[crazy_irish_chick]

There's a long story involved with this shot so I'll try and make it as short as possible. That's my Dar, he's a true 9/11 hero (an iron worker). He built the twin towers, was the first there to rebuild when they were bombed the 1st time, and was 70 years old and working 19 hour days in the rescue effort after 9/11. After working @ground zero, he and many others developed lung problems and then pancreas cancer. We all knew pancreas cancer would claim our hero in a matter of months, so his birthday party seemed to take on a bit of a funeral atmosphere, with no one knowing really what to say. Then Madison (my niece) completely broke the ice with one gesture. I just happened to have my camera in my hand. I think this shot sums up what we were all struggling, but couldn’t find the words to say. Ok, my problem before I start to blubber:
I love the soft shadows of him on her face, but I can’t quite get it right. I also love the look of sepia, but think It has too much red in it? I am desperately trying to figure out curves and levels in photoshop, but am a little dense. Someone care to explain the difference? And or the proper use of the two? Also I just didnt understand why they looked so much different when I was working on them in PS, and saved them (until I read the raw article THANK YOU!)

[crazy_irish_chick]

here's the origional... In this one you can see the teardrop nd the ironworkers pins more (which I think adds to the story). any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[guerito]

After reading the story, I like the picture even more. I'm posting this with tears in my eyes.

I'm afraid I can't help you a lot with the theory of curves and levels. As far as I understand, levels are good when you have a flat looking picture that has no real white and no real black. With levels you can sort of spread the tonality, so the lighter parts become whiter and the darker parts become blacker. The result is usually more contrast and a clearer picture. With curves, I really don't know. I use them sometimes when my tonal range is okay, but I want the picture to look darker or lighter. Or to enhance the contrast but without blowing the whites and clipping the blacks. You can sort of shift the interpretation of the luminance (this sounds good, but doesn't really mean much).

As to the pictures, I must say I like the color image better. It is a wonderful portrait, I wouldn't change a thing. I think that sepia makes a picture look old and weathered, an effect that I wouldn't like to achieve in this special case.

[matthew]

Thanks for sharing the story and the photos.

I'm just trying to wrap my head around Curves myself, so I can't be of any specific help. I do like the sepia treatment, and you just may need to decrease its intensity a little.

What technique did you use to convert the colour photo to black and white? There are many way to do it, but the best allow for different emphasis on each colour channel. If you lighten the red channel, it will let the ironworkers logo on his cap stand out more. It may also lighten the skin tones too much, but that can be corrected with a layer mask.

[Irma]

Hi Pat,

Welcome to Shuttertalk..

Priceless picture... You captured a very special moment... I love it...

Here is my try with the original picture... I worked with curves then channel mixer and then gradient map...

If you like the outcome I can give you the settings so you might like to work with the original...





forgot to add this one...this is a lighter version...

[Petographer]

As Irma said, you've captured a very special moment. Well done Crazy.

[Russt]

Hi Kathie, I am touched by your story and I think your picture is a treasure. I like your first one, its well done. My suggestion would be to add more blur to the background (create a shallow DOF) so your subjects stand out more. (but thats up to you)

I am desperately trying to figure out curves and levels in photoshop

HEREis a link to an article on understanding curves, you may find useful.

[patch17]

a very lovely photograph, one to treasure always in any form.

hope you don't mind my attempt, i like to adjust the levels before i convert it to b&w, then play around with the curves till i get the contrast i like. then into color balance to adjust the tones. some unsharp mask and lighting effects...

[shuttertalk]

Wow, what a powerful story behind the photograph... I think you've given him a real tribute with the photo... well done.

[crazy_irish_chick]

Thank you all so much, you've inspired me to play with it some more. When I first got photoshop I never used it, I thought it was way too complicated for me. Different story now, I am soooo addicted!