The "polished look"

[jamiedennis]

Im not sure where to put this, so I figure this was a good place for it...


How do people get that polished look to their images? I compare mine to other peoples work and mine still looks incomplete... Am I missing something or doing something wrong?

Thanks...

[High_Speed]

Can you post some examples of what you're talking about, please?

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by High_Speed

Can you post some examples of what you're talking about, please?

^^ Yeah, what High Speed said. I have no idea what you're talking about, lol. Post links to examples, please?

[jamiedennis]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

^^ Yeah, what High Speed said. I have no idea what you're talking about, lol. Post links to examples, please?

This is one of the images that I feel is missing something to give it the polished look...


_DSC0059edit by jamiedennis1, on Flickr

I like the image, I have received good reviews from those who have seen it... So Im not sure if Im being too critical or what...


Thanks

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by jamiedennis

This is one of the images that I feel is missing something to give it the polished look...


_DSC0059edit by jamiedennis1, on Flickr

I like the image, I have received good reviews from those who have seen it... So Im not sure if Im being too critical or what...


Thanks

Okay, thanks...good starting point. But can you link to an image or two that has the "polished look" you're after? The opinion of that look varies from one photographer's style to another.

[SusanH1970]

Yours, as a basic critique:

Ineffective cropping (subject in glasses is too centered)
Underexposed a tad
White balance off

[jamiedennis]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

Okay, thanks...good starting point. But can you link to an image or two that has the "polished look" you're after? The opinion of that look varies from one photographer's style to another.

Heres a pic anotehr DPS member took - TOTALLY different subjects, but its the only one I can find right now that has the polished look Im referring too... To me it says a pro took this, my images say some one with a tad of knowledge took this...

Stars of the Fifties | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[jamiedennis]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

Yours, as a basic critique:

Ineffective cropping (subject in glasses is too centered)
Underexposed a tad
White balance off

The cropping - *nods* Makes sense, wasnt on the `Rule Of Thirds` segments...
Underexposed - I dont see that? Can you explain why??? Im still learning so any explanations is a huge help.
White Balance - Again, I dont really see it... I had it set for sunny... not sure what other setting should have been used...???

Thanks.
Hopefully the image is acceptable - if not, I will try and find another one to use...

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by jamiedennis

Heres a pic another DPS member took - TOTALLY different subjects, but its the only one I can find right now that has the polished look Im referring too... To me it says a pro took this, my images say some one with a tad of knowledge took this...

Stars of the Fifties | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Thanks Jamie. Let me start by saying that the process begins with getting good exposure and good focus. I shot the photo mentioned above at f/8, 1/400, ISO 200 on a D300 using a star filter on the lens. Almost without exception, pretty much all photos need some tweaking in your editing software. To get the result you see here, this image was edited in photoshop and in Topaz Filters. So a good working knowledge of your editing software is also a key component

[autofocus]

Underexposed - I dont see that? Can you explain why??? Im still learning so any explanations is a huge help.

Susan is correct here Jamie. The overall histogram is OK on the entire image, but if you select the subject's face without including the mirror glasses you will see that she is underexposed.

White Balance - Again, I dont really see it... I had it set for sunny... not sure what other setting should have been used...???

I think the image has a little more blue, especially in the darker areas of her face. Overall lightening in curves or levels will help that some. You also can use Selective Color in PS to adjust for some of that. Also, a slight re-crop of the image will get the girl in the glasses more in the ROT's area.