One man's trash is another man's treasure...

[amy-rose]

Before...


After...


I loved the expression that was in this shot even though it was a bit blurry so I really wanted to salvage it.
First I opened it in camera RAW and made a few adjustments there. I usually try to push the Exposure (highlights) as much as I can - even to the point of losing detail if necessary. I then adjust the darks and the midtones. If this is not satisfying enough then I add an s-curve adjustment. I also cropped it a little.
Second (once I have the original image as I like it...) I converted it to bw.
I then added a couple rough textures that add most of the brownish hue adding masks and painting as necessary around the eyes and mouth.
I then ran and took a picture of some music my husband had laying around his office and added this as a texture as well. (I put almost all my textures in overlay mode.)

[SusanAshlea]

My first love is music and my second love is photography. This photo captures both so beautiful. It's just gorgeous. I love how changing the color to B&W and adding the highlights really makes those big eyes even bigger.

Thanks for making your work so accessible, and explaining some of your tricks!

[filemanager]

omg it's BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! Excellent work!!

[lputman]

Beautifully done!

[lissykeeper]

Wow, Wow, Wow! I love this! I can't wait to get a pic to try this technique with! Thank you so much for sharing it!

[lisaliquidation]

Now, if you sat me down and told me how to do this without my seeing it, I probably wouldn't think it would look good.
But seeing it, is absolutely amazing.
Very good job.
I love it.

[TexasShutterBug]

that is just beautiful!!

[redthedunns]

That is wonderful!! I love the addition of the music and the colors. I am shocked that you actually converted it to b&w. I thought it was sepia. Great pp effects. I love it!!

[Nobie]

Now that's a good save.

...well done.

[jameel]

and that is called as digital photography with perfection