Eye Reflections

[dmann]

Hi!

I have been really trying to get the eyes to "POP" in portraits and was under exposing most images until recently.

My main questions are: did I make the eyes pop?, how is my exposure? and lastly are the reflections in her eyes too much? If so, how do I minimize them while shooting and in pp.

Thanks!

EXIF


f4
SS 1/60
ISO 400

Taken on a Canon t1i 50mm 1.8

[Peach]

I do a few tricks in post (for eyes) that I'd be happy to write a tutorial for, but first: what kind of post work do/can you do?

[dmann]

Originally Posted by Peach

I do a few tricks in post (for eyes) that I'd be happy to write a tutorial for, but first: what kind of post work do/can you do?

To be honest I am comfortable with my PSE 10 but I don't know a lot of tricks and layering is kind of a mystery for me. I would really appreciate a tutorial if you don't mind. I don't usually do much on the eyes but I would like to know how to bring them out.

These are the tools and features I usually use:

levels
saturation
smart brush
impressionist brush
clone stamp
dodge/burn
quick select
healing

I didn't use these on this image though.

[sk66]

IMO, you did quite well. The catchlights in her rt eye are a bit much, starting to overwhelm a little...Her Lt eye is better. But really, not much to complain about.

[Peach]

Originally Posted by dmann

To be honest I am comfortable with my PSE 10 but I don't know a lot of tricks and layering is kind of a mystery for me. I would really appreciate a tutorial if you don't mind. I don't usually do much on the eyes but I would like to know how to bring them out.

These are the tools and features I usually use:

levels
saturation
smart brush
impressionist brush
clone stamp
dodge/burn
quick select
healing

I didn't use these on this image though.

Excellent! I'm not familiar with PSE so I was unsure if it had the tools I use. It looks like it does.

Basically what I do is this:

I zoom in pretty close to all the way (in PS is 1600%).
I choose the burn tool and put it at 1-2 pixels, 0 hardness, and anywhere from 50%-100% opacity.

I then do ONE complete pass over the very outside of the iris (where there's already a natural dark line) and one pass over the pupil. Don't do many passes because when you unclick then reclick over an area, it doubles the burn.

I'll tone the opacity down to 25% and go over the iris but not the catchlights.

Then I'll take a dodge brush set at 2 pixels or so (this really depends on how far you've zoomed in) and with the opacity set to around 50%. I'll make one pass over the catch lights.

Then increase the size of the brush a bit and do a single pass over the iris.

Hope that all made sense.
You could also try a selective sharpening mask, too, but I'm not sure if PSE has the tools to do that.

[Mark Engelhart]

As far as the catch lights in the eyes. It looks like you were using available ambient light. I once was doing portraits outdoors using the sun to the back and a reflector for key light and to gain catch lights. What I shouldn't have done is wear a white shirt to the shoot because it left a very ackward catch light in the eyes. Sorry for the long story, but my point is be aware of any bright areas in front of the subject that can create an unwanted catch light. I now look at the first shot I take and if I see unwanted light I'll use something to shade or hide the bright spot.

[dmann]

Originally Posted by Mark Engelhart

As far as the catch lights in the eyes. It looks like you were using available ambient light. I once was doing portraits outdoors using the sun to the back and a reflector for key light and to gain catch lights. What I shouldn't have done is wear a white shirt to the shoot because it left a very ackward catch light in the eyes. Sorry for the long story, but my point is be aware of any bright areas in front of the subject that can create an unwanted catch light. I now look at the first shot I take and if I see unwanted light I'll use something to shade or hide the bright spot.

Hmmm....It was in front of a north facing window and I was actually wearing black. I wonder if what you are seeing is the flash? (580 EX II) There were some other shots that I could see the flash and the window in her eyes. Example attached. How would I avoid this without taking the flash off camera? I don't mind reflections but I think these were too much.

[Mark Engelhart]

Originally Posted by dmann

Hmmm....It was in front of a north facing window and I was actually wearing black. I wonder if what you are seeing is the flash? (580 EX II) There were some other shots that I could see the flash and the window in her eyes. Example attached. How would I avoid this without taking the flash off camera? I don't mind reflections but I think these were too much.

In the new example I do see the flash right on the edge of the pupil. This I would remove in photoshop. On the original post I see a vertical line at about 7 o'clock in both eyes that is not the flash. It has always amazed me what will show up in the eyes. Tha is the only reflection that is distracting to me. All you can do is spot it early and try to shade it or hide it from the eye.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by dmann

Hmmm....It was in front of a north facing window and I was actually wearing black. I wonder if what you are seeing is the flash? (580 EX II) There were some other shots that I could see the flash and the window in her eyes. Example attached. How would I avoid this without taking the flash off camera? I don't mind reflections but I think these were too much.

To avoid "seeing the flash", and preventing the harsh window reflections you were getting, Diffuse or bounce the light (or both).

BTW, In the second image I have more problem with the DOF falling off too quickly than I do with the catchlights..... nice job.

[ccting]

Originally Posted by Mark Engelhart

As far as the catch lights in the eyes. It looks like you were using available ambient light. I once was doing portraits outdoors using the sun to the back and a reflector for key light and to gain catch lights. What I shouldn't have done is wear a white shirt to the shoot because it left a very ackward catch light in the eyes. Sorry for the long story, but my point is be aware of any bright areas in front of the subject that can create an unwanted catch light. I now look at the first shot I take and if I see unwanted light I'll use something to shade or hide the bright spot.

Wow, that's a new info for me!..
Anyway very nice pic