portrait help

[XxkmoorexX]

Here is a candid portrait of my daughter taken 1/12/2012


Camera: D90
lens: 55-200mm VR
length: 55mm
speed: 1/250 sec
aperture: f/4
ISO: 250
flash: no

I'm feeling pretty discouraged about not really getting the look I want in pp. I feel *okay* about the composition and crop. I feel like the image feels flat and a bit too processed, but I'm learning lightroom and it's been hard to acheive the pop that I want without overcooking it. Soooo I feel like the seperation between subject and background is satisfactory enough, but I guess it's the midtone contrast I'm having issues with? Is the sharpening too much? I think I can also tell there's just a bit too much magenta? Any other CC is VERY welcome. Thank you!

[NicolaB]

Hi there

I think it is nearly there. Try pushing up the luminance on the orange to push up the skin tones, then bring down the exposure slightly.

Can you see across her cheeks and a spot on her nose where it looks slightly yellow? That is where your red channel has blown. There are lots of ways to bring it back, but just try painting over with the exposure brush and lowering that patch slightly and push up the recovery. (Assuming it has not blown completely that is.)

There is another way with creating virtual copies and exporting to CS5 if you have it?

I would pull back a little on the skin smoothing.

The colour looks good to me.
hth

[graciousness]

I actually don't think this image is overcooked. I love the colours and the softness around her!

However, I do find that her face, especially the eye area is just a little too soft. If you sharpen her eyes a little bit, this would 'pop' better.

The colour is fine, her skin tone is fine on my monitor. If you feel that it's too 'magenta', then just bring it down.

[XxkmoorexX]

Thanks for the great advice! I have sharpened the eyes quite a bit, but I can go back and try to refine them a little more. Thank you nicola for the tips on the color balance!

eta: I think you're right about the skin smoothing! That's probably adding to the "plastic" look I'm trying to stay away from plus her skin is flawless anyway- I was trying to soften the reflections across her forehead and nose.

[XxkmoorexX]

I went back and fine tuned a couple things. Is this any better? Or am I still blown in some spots? My eyes are TIRED

[tomservo51]

Are you artificially adding blur to the background? I'm trying to figure out why some of her hair is so soft. I think that is part of why it doesn't feel right to me. It's a good picture btw.

[XxkmoorexX]

No, I didn't blur anything in the photo.

[KimberlyH]

I think it's good. I love her expression and the colors are so vibrant.

[EmyB]

I think the contrast is overdone in the second version. The saturation possibly was overdone too (see her lips are all reddened). The first version is lovely.

I actually find the vibrant blue behind her too much, and overpowering, but this might be personal taste.

Lovely pic!

[XxkmoorexX]

Originally Posted by EmyB

I think the contrast is overdone in the second version. The saturation possibly was overdone too (see her lips are all reddened). The first version is lovely.

I actually find the vibrant blue behind her too much, and overpowering, but this might be personal taste.

Lovely pic!

Thank you! Trying to find a happy medium. Really appreciate your opinion!