What can be done to this photo??

[K.ErickPhotography]

Im still learning the editing part (trying not to over edit) but I get stuck. Take this photo for example, all I did was boost up the colors just a tad in Camera Raw but after that I am stuck. Its like once I import it from Cam Raw to PS I dont know where to go. It still looks like it needs something to make it "one" if that makes sense.

By one I guess I mean compressed/flattened??? Does that make sense or do I sound dumb?? lol

Tell me what I need to do to this picture?? Or what would you do ?? (besides the white pickup truck in the background lol)

Thanks everybody

F 5.0
1/80
Natural light

[Niresangwa]

Firstly, in theory, I think this is a decent shot. I like the composition, and I think you have the DoF tucked in nicely.

The two things that jump out at me that are detracting from it are the fact the baby (as cute as it is) isnt contributing much. I know babies can't be ordered to look at the camera, such is life :/ the second thing is the background...its very fussy. Through the foreground and to the subject its beautifully simplistic witht he crisp, vibrant grass...beautiful girl...then the background has what appears to be a big old truck, an intersection, buildings...

bottom line, I don't know what more can be done to take it further. Without some very heavy PP skills to clean up the background, you can tweak and treat til the sun goes down, its still going to be unsettling to your eye.

i'd say you obviously knew the shot you were going for, and succeeded by my eye, you were just foiled by not paying attention to the background and framing the shot appropriately. Which I have done myself countless times, as we all have :/

[RLucas]

It doesn't really "need" anything in my opinion. To me it is a good environmental portrait as it is. I don't think the background is distracting at all. The only thing for me, is the subject looks a tad underexposed. If you are shooting RAW, bump up the exposure compensation slider up a tad, and see what that does for it.

[fuscom]

I think colorwise, you don't need to do anything further. The green of the grass and the red in her shirt pop nicely and the skin tone looks great.

Obviously, you don't want to make a career out of painting out the background. However, some quick touchups on the flare of the truck's chrome bumper, a painting out of what looks like a trash container and also the a/c unit, and then maybe cropping out the rear tire on the right edge, might help lessen it.

Otherwise, I love the photo. It's got a very honest feeling about it.

[LeeR]

First of all, this young woman (your wife?) is a real beauty with a stunning smile. I certainly can't blame you for wanting to help her look her best. I'll tell you a bit about how I get started.

Normally, the first two things that need to be done every time you import an image to PS are; A) 'Levels' adjustment (this image needs none) and, B) cropping.If everyone who submitted photos on this forum did those two things before posting, the overall quality of our site would go up at dramatically. I did break from tradition slightly by blurring out the background before cropping. Like many others who have seen this image, I found the background to be distracting, particularly the truck and its chrome. I copied the image and used enough Gaussian blur to lose the truck then used a layer mask to reveal the areas I wanted sharp. Even then, however, I found the image still needed to be cropped. I kept cropping tighter and tighter until I felt there were only essential elements left. Here is what I ended up with; I think you will agree that many of the other criticism are eliminated in the process.

[Photolicious]

It is really a great shot, and I must say that LeeR's crop and blur, really gave it what it deserved - now the two beauties don't have competition and well, everything just works

Great job both of you

[RLucas]

I am sorry to have to disagree on the background. I think the crop that Lee did was too tight, and the background blur was overdone. Not trying to be harsh, but I never liked simulated dof in post. It makes the image look too flat in my opinion. The original background works for me because it conveys life. It looks like she is taking a nice break from the hustle and bustle of life and being a mom, to find some tranquility in a peaceful place in the middle of it all. To do away with those elements just kills the image for me. Here is my take on it. I left the composition, crop, and the background alone. I made an adjustment layer, and brightened and adjusted the contrast, to give her a little more exposure. Then I painted the original background back in to even it out a little. The exposure of the subject was the only thing that bugged me about this image.

[K.ErickPhotography]

Originally Posted by LeeR

First of all, this young woman (your wife?) is a real beauty with a stunning smile. I certainly can't blame you for wanting to help her look her best. I'll tell you a bit about how I get started.

Normally, the first two things that need to be done every time you import an image to PS are; A) 'Levels' adjustment (this image needs none) and, B) cropping.If everyone who submitted photos on this forum did those two things before posting, the overall quality of our site would go up at dramatically. I did break from tradition slightly by blurring out the background before cropping. Like many others who have seen this image, I found the background to be distracting, particularly the truck and its chrome. I copied the image and used enough Gaussian blur to lose the truck then used a layer mask to reveal the areas I wanted sharp. Even then, however, I found the image still needed to be cropped. I kept cropping tighter and tighter until I felt there were only essential elements left. Here is what I ended up with; I think you will agree that many of the other criticism are eliminated in the process.

Thanks Lee, This wasnt a planned shot I was just testing out the 135L that i rented to see how long it was on my Crop body. This is my back yard (townhomes) lol anybody who lives or ever lived in a towhome knows people park anywhere and everywhere. You made me realize I need to pay more attention to the backgrounds of my shots. They are so easy to over look especially if your focused on correct exposure. I guess with practice everything will come together. Thanks again for your help and I agree on the crop. I just like the greness of the grass so I kept as much as possible.


I didnt touch up her skin which is something I am still practicing =)