[Banded Drake]

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

[Toad]

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!

[smarti77]

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).

[Banded Drake]

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

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

[Russt]

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.

[Toad]

...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.

[shuttertalk]

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...

[Banded Drake]

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

[Toad]

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...