DSLR Photography Forum

Ok guys/ gals have at it . I really like this Midnight Sepia look. The first shot is the original and the second Ive done A Lot of work too. But i do not know how to fix the " blown out " hat . Any one that feels like it can have at it LOL .

Other than the hat what do yall think?


#1



#2



Thanks For Looking ................. Shawn

It's good Drake! The post processing brings more attention to her face and eyes by diffusing the other photo elements - but without losing any significant detail. The diffusion also smoothes a bit of the weather beaten look she has in the first shot - which she may like a lot - it makes her look more glamourous.

The way you have lightened the shadows - particularly around her eyes really improves the shot and helps the viewer to focus on her eyes. Your composition is nice and tight - showing what should be shown and eliminating extraneous detail.

I also like the color processing - but I am not an expert in glamour shots - so I don't know whether less than natural skin tones are OK - it looks great to me. Maybe one of the other portrait photographers here can comment.

Excellent work Drake - one of the best you have published in this forum to date.

BTW: I would ignore the blown out hat in the second shot - looks fine!

Shawn - I had a go using selective colouring adjustment layers but its hard work because there no detail left. I tried to clone the 'weave' texture to create more detail. I got carried away in photoshop as usual and had a play with a few other bits (I hope you don't mind).

Thank you very much !!! this is one shot that i am proud of , and she really likes it too. I may try some more on the hat ( its buggin me ) , but i may end up leaving it alone. Im not near as good as cloning as you smarti . Great job and thanks.


Toad wrote

Quote:Excellent work Drake - one of the best you have published in this forum to date.

Thanks a lot . Your opinion means a lot to me .



Thanks .......... Shawn

g'day Shawn, I agree with Toad you've done a great job on this.........really like it!

The hat not too bad........but it would be better if it was not so blown out. The backdrop with the creases draws a little attention. The other thing I would like too see is a little more light on the right side of her face.......maybe use a reflector. You have catch lights in one eye only. With that said over all great job........I like your models pose and she looks relaxed and natural.

...and nice work Smarti. Your color correction and cloning is impressive!

I didn't actually notice the backdrop before Russt mentioned it, but as we have discussed in a couple of threads lately - backgrounds can easily be changed and this one is easy to separate...

A quick background substitution (using Smarti's rework)...



You cam for sure do better than this by spending a little time on it. Personally I like what you have done with her eyes in your sepia version - much more alive and sparkling with less dark shadow.

Really good stuff mate! Was this taken in a studio?

The blown out hat doesn't bother me that much - more the deep shadows that hide the detail espeically under her neck. But #2 really does well in lightening the shadows in the face, which is really good. I like the glow as well.

Good to see that she likes it too...

Thanks Russt and ST ,
This was taken at my house , not what i would call a studio but its as close to one as i can get .

Toad i really like that BG , and i think i can get it to look pretty similar . Or maybe a tighter crop .? but i really like your BG more . Guess ill gve it a shot too.

Russt i noticed that about the " catch " lights too but didnt know if it would be a " problem " . Maybe i can add 1 by cloning or something . . I was really trying to get the hang of short lighting and had a reflector but my light just wasnt strong enough ( i think ) .

......... Shawn

The backgroound is a new layer between the original background and the cutout of the cowgirl. Fill with mid brown and use curves to darken. Apply a spotlight to the new layer with Render -> Lighting Effects and position the bright spot behind the head . I then used Dark Strokes on the background to give it a moody look and last I added a Canvas texture faded back to 15% - total time 5 minutes. Looks like a real studio backdrop and backdrop lighting doesn't it? Cheaper and faster than real lights...