Family shoot - ugh hard work - but fun

[NicolaB]

I knew it would be difficult to get a family portrait, especially when there are little ones involved. I quite like this one as an 'alternative arty' type image.

I have other closer up images but for some reason I am drawn to this one. Don't know what my friend thinks yet.

What can I do to improve it both in PP and when shooting next time? I would like the background to be more golden but don't really know where to start?

ALL CC much appreciated.


Exposure 0.002 sec (1/640)
Aperture f/3.2
Focal Length 40 mm
ISO Speed 1600
(I see I could have lowered my iso to 400-800)

tia

[zona5101]

For me what really makes this striking is the perfect balance of focus and OOF. It makes them really stand out. On the other side, the image is a bit dark and as you point out a bit drab with the gray sky and water dominating the scene. You could add some warm/yellow to the sky with a tinted graduated filter. Not sure that would be the ticket because there is a lot of yellow in the ground and grass. If you are wanting too try and color the sky, I might try a bit of orange yellow, like a early am or late afternoon sun) and see if that works...

[tyasa81]

Hi Nicola... Hope you dont mind me having a little play with the pict... you said you wanted golden... and to me it just scream cross process... it stuck in my head and i just decided to give it a try.. let me know if you mind and i'll take it down...if you want to know the steps, let me know but it's more about adjusting to taste... whether you want it more red/yellow/green... in hindsight it looks abit yellow.. should've boosted the red channel more.. oh well... hope you get the idea..

[NicolaB]

Brill thank you! Yes this is along the lines I was thinking. Is that done as zona says with the gradient map?

[ihsankhairir]

I like both the original and the cross-processed pictures. What I think is a bit odd in the picture is the angle of the feet of the father. Looks a bit awkward.

[NicolaB]

Originally Posted by ihsankhairir

I like both the original and the cross-processed pictures. What I think is a bit odd in the picture is the angle of the feet of the father. Looks a bit awkward.

lol I noticed that when I did the final bit of processing. With the little one running around, I don't think he knew which way to turn.

I am trying to have a play now, but am fumbling around in the dark. I will see if I can find any tutorials for cross processing.

[tyasa81]

Hi Nicola.... here's a tutorial for crossprocess... bear in mind that it's a very customized process and your result will differ with mine or even the tutorial...in fact i dont really like the green colour cast from the tutorial

Cross Processing in Photoshop - color negative art effect | PhotoshopSupport.com

if you read through that, here's what i did for the individual channel



i blow up the curve channel so you can see better... the red is steep s curves with g slightly gentle s with the blue with that weird high min and low max line... with the rgb curves as gentle s... i did not add more colour cast as in the tutorial as i feel there's no such need... i also note that if you find the shift in colour is weird for the skin you can brush it out in the mask using around 30% brush to slowly bring the colour back to normal...

you might also want to straighten the horizon as it is slightly down on the left side currently... please not that this is not meant as a harsh critique... i do like your picture as is... but since you ask what can be done in pp and i had a sudden motivation, felt that maybe it'll help you...

in the future if you really want the reddish sky... maybe you could wait for the sunset and add an off camera flash to light the people in the picture then it'll be sooc and it'll be nice... good luck and have fun with your pics

[NicolaB]

Thank you so much. ALL cc much appreciated - I really want to learn and improve.

It was sunset - I am making a concerted effort to shoot within two hours of sunset, but it was a grey overcast day and we were loosing the light here. I think that is not helping the colour.

I think I may go back to the raw as it was reasonably well exposed. I used a gradient mask to bring detail back in the sky and it is all looking a bit drab. I am going to try your process now - thank you so much. I will repost......

[NicolaB]

[IMG][/IMG]

I got side tracked as I found a new tool in LR. What I really want to achieve is like the
Flora Bella type actions. I just don't know where to start (don't want to cheat and buy them I want to learn!)

Is this any better - lake straightened and colour popped on the reeds? (I WILL get to the cross processing )
I put pink in the sky but now think perhaps I should have gone creamy?

[Ania Photo]

Sometime the best way to get that golden look you are looking for is lighting. The time you are shooting. Late afternoon at sunset is best. Back like the subject with the sunset.