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DPChallenge Forums >> Individual Photograph Discussion >> PS Guru's... I need your help!
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 05/05/2006 10:10:53 PM · #1
I have three images that I really need to know how to improve. Any help would be appreciated. I have PS7. I'd like to make prints of these for my cousin (prom pictures) and I'd like some "pop" (like only you guys know how to do). Thanks in advance for any help!


05/05/2006 10:12:21 PM · #2
I can see what I can do with these, do you by chance have any full size versions you can send me?
 05/05/2006 10:14:04 PM · #3
Yes, do you want me to send via email?
 05/05/2006 10:14:46 PM · #4
That would be great, I'm pretty sure my email is in my profile.
 05/05/2006 10:14:57 PM · #5
The second one seems the best re: skin tones and colour.

The third one I think is the best portrait however it seems slightly overexposed.

Something to try to darken the highlights:

ctrl-alt-~ to select the highlights
ctrl-j - to put the selection in a new layer with a mask
blend with multiply
adjust the opacity to get the desired results
 05/05/2006 10:33:18 PM · #6
Looking at the first one it appears that it just needs "standard" post processing adjustments. But that does not help you if you don't know what those are.

What you really need more than us suggesting changes or doing the actual changes for you is a better understanding of color correction from a "real" guru.

I have suggested this before and probably will suggest it again, but study a 57 minute video about the "5 essential adjustment layers" at the Radiant Vista website. Just be advised the video is a large file to download:

Look for "A Photoshop Reference: Essential Adjustment Layers" at bottom of this page.

It is likely you will learn faster and more about color correction and post processing than from any other single online source. Even if you are not a photoshop user you will learn the fundamentals of image post processing that can be applied anywhere.

Message edited by author 2006-05-05 22:38:39.
 05/05/2006 10:48:03 PM · #7
Thanks Steve. I've added that to my fav's so I can watch them in the morning. I haven't seen this before and I'm sure it will help.
 05/05/2006 11:13:18 PM · #8
Shot three... I think I would go with a different crop, there is just too much background to look at IMO.



-Steps-
4x6 crop
USM
Cloned out reflections in eyeglasses
Burned some of the dark areas of her hair (part area)

I use MS Digital Image Pro so my steps are a bit different than PS7 but it kind of translates to:

I used a Gaussian blur layer to soften and boosted saturation of that layer to bring some tones back.

Then used a Burn layer to darken the background and bring down some of the hot spots.

Message edited by author 2006-05-05 23:15:42.
 05/05/2006 11:18:25 PM · #9
That looks great! When you use USM, what settings do you generally use? I've tried using it and it never looks any different to me.

Originally posted by awpollard:
Shot three... I think I would go with a different crop, there is just too much background to look at IMO.



-Steps-
4x6 crop
USM
Cloned out reflections in eyeglasses
Burned some of the dark areas of her hair (part area)

I use MS Digital Image Pro so my steps are a bit different than PS7 but it kind of translates to:

I used a Gaussian blur layer to soften and boosted saturation of that layer to bring some tones back.

Then used a Burn layer to darken the background and bring down some of the hot spots.
05/05/2006 11:24:51 PM · #10
Wish I could give this a quick go but I'm out of town on a friends computer without photoshop. Maybe on Monday but that might be too late. One thing I would try is some off center crops. Just a small suggestion but I agree with everything stdavidson had to say. Good luck.

Message edited by author 2006-05-05 23:25:17.
 05/05/2006 11:27:35 PM · #11
kdsprog -

Sent you a PM with some detailed instructions that might help you out. Let me know if they are successful.
 05/05/2006 11:31:02 PM · #12
On this shot (which was resized for web) it ended up at 65% with a .8 radius (0 threshold) - on the full size your settings would most likely be different.

Originally posted by kdsprog:
That looks great! When you use USM, what settings do you generally use? I've tried using it and it never looks any different to me.

Originally posted by awpollard:
Shot three... I think I would go with a different crop, there is just too much background to look at IMO.



-Steps-
4x6 crop
USM
Cloned out reflections in eyeglasses
Burned some of the dark areas of her hair (part area)

I use MS Digital Image Pro so my steps are a bit different than PS7 but it kind of translates to:

I used a Gaussian blur layer to soften and boosted saturation of that layer to bring some tones back.

Then used a Burn layer to darken the background and bring down some of the hot spots.


Message edited by author 2006-05-05 23:31:29.
 05/06/2006 12:22:24 AM · #13
Originally posted by stdavidson:
I have suggested this before and probably will suggest it again, but study a 57 minute video about the "5 essential adjustment layers" at the Radiant Vista website. Just be advised the video is a large file to download:

Look for "A Photoshop Reference: Essential Adjustment Layers" at bottom of this page.

It is likely you will learn faster and more about color correction and post processing than from any other single online source. Even if you are not a photoshop user you will learn the fundamentals of image post processing that can be applied anywhere.


Dude, you rock! Thank you so much for that link... I just watched it through and can't wait to play...
05/06/2006 12:24:27 AM · #14
Here's my attempt at the same photo.



Blur Tool:
- blurred and darkened the background. It also blurred some of the stray hairs.
- lightly blurred some of her skin (forehead, neck area)

Clone Tool:
- the lights in the glasses.

Auto Levels (cuz I don't know how to use levels or curves properly. ;) )

I then used the sponge tool to bring out more color in her eyes and her lips.

Last thing I did was sharpen with USM. (threshhold-0, radius-.5, amount-97)

George
 05/06/2006 12:48:14 AM · #15


Here's my attempt.

Fixed glare in glasses, popped eyes and lips a little. Toned up skin a hair.
05/06/2006 01:16:29 AM · #16


Ok...on more try. A little PS fun!
 05/06/2006 03:57:55 AM · #17
Here's my go at it...I'm going to try a couple of other things later..but I really need to go to bed right now! LOL!

05/06/2006 04:47:10 AM · #18
//two.fsphost.com/photoplanet/1.jpg

Here's my effort. If you want the PSD then PM me as I can't be arsed to write it all out. I thought about blurring the background and cloning out the stray hairs (ggbudge did a great job of it) but that's for you to decide really and I don't really have time to play at the moment. Any comments gladly received. I'm not claiming I'm any good at this as I've only had photoshop about a month.

Message edited by ClubJuggle - Changed large image to link.
 05/06/2006 04:59:11 AM · #19
Send me full sized image at my E mail address.It is noon in our country.You will get it back within an hour.You are to send the last image.My e mail is info@bioslides.com

Message edited by author 2006-05-06 05:06:02.
 05/06/2006 08:31:24 AM · #20
Great jobs everyone. I'm going to watch that video now.
Brent - I didn't get your PM (PM's don't work for me, you have to use my email address).

Edit to add... Dawar, I was asleep when you posted, I've sent you an email. Thanks.

Message edited by author 2006-05-06 08:33:01.
 05/06/2006 12:44:20 PM · #21
Hi, i tried doing one shot, i am not sure if it meets your expectation.I also converted into BW

Colored

BW
 05/06/2006 01:49:22 PM · #22
I wanna play!
05/06/2006 01:59:33 PM · #23
I played with one of them.. levels, curves, selective colors, burn and usm.



took about 2 minutes :)
 05/06/2006 04:11:13 PM · #24
corrected picture of your friend is in your e mail.Write me here if u have liked it.

Message edited by author 2006-05-06 21:46:48.
 05/06/2006 10:44:56 PM · #25
Originally posted by DAWAR:
corrected picture of your friend is in your e mail.Write me here if u have liked it.


DAWAR - excellent job. Thank you!

Now I have to choose which ones to make into prints for her. If you guys saw what she normally looks like you wouldn't believe it. She's a jock, never a speck of makeup and her hair is very thick and curly (usually in a ponytail). She's 17 and I haven't seen her in a dress since she was 3 years old. BTW - she was dateless for her prom.
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