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Plaz
12-29-2006, 06:24 PM
Before:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/159/337522247_2fbd899180.jpg

After:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/151/337522252_a237dda2cb.jpg

This one is a bit subtle. This photo was taken with a Sony DSC-P200 using no flash. I adjusted the colors in Photoshop using Image>Adjustments>Color Balance and some of the highlights and shadows using Image>Adjustments>Shadow/Highlight. To add a bit more depth and artistic flavor, I tweaked shadow depth using Image>Adjustments>Levels.

When adjusting levels, very often I will copy the image to a new, top layer. Then I'll tweak the shadows and highlights for a dramatic effect, and then add a layer mask so I can use a gradient fill to erase/delete in a gradual sweep across the image. On this image, I used this method to make the shadows toward the bottom of the image a bit more extreme.

I also used the healing brush tool to do a bit of re-touching on the subjects face, and then finished by sharpening some details like the zipper on her jacket. I added a bit of faux depth of field by blurring the background slightly and then cropped the image.

The colors in the paintings are now closely matched to the heart images on the shoulder of her jacket. I tried to make my changes subtle enough to preserve the look and feel of the original location while adding a bit of artistic flair.

jiminyClickit
01-24-2007, 05:51 AM
Plaz,

Went away from this 2 weeks ago, thinking 'Whaaa?" Since then I've done a LOT of layering work from tutorials and members' information. Think you got me interested in the process. I have old PhotoDeluxe, but it all translates to the basics, once you get the language sorted out.

Subtle works. Helps to have pleasant subject, too. Glad you showed this. ty

Plaz
03-01-2007, 12:43 AM
jiminy,

I've been hard into editing/re-touching photos for about a year now. 99% of the stuff I do is for work, so I don't have the liberty to post it online without models permission, etc.... but it's made me pay attention to just how much work can go into making a photo look "normal" for print.

I'm trying to get back to editing some photos that I've taken for enjoyment.

I love before and after shots. I'm hoping to post more this weekend.

What's the last shot you edited?

jiminyClickit
03-01-2007, 04:53 AM
Plaz,

"Reality. What a concept!" Do you find yourself meeting new people and thinking, 'I could fix that nose?' I grew up loving to draw, and now that extends into 'fixing' faces and other parts of photos. DPS is ripe with advice and technique, to which you contribute-thanks for that.

"Sun and Ice" in Critique is recent for me, and "Mossy Brick Wall." Waiting to hear from "Whiteground" for permission. Seems as if it has slowed down a bit, so I revisit my own stuff and get a good laugh.

Hope you get that time to have fun with photos of your own.