I need a little help with this photo please.

[archaeoman]

My wife took this with her PnS and has asked me to print a 5x7 or 4x6 for her and matte/frame it. We own a kennel and this dog recently passed away and we are going to send it to the owner. We take pictures of all our clients for this reason. Morbid maybe but very appreciated when they have something after their pet is gone.

I have tried to tweak it, removed some of the distractions and tried to get a little pop out of it but with no luck. Here is the original without the mods I made


Thanks in advance - Mark

[PhotosGuy]

You will probably get more help if you post a link to the original image file. What's the point of trying to fix a web image?

[tzalman]

Working from the original file you you can probably crop it like this and still have enough for at least a decent 4x6 or 5x7. Then lighten the shadows with a simple curve adjustment with the higher tones anchored or masked and sharpen with USM.
Elie

[Mike_Canon5D]

Here is a quick edit. Cropped to fit a 5x7, some levels, curves, saturation adjustments, and a simple frame with a bit of space at the bottom to place the dogs' name if desired. If a message is to be typed in, then should crop wider to use the brick bg for the message. Sorry about the loss, pets are just another member of the family.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1426/1061316347_be0dda56ae_o.jpg

[archaeoman]

Thanks.

Here is a link to the original image:

http://www.markbillingsphotography.com/images/DSCF1361.JPG (http://www.markbillingsphotography.com/images/DSCF1361.JPG)

[Mike_Canon5D]

Any idea if any of the posted samples fit your needs?

[archaeoman]

I like tzalman's attempt. They are all very close to what I came up with. It was a PnS after all.

Thanks for the replies and attempts.

Mark

[PhotosGuy]

I can email you the 3MB .tiff if you'd like.
Levels 1 is an Adjustment Layer lightening the dog.
Levels 2 is an Adjustment Layer darkening the area around the dog.
See post #9; PS Elements in Post # 14
A question about sky (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=338140)
.

[archaeoman]

Thanks Photosguy, no need to send the file but I appreciate the post information. I think, for practice, I'll attempt it myself.

Thanks again

Mark

[hfgerena]

Hi, the only thing that I really don't like is the backgrond, too distracting. I think that the only thing you have to do is;
1. Open the photo
2. Crop, leave the leaf thats on the floor
3. Make a copy (CTRL-J)
4. Do some blurr to the copy (5 or 6 pixels)
5. With the eraser, in the copy erase the dog and the leaf on the floor
6. Do some unsharp.

If you want to see the result let me know and I will posted. The difference is the backgoud.

[howzitboy]

sorry, i saw help me and i had to give this shot a try:

http://i14.tinypic.com/4lpt99v.jpg

I just did the regular touch ups but a lot of cloning to remove the parts i didnt like. i also had to remove his collar to show that he is free now!