Never sure if I am making it better?

dmcaloney

dmcaloney

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289
Name
Dave
Edit My Images
Yes
Any post processing advice welcome..

Started with this:

key issues I see (noob eyes).. under exposed (I think) and shadowy...

duog7.jpg


had an amateur mess around with PS and came up with adjustments to make:

2426brt.jpg


Now, from what I can see this looks a bit grey / green (despite messing with the colour adjustment in PP) and also shadows can still be improved imo (my missus has panda eyes!)

I would just like advice on whether I am calling it right, or whether I am way off beam and doing it wrong.

(looking at both in hindsight I am making it worse! Are new eyes required?!)

Thanks.
 
It is a definite improvement, so yes it works. :thumbs:
 
Thanks, but to my noob eyes, even though the first is dark and over shadowy, it seems more natural than my effort.

Am I missing an easy trick here?

or am I over complicating things?
 
PP is always tricky unless you saw the lighting as it was, here is my take on it.
Might be slightly cool, but difficult due to the 2 different light sources.
Used CS4 Viveza, ColorFex pro and sharpener pro all by Nik software.
Also a action called Kents colorcast fix (not mine :) ) works pretty well on most pictures with slight adjustment.

Please delete it if you dont like it.. no offense taken and hopefully none caused :)

 
bobkent said:
PP is always tricky unless you saw the lighting as it was, here is my take on it.
Might be slightly cool, but difficult due to the 2 different light sources.
Used CS4 Viveza, ColorFex pro and sharpener pro all by Nik software.
Also a action called Kents colorcast fix (not mine :) ) works pretty well on most pictures with slight adjustment.

Please delete it if you dont like it.. no offense taken and hopefully none caused :)

Click to expand...



:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:
 
definitely no offence taken Bob, and thanks for your time.

THIS is the type of improvement I am looking to get.

Now you reel off programs there like its easy (and for guys like you who know their onions I guess it is).... but for someone like me without experience, how would I know which programs to drop in and out of to create results like these?
 
There are many ways to achieve a similar output without the use of software like the Nik suite I use. Its just a workflow I am used to. But using layers and dodge and burning you can get just as good results. And as I said if you use Photoshop, there are some great free actions to be had :) Actually the shadow and highlights adjustment in PS does a pretty good job on its own.. just a bit of colour adjustment and sharpening.. :)
 
cheers for the tips.. had a little go with the standard PS tools and think I am getting there...

2h4ja8h.jpg
 
The original is better than any of the PP'd ones.

You've got one which removes all the depth and contrast from the image and one that makes the subjects look like wax figures via $700.00 of plugins.

Of any of the PP's the first one is better than subsequent ones, it retains some natural skin tones, and manages to lift the shadow areas.
 
Hi Dave
I hope you don't mind me having a bit of a say on your image and having a bit of a 'tweek'.

I thought the image might benefit from the large teardrop shadow around the left eye being less defined. My attempt isn't perfect (no time to clean up the inside of the eye) but gives an idea of the possibilities (there's usually more than one way of doing things in Photoshop).

This was done with a feathered selection/layers/masks/reduced opacity and a bit of spot healing.

Apologies if this isn't the kind of improvement you had in mind.:)

Jeanie W

more2h4ja8h.jpg
 
I like your first edit.

Remember, you can only remove so much shadow before you start to wash out the image... it is lacking in a bit of contrast in the edit, but you can't have it both ways. A fill in flash would do wonders for this.
 
JasonRS said:
The original is better than any of the PP'd ones.

You've got one which removes all the depth and contrast from the image and one that makes the subjects look like wax figures via $700.00 of plugins.

Of any of the PP's the first one is better than subsequent ones, it retains some natural skin tones, and manages to lift the shadow areas.
Click to expand...

Yeah right lol... had to use some noise removal due to editing a very low sized jpg.. wouldnt have used any normally..
Back to my plugins.. :)
 
Cheers for the advice folks.

As I said, I am new to this photoshopping malarkey and still finding my feet so all advice is appreciated.

Funny, but I showed two people my 'improved image' today and both said the original was better! :D

Just goes to show... its all about opinions he he.
 
It sure is Dave, as long as you and the people in the picture like it, then not much else matters.. :)
 
Hey folks,


I have actually used Nik Software and I’d like you to check out whether you, your family & friends like the results. I truly hope so, because it’s a new timesaving dimension and very easy to use. You don’t have to deal with complicated selections or layer masks.
Just features as global adjustments, fine detail structure control and shadow recovery.
Please check out the how to:
I have used Viveza 2 on your picture starting with increasing the brightness to 30% by moving the slider to the right side. As a second step I have put up the contrast to 15%. Following I have moved the saturation level to 10%. Afterwards I have adjusted the shadows to 40%.

Then I placed a control point on the left eye to reduce the shadows caused by the light around the eyes. Definitely no new eyes are required since I have just adjusted the shadows within this control point to 5%.

The second control point is placed on the rim light of the forehead and I took out some warmth of the picture by approximately -20%.

Then I used Color Efex Pro 3.0 and used the filter Dynamic Skin Softener. To preserve the character and individuality I just took the soft brush and wiped it over the lady’s face. I set an additional control point on the right eye. Here I’ve increased the contrast to 30% and the structure to 90%.

Please feel free to download a demo version: http://www.niksoftware.com/site/
and create your own ☺

All the best,

Claire Saylor
duog7Kopie.jpg
 
The original and that last shot are by far the best ones, the bit that bothers me is the shine on the forehead
 
Thanks for the input Nina, but two initial observations (even for a noob like me) are:

isnt the pic over saturised? and it needs sharpening? e.g. my wifes jumper has a definite green tint to it, but should be black... also her hair is almost orange.

thanks for your input though.

I have now used the Nik software on a mates PC and it is great but I wish I could learn enough about the basics to do it myself.
 
I do like to try some PP, I only use Elements 7 and have enhanced and adjusted shadow and highlights a little sharpening and some healing work.
Hope you like?

 
Michael, As a noob can you tell me how you did this?

The only way I know in PS is by a layer mask with the forground painted out, but I assume there must be a much easier way to do this?

Cheers.
 
I did it with layer masks and the brush tool in Elements 8.
I only spent about 5 minutes on it....could of been a bit fussier!
I think it's one of those things....keep doing it and you get quicker.

Nice photo by the way.
 
Cheers.

Lazy people like me even try to reduce the 5 minute things :D
 
There's not much bad about your initial edit. I'd say the white balance is a bit warm, here's my take with slightly cooler colours and a teeny bit of lift in brightness...

edit.jpg
 
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