Trying Portraits

[shootme]

I'd appreciate critique or thoughts as to composition and as to the changes in pp (photo 2) I made to the original Photo-1. Thanks in advance. S

[Greg McCary]

I like the processing on the first one the best but the crop on the second. Can you put her hand all the way in the frame on the second one?

[AgingEyes]

Did you add the wrinkles, too?

[jetrim]

The second shot seems to be processed to emulate the "glamour" look and typically it works much better on subjects with very smooth skin. It *could* work, but you need to address the skin things beforehand. Notice how much more prominent the wrinkles under the eyes and on the neck become? Notice how it highlights the stray hairs around her head? The lips need to be more strongly defined also. If you sharpen them like the eyes, it will give the illusion of lipgloss.

I agree with Greg though, that the crop is better, with a few tweeks - I would include all of the hand and all of the necklace (even if it meant a little clone work around the bottom to remove the artifacts of the foreground glass rim)

[shootme]

Thanks all for the comments, I'd like to take away the wrinkles but I'm afraid I'm not good enough with the software I use (Nikon Capture), I'll give it a try with the suggestions you've given me and then repost the result. Cheers S.

[Anbesol]

Do you not have photoshop? A simple clone/heal could eliminate those wrinkles very easily.

I would also eliminate the clasp on her necklace, and in the crop I would keep the pendant on her necklace at the bottom too. As was said, softening the wrinkles (though there really isn't much), and cut off some of the stray hair (which there is a lot). Finally I would eliminate the bra strap.

She sure is a great subject though, and a great expression captured. I actually like what you did in the second, but I think you brought the high tones just a wee bit too high.

[shootme]

Do you not have photoshop? A simple clone/heal could eliminate those wrinkles very easily.

I would also eliminate the clasp on her necklace, and in the crop I would keep the pendant on her necklace at the bottom too. As was said, softening the wrinkles (though there really isn't much), and cut off some of the stray hair (which there is a lot). Finally I would eliminate the bra strap.

She sure is a great subject though, and a great expression captured. I actually like what you did in the second, but I think you brought the high tones just a wee bit too high.

She is a great subject and has volunteered to let me take more photos. I am embarrassed to say that I do have Photoshop, but I don;t know how to use it. :mad2: I lack post processing skills and haven't had any time to take a course. You're welcome to have a hand at the original if you like? Cheers, S.

[jetrim]

She is indeed a great subject with a timeless classic beauty.
Here's an edit to illustrate some of the ideas Anbesol and I referred to previously.

1)Crop of the original "as shot" version
2)Skin has been smoothed as required
3)Cloning done at elbow (lower left) / pendant (lower center) / bra strap (center left) / forehead (one stray hair in center) / & around edges of hair (to remove frizz) / necklace (to remove clasp)
4)Eyes and lips sharpened with brush (70%)
5)Eyes lightened and saturation boosted at Iris
6)Lips dodged and airbrush overlay of burgundy red @ 5% opacity
7)Other very limited dodge/burn around face at very low opacity to accentuate features
8)"Glamour" film filter effect applied overall (5%)
9)High Pass Sharpen (radius 40, strength 37)
10)watermark & save

*NOTE* I did contact ShootMe for permission before posting the edit

[shootme]

She is indeed a great subject with a timeless classic beauty.
Here's an edit to illustrate some of the ideas Anbesol and I referred to previously.

Wow great job. To save me embarrassment I won't post my new pp attempt. Thanks for that. Jim.

[Greg McCary]

Nice work Jetrim.

[readingr]

Jetrim,

That is a stunning edit - and as you said she has a timeless beauty, reminds me of Audrey Hepburn.

Roger R.

[shootme]

Jetrim,

That is a stunning edit - and as you said she has a timeless beauty, reminds me of Audrey Hepburn.

Roger R.

You might see more of Audrey in the near future, at least I hope so...