Out of my comfort zone...

[xinman]

So here goes, I don't normally do many people shots (at least not ones I share) and this is what I feel like is some of my better post-processing. It was taken with an Olympus e-620 with an OM 50mm f/1.8 lens. It was a casual shot as she walked through the house. I pp'ed using gimp, nothing major just some minor stuff. Does it look natural? I would like to know what would make this shot look better to YOU!

Exif info:
Exposure: 0.025 sec (1/40)
Aperture: f/2.0 (I think)
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 1000
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Exposure Mode: Auto
White Balance: Manual
Sharpness: Normal

[windrider86]

A couple of things. First her eyes are out of focus. Thats a very important factor in doing portraits.
The shadows under eyes are not helping. They can be removed by using your clone tool and setting the blend mode to lighten. Do this at a lower opacity level and with several layers.

[djase1]

Just seems a bit out of focus. This happens to me some. I love her expressions though, sharpen it up and you have a great capture.

[xinman]

Thanks for both the comments. I seem to have trouble with the eyes are out of focus, they seem in focus to me. I guess I just need to see two shots that are similar one with and one without. The shadows under the eyes are ugly, I do agree, I will work on that in post processing. I'm not sure how sharp I want the shot as I softened it a bit to get it where it is. I have attached the original so you can see what it did look like and how it looks now. I do value your thoughts, and I would like more feedback.

I must admit that the focus may be off, I had to manual focus the OM lens. I really haven't done a lot of manual focusing and this was really just a test shot as she walked by to check the lens I just got from ebay.

Thanks,
Dan

[wanelad]

Personally I would be more careful in selecting the background eg a solid colour or something interesting.

Secondly I would have her look elsewhere other than straight at the lense but these are only personal preferences the shot looks good to me and the eyes look fine

[davewb]

I love this photo. Call me strange, but over photoshopped portraits are mostly unappealing to me.

I think the slightly out of focus eyes work wonderfully here - it draws one into her eyes to see the soul underneath.

Her natural beauty shines through here - a woman can be beautiful without tonnes of make up or trying to achieve unrealistic 'perfection' in photoshop.

Dave

[InGodsHands]

Originally Posted by davewb

I love this photo. Call me strange, but over photoshopped portraits are mostly unappealing to me.

I think the slightly out of focus eyes work wonderfully here - it draws one into her eyes to see the soul underneath.

Her natural beauty shines through here - a woman can be beautiful without tonnes of make up or trying to achieve unrealistic 'perfection' in photoshop.

Dave

ty! i totally agree. most people dont feel that way

[davewb]

Originally Posted by InGodsHands

ty! i totally agree. most people dont feel that way

A revolution is starting! No more unrealistic representations of women (and men!) in advertising images!

Perfection is too boring.

Dave

[xinman]

Originally Posted by wanelad

Personally I would be more careful in selecting the background eg a solid colour or something interesting.

Secondly I would have her look elsewhere other than straight at the lense but these are only personal preferences the shot looks good to me and the eyes look fine

Thanks wanelad, I tried to get the most best background for the shot, there wasn't much too work with. I do need to work on having the person look in another direction. Thanks

Originally Posted by davewb

I love this photo. Call me strange, but over photoshopped portraits are mostly unappealing to me.

I think the slightly out of focus eyes work wonderfully here - it draws one into her eyes to see the soul underneath.

Her natural beauty shines through here - a woman can be beautiful without tonnes of make up or trying to achieve unrealistic 'perfection' in photoshop.

Dave

Thanks Dave, this is good to hear. I don't like over photoshopped stuff either but a little touch up generally looks nice. That's really the effect I'm going for, something to make the shots just a touch smoother. I'm still not really seeing the slightly out of focus eyes but I will try to pay a bit more attention to that.

Also thanks to InGodsHands for the added support.

Anyone else want to give feedback, please do.

[FormElement]

One comment I see missing...

Boost the exposure half a stop. Also, or alternately, pull both sides of your levels histogram in a bit.