Baby Bath Time

[HawaiianHaole]

I would really appreciate some feedback on the following photo of my little girl and any modifications or suggestions of what to try in PP. Please feel free to edit and post, I would love to see what you can come up with.

Thank you all for the help, I am here to learn.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i193/mokihana99/IMG_1032.jpg

[JuiceBox]

I don't really like the conversion. There's really no contrast; this has to do with your subject, setting, and your lighting. There is even lighting around your entire baby, creating no shadows or highlights. It makes it look very bland indeed. Also, her skin tone is close to the background tone, making her blend in with the background. The focus is good though. It's a little hard to tell from this resolution, but it looks relatively sharp.

[puadxe]

It all looks like the same value, except the toy. You should start over with the color version to try and get a better black and white conversion, post the color one perhaps. If you have the RAW data, fix the white balance, maybe raise the blacks too because it needs more contrast.

[Titus213]

It's underexposed badly for one thing - and she is too cute to have a bad image....a real doll. Here's a Shadows/highlights, a bit of contrast, and a SuperFunHappy action.

[DAMphyne]

Much better Dave.
Very nice capture.

[HawaiianHaole]

It's underexposed badly for one thing - and she is too cute to have a bad image....a real doll. Here's a Shadows/highlights, a bit of contrast, and a SuperFunHappy action.

Thanks alot. I don't know my way around PP very well, but to be honest, this is much closer to what I started with and in trying to create some contrast, I messed it all up.

[HawaiianHaole]

Attached is the original image. Not sure that it is any better, but maybe someone can help me with a cleaned up color and/or B&W.

It may not be the best shot, but I really like it and want to share with my family.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i193/mokihana99/IMG_1032_Color.jpg

[FocalPrincess]

She's flat out adorable, and I think they've given you some good critique so far. As for the color image, its still a bit underexposed on my monitor (which isn't calibrated, I'll just throw it out there), and maybe lacks a bit of "pop." I've been finding the auto contrast tool really helpful lately....sometimes I like it, sometimes not, but it gives me an idea where to head.

[Titus213]

About the same correction as applied to the B&W but used a TechnicolorDreamWorld action instead of the SuperFunHappy. Her hands are taking on a reddish tint. Looks probably natural but could be changed a bit with some work.

You have certainly got a living doll to practice your photography on....

[puadxe]

Here's my try at a black and white conversion from the colored photo. She's adorable.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/Cancerous/babyedit.jpg

[JuiceBox]

The action you applied to the most recent color photo makes her look like she's got some sort of rash. I think with a bit of work with curves, the color version can be made into something that will work quite well, or can be converted to BW again.

[puadxe]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/Cancerous/babyeditrash.jpg

better?

[Titus213]

The action you applied to the most recent color photo makes her look like she's got some sort of rash. I think with a bit of work with curves, the color version can be made into something that will work quite well, or can be converted to BW again.

Yup, but I think if you look at the original color you can see where that came from. There is a color shift in her hands and mouth area that could be corrected - with more work.

[puadxe]

Yeah I couldn't get rid of that with curves, I just used the clone tool.

Is there anything else wrong with it though? It'd help me.

[Titus213]

It seems a bit too contrasty - harsh.

[HawaiianHaole]

You guys are awesome, thanks for all the tips, advice, and versions.

I think the grandparents will be quite happy with this pic and a few changes. You guys have really opened my eyes to what I need to look at going forward with my photos, so thank you.

[NathanS]

Here is my take on the photo...
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f80/Deallean/baby.jpg?t=1227382419