High School Softball

[XTi Guy]

Picture of my daughter taken through a fence with a little bit of PP.I`m trying to learn the PP process and welcome any and all C&C.

[MikeI]

I like the pose and especially the facial expression. It looks a tad soft and the coloring looks a little off.

[rcavanaughjr]

Looks like a nice capture to me. I love the emotion captured in her eyes.

These are my opinions...and you know what they say about opinions:D

I would crop a little off the top. Looks like a little too much dead space for me. Would have been nice to see her feet, but I know I get caught up in the moment of taking pictures somtimes and cut off things I wish I hadn't.

I don't know if it is just me, but the double fence in the background kinda bothers me. I don't know if that is a second field or if it is one of those temp fences they put up on a larger field. I would try to take one of them out. I know that you say you are trying learn the PP, and taking on a task like that will teach you a lot.

What software are you using for PP?

[dmwierz]

Guy,

Normally, a simple Auto Contrast will handle most through-the-fence shots. You might need to go back in and boost colors a little bit after that (pump up saturation).

I'd also suggest shooting from the other side of the plate to get more of her face and front, which tends to be a more flattering and dramatic pose.

For RH pitchers, shoot from the 3rd base side - for LH, shoot from 1st base.

I did a quick edit, with the results below, including a minor USM. I've also given you an example of another image taken through the fence, but from the other side of the plate.

Hope this helps.

[XTi Guy]

Thanks for the advice.All is welcome as thic PP is new to me.I wish I would have gotten her feet but sometimes this happens with us nob`s.There is an adjoining field so that explains the double fence.Not sure yet how to clean this up.I`m using Paint Shop Pro X only because thats what came with the computer I`m using.I didn`t crop the top off purposly(?) to add some text.This was her first Varsity win and she has only been throwing since Jan 07 and she`s a freshman.
dm, for some reason I can`t see the edit you did and would really like to see what you did.
I really appriceate all the advice.I`ll be asking for lots more in the future.

[dmwierz]

dm, for some reason I can`t see the edit you did and would really like to see what you did.


Guy, well, not being able to see, and not seeing are two different things.

Is your monitor calibrated? If not, your "eyes" can deceive you. The first thing I would do is perform some sort of monitor calibration.

If you place the two images side by side you should be able to see the differences in color saturation (I increased the depth of the reds), contrast (blacks should look blacker to you ) and sharpness (edges should appear sharper).

Here's what I did: I adjusted the curves, did an Auto Contrast and performed an 85/1/4 Unsharp Mask. The differences are subtle but noticeable if you look critically. Being able to visually analyze an image is an important part of learning how to post-process, however nothing done to your images was drastic. Performing a drastic edit would have ruined the image and made it look worse.

[XTi Guy]

dm,
My bad. When I first saw your post the images where not there.Must have been one of those Deals where we were both posting at the same time.I looked at what you did and while the changes you made were subtle they are noticable.What program do you use for your PP?Again thanks for the help.

[dmwierz]

dm,
My bad. When I first saw your post the images where not there.Must have been one of those Deals where we were both posting at the same time.I looked at what you did and while the changes you made were subtle they are noticable.What program do you use for your PP?Again thanks for the help.

Guy,

I use PhotoShop CS2.

The best book, IMHO, for learning the various tips on using PS for photography is Scott Kelby's The Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers that can be purchased most anywhere. Here's the latest version, for CS3:

http://************/2urhuo

Good luck,

Dennis
http://www.pbase.com/dmwierz45/sports_shots