First post

[5JsPhotography]

Hi everyone :) - my name is Michelle. I've been interested in photography for as long as I can remember but only moved past the point and shoot a couple months after the birth of my 5th baby (2-6-05) I've been practicing as much as possible with kids and nature shots trying to learn proper exposure etc. I shoot in RAW and am finally getting to where I make very little adjustments/corrections in photoshop. I have pse3 and just recently upgraded my ps6 to pscs2 for my bd ;)

I'm in the process of building my portfolio and am trying to decide which photos to include. So far I've only done one paid session and have 3 more coming up- 1 newborn this friday, a senior girl on Saturday and 8 mos old twin boys in 3 wks. I'm attaching a couple of the shots from my first session with someone elses child. My biggest question is should I include the ps'd versions in my portfolio? I guess it could make sense to since I do enjoy post tweaking as far as effects and am offering it... but should I also include the original version?

TFL!

Ok, having trouble with the file size so here are the links

original: http://photobucket.com/albums/v291/chels4js/?action=view&current=k4.jpg

ms version: http://photobucket.com/albums/v291/chels4js/?action=view&current=k4ms.jpg

original: http://photobucket.com/albums/v291/chels4js/?action=view&current=k1cr.jpg

ms version: http://photobucket.com/albums/v291/chels4js/?action=view&current=k1crms.jpg

[codex0]

Wow :shock:. Amazing eyes! Those are some awesome out of camera results, too :).

I would include photoshopped versions, and not originals, as I would end up giving the client photoshopped versions of my products. I wouldn't be afraid to include originals that I liked as they were, but wouldn't keep myself from presenting my best.

For instance - I'll probably be including my photoshopped results from a musical group shot i took recently, but definately won't be including the originals. It is fun to show off the originals to show people my photoshop skills, though - you may want to include a couple to show clients how you can manipulate photos for them :). Though I'm still pretty new to photoshop (have had it about a month), I'm learning...
The pictures are here http://www.codex0.info/penn.html

[Robert_Lay]

Dear Michelle,

Originals: k1cr is much sharper than k4. Both have flesh tones that seem too red - even have a slight tinge of blue.

Processed: k1crms is much sharper than k4ms. Both have flesh tones that seem more natural - both visually and from the color measurements.

Insofar as what you want to include in your portfolio, I have no idea what the rules say on that nor do I know what your own rationale' might be. However, from my perspective, I would never show anything but my best image from a given shot. What would be the point of showing an image which you judged to be inferior?

Regarding file sizes on POTN. You cannot win there. At 100kB limit (guideline for jpg), there is no way you can produce anything but low to low-medium quality JPG files with 1100 pixel maximum diagonal.

[Hellashot]

Your processed versions are way too soft. It's a baby not a 40 year old woman who doesn't want it to look her age. The sharpness of your originals is just fine.

[tim]

I prefer the originals. The soft focus effect is overused, instead i'd try increasing the saturation, and adding color to the eyes.