African Beauty

[tiffstar]

I recently received my first slr camera and I took this photo during my second photo session. I was quite happy with how it turned out. I know the right side of the picture has more shadow, but I kind of like it...however, from a professional point of view, does it take away from the overall quality? Also, this little girl has really bad excema (sp?)...I edited with Corel Paint Shop Pro, but this is the best I could get for smoothing her skin...how could I have made her skin look better? Any other thoughts?

Canon Rebel XS

[windrider86]

One thing you could try with the blown out areas is to clone them out. Make sure you have the blend mode set to darken and the opacity low. You could also take a sample color and then paint her face to help smooth it out. Be sure to start with a very low opcacity level and go over her face several times

[pbailey68]

I don't think that the shadow detracts from the image, but since the the light is coming from almost 90 degrees to the subjects right you could turn the subject 45 degrees or so to the right so that the light will fall more evenly on the subject's face, but still provide enough shadow to give some depth and definition to her features.

[LoWhen Photography]

I have never used Corel, only PS.
But in PS there is a feature called Gaussian Blur.
If there is something similar you should find it. It's just your basic blur layer over a photo.
First copy your first layer
Try using a gaussian blur at a REALLY small pixel radius to blend her skin out a little. That'll help smooth the skin out.
Next you'll have to erase the blur off of her Eyes/lips/hair to make it clear again.

Might not be a good technique but that's my $.02 on it.

[SKent]

Hi tiffstar
I love the shot/composition. As far as the shadow on her face...I love it, but I do agree with the other comment , try turning her toward the light just a little. You can also go in to Photo shop Elements. It's fairly user friendly. Try lightening the shadows only. You would be amazed what that will do. Also, to smooth out her skin, instead of playing around in a photo shop program, I would go straight to Portrait Professional 9....just my thoughts.