Dress Up Day

[rachelm1981]

So, this is my first thread on DPS forums. I've been tinkering with photography for awhile, but I've only recently begun my hand at post processing. I typically try to keep things subtle, but sometimes I like an over-done look -- like in this case.

I had a dress-up day with my boyfriend's daughters last weekend while he was out of town on business. I did their hair and makeup, they dressed up in my clothes, and we had a mini photoshoot. While we were still in my bathroom getting ready, I caught this one of one of the girls looking in the mirror by accident. The lighting in there is horrible, and I almost threw it out. But after some fiddling, I ended up really liking the result. What do you guys think? Am I way off base here?

SOOC:



Edited:



I first tweaked the exposure and saturation in UFRaw. Everything else I did in Gimp. I tweaked the levels, intentionally blew out the exposure a little more, added a slight sepia tone and a magenta soft light layer. I wasn't expecting to take a picture in my bathroom mirror -- otherwise, I would've cleaned it first! I had to do quite a few touchups to get some spots off the mirror. Finally, I rotated it a bit, cropped it, and added a slight vignette. Again, lots of post processing, but I was kind of going for that vintage-y, over done feel.

Any and all critiques welcome.

Taken with a Canon 1000D, 50mm f/2 @ 1/30 sec, ISO-200.

Rachel

[tylernothumbs]

i love the mirror pictures, i like the original picture a little better, I like the shadow over the face, and in the second one the dress on the left looks a little blue, and I like the texture of the door which is gone in the edit, but overall you did a good job getting the feel you wanted

[Kari.Wolfe]

I love your final result. I think it definitely emphasizes that the girl isn't quite sure about the whole thing. I'm glad that you didn't throw out the image--that look is priceless. It feels like she's a little sad about growing up and that's a feeling you don't find often.

Beautiful girl, btw