right?

Message edited by author 2008-01-08 20:51:57.