Help with Processing

[mjmattson]

I've recently gotten my first DSLR and am working on learning all the aspects of it.

I'd appreciate any feedback (composition, exposure, etc) but especially regarding processing.

I have CS3 but haven't had tons of training in it. So I'm not sure how to take photographs to the next step.

If anyone has tips or ideas on how to process this image I'd appreciate it.
I already did minimal processing which I believe just consisted of bumping up the saturation a bit.



Specs:
Canon T1i
ISO 200
Shutter Speed 1/300
Aperture f/5.6

[windrider86]

First let me ask you what sort of look were you going for and what kind of processing are you wanting for your end result?
I can tell you that parts of her skin are rather red but yet some are blown out which some of that can be fixed by using an adjustment layer.
I'm not sold on the idea of having her smack in the middle of the frame. Try copping it down with a portrait crop (vertical) and leave more room in front of her than behind.

[mjmattson]

Yeah, I realized after doing about 2 hours of shooting with her that I had a tendency to put her in the middle. I've learned to correct that in my photos from here on out.

My idea of where I want to go with these photos is to make her face still sharp, but more equalized. I've gotten this effect through gaussian blur, just giving the photo a softer look, but then it also makes her look out of focus. So I think what you're saying, with the evening out her skin tones would be the basis of what I'm trying to do.

I'm familiar with adjustment layers somewhat.However I'm not sure how to incorporate a change in hue into the adjustment layer effectively.

If you have any quick tips or ideas on how to convey it to me that'd be great.

Thanks so much for your time!!!

[windrider86]

One thing I almost always do is to duplicate the background layer twice (always keep the original image) Take the second layer and over sharpen it. Then on the top layer erase the eyes . This will leave the eyes crisp and clear. You can even lower the opacity of that level if you want the rest of the image to be a bit sharper.
And, if you just have some areas you want to remain soft or sharp use a mask layer and paint away those areas.
Blotchy skin can be tricky, especially when its blown out (all detail is lost) Using Gaussian blue is one way. another trick i learned i the clone tool. Set the blend mode to dark or light (depending on what you want to do) keep your opacity level down and start cloning away. This works great on under the eye circles and even wrinkles

[mjmattson]

Thanks so much!! I actually understood everything you said! Maybe my photoshop skills are getting better!

I'll try to post the finalized picture here when I am able to get to my photoshop computer so you can see what I've done

Thanks!