Raw Photoshop Edit

[saltytostitos]

did a little tinkering with photoshop. Wife wanted a picture for her phone so I decided to do some PP.





Click to see the full sized image. These are myself and my wife. I added some makeup base using a brush and average skin tone, lightened eyes, applied overall tone changes, cropped and whitened teeth, removed blemishes. OH and used a soft blur/gradient keeping faces in focus! -- total time taken: about 18 minutes.
Then I realized her phone is a portrait orientation.... one more time!!!

Photo information
May 16, 2009
5616×3744 pixels – 4416KB
Filename: IMG_7154.JPG
Camera: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO: 50
Exposure: 1/200 sec
Aperture: 4.0
Focal Length: 70mm
2 Strobes: 1 Softbox, 1 overhead umbrella

How do I put this...

It's just... well... OK. The edits are minimal and don't really add a whole lot to the photo that I can notice.

The pose is a bit off here, I can't quite pin point it but it just doesn't look natural.

Her hand is blurry as all get out. both of your shirts are blurry, basically everything but your faces is blurry (except for her watch, oddly enough). It looks like you've added this (and you say you did) to the photo... I would have left it as is, I'm not a fan of this on portraits.

Her face looks blown out and flat, there's no depth to her face. I'm not sure if it was the lighting angle or what but it just seems to be very flat.

The reflection in your glasses is a goof-up I take it. Your facial expression doesn't quite match hers, I dunno, it just seems unnatural (there's that word again).

Like I said, it's not a BAD photo, it's just sort of... blah.

~Eric

[saltytostitos]

WOW. That's encouraging! I can handle red ink but I feel sorry for those who can't -- of whom you comment.

Thanks for the tips, anyhow.

[AMAHOGANY53]

Hii Salty,
I have noticed as a new memeber there are many comments that are harsh. I think that is just how this site is, don't be discourage just keep clicking. You will find a ton of information on this site regarding photography which is a plus....

[Jim Bryant]

Yup.. we can be pretty harsh at times, but as you know photography is a learning process. One really has to earn their warm fuzzies here. This site is a good place (no matter if you're a novice, amateur, emerging pro or pro) you can always get a true critique. You surely won't get one from family or friend as they'll tell you your shot is the greatest since Ansel Adams. We all learn by our mistakes and aim to improve our photography not through our own eyes but others as well. So take the critiques, whether they hurt your feelings or not and learn from others.

[saltytostitos]

Thanks Amahogany53 & Jim. I do find a lot of good information here. Although I don't post daily (and hourly) I do visit and read often. This site is definitely one of my most visited (aside from email, facebook)

Noticed my links were broken so I've fixed them (thanks Charlotte)

I spent hardly any time between the shutter and file export so I know there's not much attention to detail (and I was having fun) but maxharvard makes sense and his points are valid. BTW I am smiling, I just don't smile like everybody else!

If they do not work, album is here