Post Processing: Critique me

[TheLetterQ]

Trying out this whole "post processing" thing because taking good pictures isn't enough in today's world. Please let me know what you think, or if you have any good advice.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj204/Pleasetakeitkindly/steve160.jpg

[TheHoff]

OK, honest critique here...

It isn't a flattering natural light photo. The shadows are too dark under the eyes and with the high contrast treatment, it isn't what one would normally consider an attractive result. Also the highlights are blown (pure white on the jacket collar and sleeve?).

With the noise, it looks like what you used to get if you shot Tmax 400 and pushed it a few stops or the plain result from the old 3200. I like that kind of look actually but it doesn't work well for a portrait of a pretty girl.

[chauncey]

The better the shot, the less PP is needed.

[EOSBoy]

The better the shot, the less PP is needed.
I second that. Depending on which direction you're going pp is usually necessary when complimenting the image's quality. Otherwise you can go full blown on pp to make the images more of an art rather than a photo.

[kmorgan]

Reduce the noise, convert to RGB and add a warming filter. Looks good here with those changes.... Allow Image editing and I'll upload it.

Kevin

[TheLetterQ]

Reduce the noise, convert to RGB and add a warming filter. Looks good here with those changes.... Allow Image editing and I'll upload it.

Kevin

Alright, i changed it. (I didn't realize i needed to do that for people to be able to edit my stuff). I'm interested to see what you did differently.

[tdodd]

It's hard (for me) to judge how successful your PP was when we don't have a copy of the original unedited image for comparison. It might have been perfect as it was - or people may be able to suggest alternative PP that may have worked better.

[kmorgan]

Alright, i changed it. (I didn't realize i needed to do that for people to be able to edit my stuff). I'm interested to see what you did differently.

Ok, just got home from work, here it is...

Kevin

[chauncey]

OK, how about the unedited version.

[TheLetterQ]

OK, how about the unedited version.

Ok this is the picture as it was straight out of the camera.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj204/Pleasetakeitkindly/steve160-1.jpg

[Chet]

Watch your focus. Right now your focus is on the tip of her nose. Focus for the eyes! Otherwise I like the original best.

[kmorgan]

The original is much better than the b/w. Very pretty girl. I took the liberty of some quick retouching (mostly around the eyes) and added some more saturation.

Kevin

[setcode]

my try

[midnitejam]

setcode, You ROCK!

Your colored edit is a wall hanger.

The original post has very much going for it except for as already mentioned.

The composition is A-1. The axis of the eyes being placed on the diagonal is always a plus. The pose, the model, the raport, the model's expression are A-1 portraiture. All that was needed to transform the image into a nice portrait was the PP.

[Epix]

Reduce the noise, convert to RGB and add a warming filter. Looks good here with those changes.... Allow Image editing and I'll upload it.

Kevin
What does this mean, allow image editing?

[|)\/8]

I see Setcode beat me to it, very nice edits. Here is my go.

http://www.dykstra.us/images/steve1.jpg

http://www.dykstra.us/images/steve2.jpg

[LeuceDeuce]

I see Setcode beat me to it, very nice edits.

By three months :D

[elysium]

My go at it

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/6451/steve1601vf8.jpg

[Roy Mathers]

Trying out this whole "post processing" thing because taking good pictures isn't enough in today's world. Please let me know what you think, or if you have any good advice.




I wouldn't agree with that!

[|)\/8]

By three months :D

Wow, I feel stupid, never even looked, I thought this was a new thread. :oops:.

[LeuceDeuce]

Wow, I feel stupid, never even looked, I thought this was a new thread. :oops:.

Late to the party or not, your edits are very good. Nice work.

[elysium]

AHAHA whoops. I just noticed too. I think I have that habit. If I know I can edit or PP differently, I would still like to try. :)

[sidx001]

I have to agree, Setcode's changes look really good! What did you use/do?

[iamaelephant]

I don't agree with setcode's edit to be honest. I think it makes the girl look like she's made of plastic, it doesn't look real at all.

[midnitejam]

I wouldn't agree with that!

Give it time. You will:cool:

[midnitejam]

Late to the party or not, your edits are very good. Nice work.

Yep! What LeuceDeuce said.

[Bill Boehme]

I think that most of the edits bring some good ideas forward, but they all seem to have gone much too far in brightening and sharpening the eyes. If a little is good then more is less (an old UNIX joke).

[kajawhit]

Here is my quick run at it :) Not the best but I tried :)
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i309/kajawhit/purplesweater2-1.jpg

[iamaelephant]

Absolutely the best so far kajawhit. She still looks like a human being.