Jillian--Flat Color?

[Missionmiller6]

Hi Guys--

This is my first time posting here. I have a Nikon D5000, which I'm just starting to learn how to use. (mostly on auto, unfortunately) It sat for a while in my camera bag being just too intimidating to mess with but it's time to pull it out and conquer this beast! I took my daughter outside on an overcast day. Here's the importation info required:

Camera: Nikon D5000
Focal Length: 55 mm
1/80
f/5.6
ISO: 400
1/80s

I'm not 100% sure what all that means...but looking around here ya'll sure do! I'll get there...please be patient with me. Now for my questions..(I only have 2) )

1) her eyes are bright blue-jean blue...but they seem flat in this photo, is this something that needs to be fixed in editing the photo or are my settings wrong?

2) How is the overall look of the photo, is there something I'm not seeing that I should be?

All constructive criticism welcome...thanks in advance!

Janelle

From Jillian Bailey Dec 31 2011

[XxkmoorexX]

If you read your manual you should be able to change your picture settings in the menu. Every photographer has settings they like to use. I did a google search to see what different picture settings produced in order to find the settings which produce an image that I am quite satisfied with right out of the camera so I can lighten my photoshop work.

[Missionmiller6]

Thanks for your reply. I did read my manual when I first got my camera, it probably wouldn't hurt to brush up on what's in there again since it's been a while and I've not played with the camera much since then.

[autofocus]

Are you doing any photo editing? The image was shot in flat light which will produce a low contrast image like you have here. It can easily be fixed in post processing by adjusting the contrast.

[Missionmiller6]

I've just started looking into editing...the only editing tools I use currently is crop in Picasa and sometimes I lighten a dark photo. I was actually on here earlier tonight looking for suggestions on photo editing software (but got side tracked looking at photos)...upon looking further into making eyes "pop" so to speak...on google it sounds like it's a combination of light and photo editing.

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by Missionmiller6

I've just started looking into editing...the only editing tools I use currently is crop in Picasa and sometimes I lighten a dark photo. I was actually on here earlier tonight looking for suggestions on photo editing software (but got side tracked looking at photos)...upon looking further into making eyes "pop" so to speak...on google it sounds like it's a combination of light and photo editing.

What's mostly missing in your daughter's eyes is catchlights. Catchlights are reflections in the eyes off some light source, and when there, they will give more life to the image. They can be enhanced in post processing, and sometimes they can be added with some creative editing.

[Missionmiller6]

Thanks that's very helpful. 1 more question if I may...how do you achieve that outside--do you use external lights or try to get it from natural light? Sorry if this sounds incredibly ignorant...

[dmann]

I noticed you liked a previous edit I did, so I thought I would give this a go. I am also procastinating editing a shoot I recently did, lol.

I edit using photoshop elements 10. I adjusted the levels, upped the saturation. I also selected her eyes and dodged them to lighten them, and increased the saturation, and the increased the blues and cyans. I also increased yellows and greens to make the background more vibrant. If you want more detail, just ask.

Hope you don't mind me doing this, if so I'll take it down

[dmann]

oh also, I found using a flash helps bring out the facial features. That might help bring out her eyes, instead of relying on post processing.

[Missionmiller6]

Originally Posted by dmann

I noticed you liked a previous edit I did, so I thought I would give this a go. I am also procastinating editing a shoot I recently did, lol.

I edit using photoshop elements 10. I adjusted the levels, upped the saturation. I also selected her eyes and dodged them to lighten them, and increased the saturation, and the increased the blues and cyans. I also increased yellows and greens to make the background more vibrant. If you want more detail, just ask.

Hope you don't mind me doing this, if so I'll take it down

Oh my gosh you captured her PERFECTLY! wow...that's exactly what I was trying to capture (and failing miserably at! LOL) thank you, do you mind if I save this?

I'll also be looking into Photoshop Elements 10...is it very user friendly? I know everything has a learning curve---I'll look into it more, thank you VERY much!! and please let me know if you mind me saving a copy of your edit.

Thank you!