To exile or not to exile?

[Bruce A]

This is a shot from 2009 of my better half enjoying a wine while looking out to sea from our rented holiday apartment. I took it with the 6mp still feature on a Samsung digital movie camera. The original was not too sharp, with blown out exposure from the afternoon sun (which is still visible, but not as bad). This was taken before I had decided to re-establish an old interest in this hobby so I knew much less then than I do now. My question is did I go too far in pp with this old jpeg file? It's cropped, had some increased exposure, some dodging and sharpening. I guess I'm trying to save an old favourite from the delete button or at least put in the exile folder which I'm considering to be the best option. Whatcha think folks?

Okay, I have now replaced the photo with another reprocessed one. There's not much more I think I can do. any better?


p_bbay_09_2 by banphotography, on Flickr

Camera Samsung Electronics HMX20
Exposure 0.005 sec (1/182)
Aperture f/2.6
Focal Length 24.9 mm
ISO Speed 50
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash No Flash

[BigFuzzy]

As an image for a photo album of memories, it's fine.
As a nice and proper portrait.. I'm not sure there's any saving it.
The PP you did on her eyes (particularly her right eye) makes it look totally unnatural.
Is there any way to re-crop it with more space in the direction she's looking? It feels too tight to me as it stands.

[Bruce A]

Thanks for your comment Al. I tend to agree with you especially about her eyes. I thought that might be a biggie as I too thought I went too far with the sharpener there. About the cropping - I did that because the background changes and I was trying for a relatively blank sheet behind her, however I may relook at that. I don't know why, I have plenty of great shots of my wife, but there's something about this one that makes me want to persevere with it. Though I guess it will end up in the exile folder

[kevingeary]

Don't take still pictures from video cameras. Waste of time.

[Bruce A]

Originally Posted by kevingeary

Don't take still pictures from video cameras. Waste of time.

Couldn't agree more, but one has to use what one has at the time.

[Bruce A]

I gave the shot another try with CS5 using a levels layer to give it more exposure in the darker areas, I then used a gaussian blur layer and brushed out what I wanted to remain sharp and cloned out a few marks (and er - don't tell her - a wrinkle or two )

This certainly won't be a portrait for print, but now for me it was worth a try to improve it. Hopefully, this time it's a little better.

[BigFuzzy]

Looks much better to me, well done especially considering what you were working with.

[Bruce A]

Thanks Al. I appreciate your comments/advice - made me try harder.

[graciousness]

What a big difference!! That second edit is now actually nice! You can see the lightness in her eyes and smile, and the light has now captured her hair which is almost a halo around her face. I see her eyes and they are nice and focused enough and she's so lovely! Now you can see why you want to keep it

I don't see why you couldn't print it. It doesn't have to be a big print, but just something for you to keep on your desk especially that it holds so close to your heart.

[Bruce A]

Thank you Graciousness, perhaps I will print it - if I can find room for another one of her.