Does this look natural?

[xinman]

EXIF:
ISO: 200
AP: 2.8
Exp: 1/8
Camera: Fujifilm S8100fd

Please disregard the background as I only took this shot to work on post processing the portrait. Please let me know if you see anything that I could improve to make it more natural.

[Samanax]

Just looking at the face, it looks too bluish/magenta. Did you do any white balance correction on this? The light on the top of the hair is distracting.

[xinman]

Samanax Just looking at the face, it looks too bluish/magenta. Did you do any white balance correction on this? The light on the top of the hair is distracting.

No, I really hadn't done any white balance. I'm trying to get a good work flow down. I suppose I should add that to the list, probably close to the top. The light on the top of the hair is much better than in the original. I agree it is still distracting. In hindsight this was not the best picture to start with, shame on me for rushing.

Thanks for your input Samanax, I will make sure I add that to the list of procedures.

I'm still open to more input on whether it looks natural.

[katejohn]

to answer your question, to me, it doesnt look 'natural' . not to be harsh, just answering the question. but it's nothing that better lighting and another shot can't fix. keep trying and do a search for lighting techniques. that helped me TONS!!

[jiminyClickit]

xinman, Welcome

The background is part of the image you presented, so it plays a part in my suggestion: This is a good time to use portrait orientation in a shot. It will lessen the impact of a b/g you don't want us to consider, and it would allow more room top and bottom so your subject doesn't look " squished."

Centering doesn't help, and a straight-on pose leaves her eyes looking like footballs (US football). For those reasons and the color issue, and whatever you mean by "natural," I hope you'll present another better photo that has PP improvements, so we can have a better understanding of what you hope to accomplish.

[xinman]

katejohn: Well, I posted it here to hear the truth. I will keep in mind the lighting techniques. And see if I can understand and practice those more. Thanks.

jiminyClickit:

The background is part of the image you presented, so it plays a part in my suggestion: This is a good time to use portrait orientation in a shot. It will lessen the impact of a b/g you don't want us to consider, and it would allow more room top and bottom so your subject doesn't look " squished."

I agree with you, the background wasn't planned it was a quick shot. Obviously not setup very good. The picture wasn't really ever meant to be viewed by anyone other than me.

Centering doesn't help, and a straight-on pose leaves her eyes looking like footballs (US football). For those reasons and the color issue, and whatever you mean by "natural," I hope you'll present another better photo that has PP improvements, so we can have a better understanding of what you hope to accomplish.

I will have to play with some other poses, I will take all of this into account and work on a new photo.

Thanks for all the advice, it really is nice having people that know look at this. I've actually had some family and friends look at it and they didn't suggest anything. So thanks, I'm here to improve my techniques. I will work on posting a new photo in the next week or so.

In the meantime, if there is anymore thoughts anyone has please feel free to suggest them. I will take them into consideration for the next shot.

[xxpinballxx]

I will consider the question you posed and nothing else....
as for the post processing you used its hard to tell......we don't have to original to compare it to. You do need to warm the image up a bit and the light is harsh.
Especially the light from above.....
As far as taking shots to work on proessing you need to get a good portrait first and then try getting the look right. If you have a poorly lit photo to start you cant really do the work you need to or see the results as well as you could with a properly setup shot.

[xinman]

xxpinballxx: Yeah, I've realized that I need to start over, new image. Work on my photography skills (lighting, pose, white balance, etc.) Then I will work on some post processing. Since you mentioned you didn't have the original to compare the processing I have done here is a link to the before and after shot.

Before and After

[jiminyClickit]

xinman,

There you are: the original does look more natural by comparison. The PP has smoothed your subject into a heavily-madeup look, even though the skin looks a little better. The office situational lighting seems right in the original, if not flattering to subject. You can do better work on a new shot; good choice.