My Mona Lisa

[m13l13]

Thanks for all the great comments. I played around with adding more natural colours from the original, but it looses the 'gloom' look.

Here's the pic in B&W, many seem tend toward this option... I think it takes a bit away from the eyes!?



Original MSG:
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The expression and the dull colours leave me unsure of her mood... happy or sad?

Please tell me what you think?

F3.2 Ex 1/60 Sec, WB: Cloudy, taken out doors on a overcast day.



I used the pic to play around with some PSP techniques....
- Created a copy layer, adjusted the hue to fade the colours
- Increased the colours contrasts on the hair, cheeks, mouth & eyes
- And then created another layer from the original over the top & adjusted the opacity to blend it all.

[windrider86]

to me, its not the colors that appear to be sad. Its her expression. I'm not sure i like the faded colors. I think I owuld either prefer the photo to be either a sepia or black and white or, with the colros in a more natural state.

[pcp]

Happy Chilfrens are made with tons of smile and they are messengers for GOD.

[Robin Sarac]

I really like this photo! The colors, the composition, and her expression. I'm left wondering how she's feeling as well. I think you did a fantastic job overall.

[Atlas88]

I agree with Robin, well done! I'm instantly drawn to her eyes and the uncertain expression on her face. Beautiful eye colour as well!

[Manila_Joe]

The eyes are very sharp. This would be great in black and white. Nice!

[FrankenPengie]

Very nice shot and wonderful expression that does leave her mood open for questioning, or debate. To me she looks perfectly sure of herself, and if you don't get that camera out of her face...

The softened tones are interesting but they don't do it for me. I like a more defined B&W in a scene like this.

[Atlas88]

@m13l13: My personal opinion is you got the PP on this picture just right the first time around. I really like the muted colours of her clothes which compliment and bring out her eyes. The lighting on her hair and face is to my eye, perfect.

This is one of my favourite photos I've come across on this forum to date.

[Kvikken]

I think this photo is really beautiful and I love the way she looks up on the camera. But I do think that b&w and the colored version needs more contrast, they look a bit "washed out" in a way from the lack of both blacks and whites.

I assume that by PSP you mean Paint shop pro, I'm not familiar with that program, but it probably has some way of adjusting the curves or levels to increase contrast. If it does, I think you should try it out cause this picture is so gorgeus that making it even more gorgeous would have been perfect

[bahgheera]

Hi there. This is indeed an outstanding shot, I think the color one is perfect - the expression, the composition, etc. Top notch. Here's how I would have treated converting to black and white.



I adjusted the levels for contrast then desaturated; then I converted to duotone, tweaking one of the duotone presets that comes with ps. I don't know if psp has that capability, but duotones are great fun if you've never played with them. Converting to a duotone can make all the difference between a 'blah' b&w and a 'hey look at that!' b&w.

Laters...