First Attempt High Key

[alexsnana]

This was my first attempt and followed all instructions, background metered at f11, foreground at f8. I shot RAW at ISO100 using DigReb. I had to shoot at f16 in order for the whole photo not to be blown out but now it is too dark in the orginal w/o PP. I also don't care for my PP, looks too overdone - I am still in the learning stage on this so any tips would be greatly appreaciated. Any CC are welcome!!

Debbie G


Original/no pp
65835

my attempt at pp
65836

[lostdoggy]

I'm thinking you want the BG to be a little darker, correct . To show more detail of the BG and make the FG POP.

In PS you can use level or curve and make the adjustment for the BG by adjusting the hightlight and the shadows and then play w/ the midtone. I don't use curve much but in level start w/ 10/1/245 and then slide the midtone to the point that the shadows in the BG is to your liking. Select the mask in level and use a soft brush to reveal the subject of the bottom layer using black as your fg color. If you over did it use white as FG color to unreveal the bottom layer. It may sound confusing but after you do it a few time it'll be easy.

BTW if you want to see the edit result from others turn on the edit is ok box and I'll show you what I mean.

[alexsnana]

lostdoggy,

Thanks for your reply. will give it a try. I can't seem to figure out how to turn on image edit ok! i'm sure it's easy and obvious but it is getting past me!!

Debbie G

[alexsnana]

DUH, took me long enough but I found image editing ok. Edit away!!

[lostdoggy]

What do you think???

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/lostdoggy/POTN%20uploads/HK_062_OrgPS.jpg

[alexsnana]

[quote=lostdoggy]What do you think???

It's good but I would like to see the bg a bit whiter/brighter. Thanks for the help!!!

Debbie

[Samiad]

Your post processing in the first post is not that bad actually, at least to me.

[alexsnana]

Your post processing in the first post is not that bad actually, at least to me.

Wow, thanks! Makes me feel good that I may be doign something right :)

[MiG82]

Why are you adjusting exposure with the aperture? Why not choose an aperture using other criteria and then fiddle with ISO and shutter speed?

[steveroberts]

have you used flash for this?
To get a white background you must expose the background 2 stops over your foreground not one... this is why your background is dark

MiG82: if you are using flash your shutter speed is irrelevant (staying in the bounds of the cameras flash sync speed of course) exposure is always set using the aperture with flash

[MiG82]

But you can vary flash power can't you? You might be able to tell that I'm a bit of a flash noob. I did know that the shutter speed for flash on my 20D is irrelevant up to 1/250, but I use it so rarely that it didn't cross my mind. Which is about as good as not knowing in the first place :)

[alexsnana]

[quote=steveroberts]have you used flash for this?
To get a white background you must expose the background 2 stops over your foreground not one... this is why your background is dark

Thanks, I had the bg at f11 and foreground at f8, next time I will try the bg at f16 and see if that helps

Debbie G

[StealthLude]

[quote=steveroberts]have you used flash for this?
To get a white background you must expose the background 2 stops over your foreground not one... this is why your background is dark

Thanks, I had the bg at f11 and foreground at f8, next time I will try the bg at f16 and see if that helps

Debbie G

Are you using a good light meter? I like to look at lighting ratios.. in .. well. ratios. I like to use a +1 Ev difference on the main vs backdround. Which is a 2:1 ratio.

[mickle]

Selected background and altered levels to get it white.
Adjusted levels curves for foreground.
Couldn't sharpen it a lot due to jpeg artifacts.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v440/mickleuk/HK_062_PPcopy.jpg