Hello Dolly!

[Clicker]

Found these too Ladies on a balcony and Just wanted to get some feedback ... It's strange I know... What are your thoughts on Color? I felt this is okay, since its a strange subject to begin with.. but wondering how it looks to people with a more trained eye... Any other thoughts on this are welcome as well. ( as always)

[Steph_B]

Found these too Ladies on a balcony and Just wanted to get some feedback ... It's strange I know... What are your thoughts on Color? I felt this is okay, since its a strange subject to begin with.. but wondering how it looks to people with a more trained eye... Any other thoughts on this are welcome as well. ( as always)

Hi Rachel,

This shot looks a bit soft to me. Have you tried to increase the saturation just a notch? The day was also quite overcast. Maybe warming up the colors will have some benefit... That's just a guess!

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Steph.

[Clicker]

Hi Rachel,

This shot looks a bit soft to me. Have you tried to increase the saturation just a notch? The day was also quite overcast. Maybe warming up the colors will have some benefit... That's just a guess!

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Steph.

Steph, thanks for your help on this... I thought it was a bit soft, but they were sorta "paper-mache' ish" I tried Unsharp Mask... Here it is...

Any other comments welcome!

[gahspidy]

Rachel,
The colors look good to me and the detail is there, it just seems a little flat because there was no lighting on the subjects. But just a very slight increase in levels could resolve that some. It isn't bad at all in that regard. Overall , I like the image and it was a good subject. I am feeling only that I would like to see these gals from a slightly wider point of view showing some more of them. I feel they are cut off a bit steep. Good shot , I do like it.

[Clicker]

Rachel,
The colors look good to me and the detail is there, it just seems a little flat because there was no lighting on the subjects. But just a very slight increase in levels could resolve that some. It isn't bad at all in that regard. Overall , I like the image and it was a good subject. I am feeling only that I would like to see these gals from a slightly wider point of view showing some more of them. I feel they are cut off a bit steep. Good shot , I do like it.

I tried my hand at increasing the white arrow on levels, changed to "202" I have some other angles as well... let me know if I'm close to what you were thinking...

The last one is not going to be the same color, as i felt the more muted / natural colors worked for the image ( the first post I wanted to bring out the red in the one I call "dolly"

[Jezz]

can i have a play?
do you mind?

[shesells]

These give me the same feeling as the clown that's smiling and happy looking but scary. I think that by the way you photographed them, you got the same feeling. Once you pumped up the color, even more so.The angle of the shot is perfect to add to the overall wierdness. They look like two that would come to your hotel room and murder you. lol The sharp angles in the photo also add to an uneasyness, like the angle of the roof and the rusty railing pushing against her big ones. Also the blood red of her hair. I honestly think this photo would definately qualify in " photography as art ". I presume this scene was set up for little kiddies and you've managed to make it evil. The 3rd pic is equally good.
Good going!
Kit

[gahspidy]

The increase in the levels looks better. I like the shot, it's just that there is alot going on around them with the angles, textures, windows, rafters, railing . . .and they are just as weathered and worn as their surroundings so they sort of blend in too much rather than stand out strong. Still good though. . . if you wanna have a go at some ps editing, I would try selecting both of the vivacious vixens and then desaturate and darken all else some degree and leave these gals as they are. They might really pop out of the picture then. ( Not that parts of " Dolly " aren't already popping out of my monitor. eh hem)

[Clicker]

can i have a play?
do you mind?

do you mean can you make adjustments and repost them? If that's what you mean, No, I don't mind at all. Just let me know what you did so i can recreate it!! Thanks!

[Clicker]

These give me the same feeling as the clown that's smiling and happy looking but scary. I think that by the way you photographed them, you got the same feeling. Once you pumped up the color, even more so.The angle of the shot is perfect to add to the overall wierdness. They look like two that would come to your hotel room and murder you. lol The sharp angles in the photo also add to an uneasyness, like the angle of the roof and the rusty railing pushing against her big ones. Also the blood red of her hair. I honestly think this photo would definately qualify in " photography as art ". I presume this scene was set up for little kiddies and you've managed to make it evil. The 3rd pic is equally good.
Good going!
Kit

lol! I know exactly what you mean, for me it's pictures of people in costume that I don't like. Especially when my sister sends me pictures of my neices and they are sitting on the lap of a complete stranger dressed as a bunny rabbit, and only one eye is showing through his costume *creepy* . Actually, This is a year 'round set up! Its been there for years! Thanks for your feedback!

[Clicker]

The increase in the levels looks better. I like the shot, it's just that there is alot going on around them with the angles, textures, windows, rafters, railing . . .and they are just as weathered and worn as their surroundings so they sort of blend in too much rather than stand out strong. Still good though. . . if you wanna have a go at some ps editing, I would try selecting both of the vivacious vixens and then desaturate and darken all else some degree and leave these gals as they are. They might really pop out of the picture then. ( Not that parts of " Dolly " aren't already popping out of my monitor. eh hem)

Okay, thats my first ever successful levels change. I like your desaturation Idea, will try my hand at it. And yes, Dolly is sorta 3-D isn't she?

[Clicker]

The increase in the levels looks better. I like the shot, it's just that there is alot going on around them with the angles, textures, windows, rafters, railing . . .and they are just as weathered and worn as their surroundings so they sort of blend in too much rather than stand out strong. Still good though. . . if you wanna have a go at some ps editing, I would try selecting both of the vivacious vixens and then desaturate and darken all else some degree and leave these gals as they are. They might really pop out of the picture then. ( Not that parts of " Dolly " aren't already popping out of my monitor. eh hem)

Gary, I desaturated the background by -43 Do you feel that Dolly >pops< more?? It really wasn't that much editing ( but I'm the patient type when it comes to stuff like that) Well, I had it ready to post, then re-read your suggestions again and you said to desat & darken, I had only desaturated... so, i darkened, but there's still some rough spots...
the second one is desat ONLY.

[Steph_B]

Gary, I desaturated the background by -43 Do you feel that Dolly >pops< more?? It really wasn't that much editing ( but I'm the patient type when it comes to stuff like that) Well, I had it ready to post, then re-read your suggestions again and you said to desat & darken, I had only desaturated... so, i darkened, but there's still some rough spots...
the second one is desat ONLY.

OH YEAH! This works for me. It has some definite appeal and interest. You cannot look at it without wondering what's going on there. The first figure looks like her hair is matted with blood that also splashed onto the balcony rail (ooooh... I am getting really morbid! some recent posts definitely got to me!)...

What I mean is that the desat. of the BG clearly emphasized the first subject. Now they really look imposing, menacing ... and a bit crazy too....

Cool... in a weird way !

Cheers,

Steph.

[Clicker]

thanks for your help!

[gahspidy]

thanks for your help!

Rachel,
Nice work. . .and now that you have given me a chance to see both versions, I think just the desat without darkening is the way to go. Try a bit more like -50. I was going to tell you to also do the railing in front but mnay not have to go that far. Good work, and I like the point of view of these gals the more I view it.

[Jezz]

Well here it is, i made it a bit scary i think.

I firstly took a different crop including the pully system.
Selected the two "dollys" desaturatedthe background, and did some level adjustments, might have gone a bit far in the levels but i wantedthem to really pop out.

It was a 2 minute job so ignor the roughness, plus it was a low res file to.

[Clicker]

Rachel,
Nice work. . .and now that you have given me a chance to see both versions, I think just the desat without darkening is the way to go. Try a bit more like -50. I was going to tell you to also do the railing in front but mnay not have to go that far. Good work, and I like the point of view of these gals the more I view it.

The darker one was a quick job, i used the magic wand, just to give an idea of how it would look.. I too like the desat without darkening, because with it dark - it still brings in other elements, such as the angles of the roof and the angles of the wood supports underneath the roof, coupled with the french pane windows... its too much in such a small space! I will try desaturating more... Thanks for your help with PS pointers! I'm still learning, next i want to try working with layers and masking......

and Steph, the message above was thanking you.....forgot to change the title !

[Clicker]

Well here it is, i made it a bit scary i think.

I firstly took a different crop including the pully system.
Selected the two "dollys" desaturatedthe background, and did some level adjustments, might have gone a bit far in the levels but i wantedthem to really pop out.

It was a 2 minute job so ignor the roughness, plus it was a low res file to.

Actually, the photo I posted was not full frame.. the roof has a water tower with an Armadillo on the top and it was Just too much going on!

I cropped it quickly and sorta liked the results, but I REALLY like your crop!

The Removal of color to the background is awesome, even if it was a quick job, You'll have to give me tips on how you did so quickly ...
Right now I am just using the magic wand for solid colors, the Square selector for larger areas, and the lasso to rope off areas that are easy to outline... If your secret is working in layers or masking... I haven't gotten that far, but hope to !
I like the new "feel" you have created with your adjustments to the photo.. Thanks!

[Jezz]

No problems Rachel, for a really rough and ready selection tool i often use the magnetic one, it follows the the solid edges of an object, really easy to use and it works in no time.

[Clicker]

No problems Rachel, for a really rough and ready selection tool i often use the magnetic one, it follows the the solid edges of an object, really easy to use and it works in no time.

I've got PS Elements, and have found the " Brush Selection tool" i Love it.
It allows you to select and then zoom while keeping it selected!

I'm not sure if PS Elements has " magnetic selection" Maybe the magic wand may be the closest....

[Jezz]

not sure that it is the same, i use PS 7 so that might be the only one that has it?

not sure sorry, but your method seems ok.