A little bit of blur...

[alissasanderson]

OK, I took this photo this evening:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/alissaspics/376009187/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/170/376009187_1427f9151a.jpg" width="500" height="328" alt="Brothers1" /></a>

I love the expressions on their faces. But, it's blurry. Not too blurry, but blurry. I was OK with it until DH wandered through and said "oh, too bad that one is ruined. it would have been a nice one".

I'm not adept enough at Photoshop to even attempt fixing it. Anyone have any suggestions? Is it possible to de-blur it, or do some other effect to make it look intentional? Or is it OK the way it is? Like I said, I was liking it until I was made to doubt myself.

[Gunsotsu]

I wouldn't touch it alissa. Sure it's blurry, but I think it works that way. Sometimes a little blur is a good thing. This is one of those moments you only get once and you'll want to remember forever. I honestly think that if you did sharpen it, you'd lose a lot of the intimancy and playfulness of it.

[jiminyClickit]

alissaanderson,

For practice, and to see if the hard contrast on cheek and throat of 'boy on right' could be smoothed some, the two-layer (desaturate-and-blur then overlay-30% opacity) method could help there and might give the slight blur a dreamlike appearence. Also, more subtle change can come from sharpening then blurring, sharpen and blur, until it suits you. Degrading of image may occur; it's practice. If you want to see one and don't have the time, let me know.

"Critique is harshest when the messenger matters."

[alissasanderson]

Thanks guys. I'll fiddle with it tonight, just to see, but I really think I like it the way it is.

If anyone feels like messing with it, however, feel free. It'll be hours and hours before I have the opportunity:)

[jiminyClickit]

alissasanderson,

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47146451@N00/377313609/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/125/377313609_4b0ad7a5c1.jpg" width="371" height="500" alt="BrothersX" /></a>

Only a little different; a hint of sharpness, the line of contrast lessened.
Side by side, it is less 'brilliant,' so 'as is' or have a go at it, it's a story shot.

[alissasanderson]

Oh, hey, cool! I played with it, too, but didn't come up with anything near as subtle. Or worth posting or keeping, for that matter:rolleyes:

Thanks!

[googlit]

I used the high-pass method of sharpening (duplicate layer, filter > other > high pass, set blending mode to overlay), and then made it just a little lighter... I love the light and mood of the scene, and tried to emphasize it just a little:

http://lh6.google.com/image/googlit/RcNCiSGJQ8I/AAAAAAAAAvc/-ETE3HvD7yE/boys-ba.jpg

http://lh3.google.com/image/googlit/RcNAFiGJQ7I/AAAAAAAAAvU/cXzxiqSYuJk/s288/boys.jpg (http://picasaweb.google.com/googlit/DPSPhotoshopEdits/photo#5026932072871707570)

[jiminyClickit]

alissasanderson,

My pleasure (and did you recently add the "s" or have I been misspelling your name all this time?)

googlit,

Even a tiny bit of brightening brought back either the orange-pink line of contrast, or the lightening made the background pale on mine.

You got it in one. Nicely done.

[alissasanderson]

You guys are awesome!

And the "s" has always been there:p

[steevdavis62]

Alissa,
I love how you captured the shot. Reminds me of me and and my brother as kids, how far apart in age are they?... Do u have a story to go with it? i love photos that have stories to go with them. Always makes them so much more meaningful

[alissasanderson]

They are 2 years and 2 days apart in age. I was letting them "play" with a string of white Christmas lights, in hopes that I'd get some good shots. They were laughing at this moment because the older one (on the left) had hidden several of the lights in his shirt and the younger one was trying to count them through the material.

[steevdavis62]

Wow, thats really cute, absolutely adorable... Good memories. Treasure them for ever, coz they will b gone soon