What’s Your Preference?

KimberleyPhotography · #1 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 06:20 PM

Hi there!

I took this picture last weekend (manually focused), and since it was a little underexposed I lightented it a little and I also did some skin smoothing and some eye pop. Did I take it too far? I know it seems very red-ish but she really does have very rosy skin, I could have decreased it but then it woudlnt' be very true to life KWIM?

Anyways so is the eye pop too much? Is the skin smoothing too much? How is the exposure in general (now that its fixed...)

Camera: Nikon D40X
Exposure: 0.02 sec (1/50)
Aperture: f/3.2
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash

edited to add: I can take harsh critism so let me have it!

xxpinballxx · #2 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 07:05 PM

Im looking at it and am going back and forth every other second. In one thought the soft skin really gives a feeling of a baby's skin but then my mind says its soft but not that smooth looking...and the eyes are grat but with the softness of the skin again my mind goes to "Those cant be right of the camera".
I think for me its a matter of which I like best... I think eyes are what makes a portrait and these are some great baby blues. If it were my photo I'd try one with the eyes softened just a tad to bring it into a more believable look for the rest of the image and one I would sharpen the rest of it and bring it up to the level of crispness as the eyes. Then see which I liked best.
It really is a hard one for me to say yes its too much or no it fine.
I dont think the reddishness to her skin is a problem at all. Most little babies like her have that rosey skin tone with the slightest activity.
Sorry i couldnt be more help......

lputman · #3 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 07:11 PM

I've seen shots like these all around and some folks absolutely love the eyes looking like this. My personal opinion is that the eyes are too much. I'm also not a fan of smoothing a baby's skin, but I'm ok with it on this photo but would definately back down on the eyes.

Liz Caldwell · #4 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 07:13 PM

I took a look at the fullsized one on your flickr, the skin looks fine to me, and the eyes look beautiful... except for one minor distraction, the reflection in the pupils. Normally that's fine, but in this case you already have 2 nice catchlights on either side of the pupil, so I think if you darkened the pupil more it make them look sharper.

Otherwise, looks beautiful.

#5 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 07:42 PM

i think that i like everything but the "eye pop", its just too much, makes them look fake

kellydrever1 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 08:39 PM

maybe the eyes are a touch too much but she is gorgeous!!!! What a great photo.

KimberleyPhotography · #7 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 09:01 PM

Thanks for all the critique. I do agree that this 'style' if you can call it that is a little overdone. The more I look at it the more I feel like I have ruined the picture by going overbord. I am going to return to the pic and do a redo.

KimberleyPhotography · #8 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 12:35 AM

So this is the original:

And here is my second try, I think it is improved... what do you think?? Is it any better?

for reference my first (overdone) copy:

Father Bob · #9 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 04:48 PM

I actually prefer the original photo. While you did a good job on the post processing, I think it is more appropriate to older subjects, not to kids. It makes them look like beauty contestants. Just my opinion.
Al