1st post C&C welcome- pop warner

[Robbierob]

Hi all. This is my 1st photo that I have posted and my 1st photo that I have ever used photoshop with. I would welcome any suggestions on photoshop. I do not know how to brighten the ball carriers face or how to add a watermark. Help would be appreciated. Also how do I frame the shot in black? thank you
Sorry the image is small, photobucket wont accept larger images
(shot 10d 1/750 5.6 iso100)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v512/172flyer/evansbigruncopy-1.jpg

[Robbierob]

ps my handle is 1722flyer but the name is rob..nice to meet the community

[SwingBopper]

Turn on Image Editing in your profile and you will get lots of help. I think this photo needs overall brightening as well as some selective face brightening. I'm sure you will be pleased with some of other's edits after you turn on image editing.the

[Robbierob]

Thanks..I turned my image editing on

[joedlh]

The image is a fine size for this web site. It's a nice action shot that is compromised by back lighting. If you could make your way to the other side of the field without being assaulted by the opposing teams parents, you'd shoot with the sun at your back and illuminating the faces of the players.

To lighten the faces on this one, try the Fill flash adjustment in Photoshop. I would also crop a little off on the right, as the subjects are sort of running to the left and are running out of space on that side of the frame.

Color of the mat is a matter of taste in my view. I generally think that white is more suitable for children, even when they are engaged in the mortal combat of American football. But that's just my personal opinion.

[LeuceDeuce]

Please, please take this with the best of intentions.

If you are just beginning with Photoshop (this is your first attempt) then you have selected an image that may be too difficult for your current set of skills. I say current set of skills because as you work with the program you will develop skills that allow you to make some pretty remarkable adjustments to more and more difficult images.

As a beginner I am going to recommend two books (both by Scott Kelby):

The Photoshop CS3 Book for Digital Photographers (http://www.kelbytraining.com/product/the-photoshop-cs3-book-for-digital-photographers.html)

and

Scott Kelby's 7-Point System for Adobe Photoshop CS3 (http://www.kelbytraining.com/product/scott-kelbys-7-point-system-for-adobe-photoshop-cs3.html)

You will get other suggestions from other people, but in the beginning I learned quickly from Scott's books. There are other authors for more advanced techniques, but I saw the biggest improvement in my own post processing work after reading 7-Point System. The reason I suggest Scott's books for beginners is because he doesn't get too deep into the "why things work the way they do", but more into the "how to achieve what you want to achieve".

Learning to use Photoshop skillfully is likely not going to be the easiest thing you've ever done, but it will be very rewarding if you stick with it.

My process is quite involved, and at this stage you wouldn't benefit from the detailed breakdown, but I will post an edit to show that the image is definately salvageable. Some will like it, some won't, but you'll have to get used to that as well :)

Have fun!

_

[Robbierob]

thank you for the comments...and believe me I do take the C&C with the best intentions. I bought the Kelby CS3 book over the weekend and played with some of the things I learned on this shot. I have never used it PS before and it is kind of like learning to drive a manual transmission for the 1st time.

I welcome any and all advice and input. Thank you for the comments. It's time to step away from the safety net of film and swim with the digital world!

[Bill Boehme]

Please, please take this with the best of intentions.

If you are just beginning with Photoshop (this is your first attempt) then you have selected an image that may be too difficult for your current set of skills. I say current set of skills because as you work with the program you will develop skills that allow you to make some pretty remarkable adjustments to more and more difficult images.

As a beginner I am going to recommend two books (both by Scott Kelby):

The Photoshop CS3 Book for Digital Photographers (http://www.kelbytraining.com/product/the-photoshop-cs3-book-for-digital-photographers.html)

and

Scott Kelby's 7-Point System for Adobe Photoshop CS3 (http://www.kelbytraining.com/product/scott-kelbys-7-point-system-for-adobe-photoshop-cs3.html)

You will get other suggestions from other people, but in the beginning I learned quickly from Scott's books. There are other authors for more advanced techniques, but I saw the biggest improvement in my own post processing work after reading 7-Point System. The reason I suggest Scott's books for beginners is because he doesn't get too deep into the "why things work the way they do", but more into the "how to achieve what you want to achieve".

Learning to use Photoshop skillfully is likely not going to be the easiest thing you've ever done, but it will be very rewarding if you stick with it.

My process is quite involved, and at this stage you wouldn't benefit from the detailed breakdown, but I will post an edit to show that the image is definately salvageable. Some will like it, some won't, but you'll have to get used to that as well :)

Have fun!

_

I wholeheartedly agree with Chris' recommendations. I am one of those people who likes to dig into the details of understanding how things work, so I was initially a bit put off by Scott Kelby's teaching style, however, he does have a method in his madness and it enables the beginner to develop an intuitive grasp on editing images without going into the nitty gritty.

[Robbierob]

I wholeheartedly agree with Chris' recommendations. I am one of those people who likes to dig into the details of understanding how things work, so I was initially a bit put off by Scott Kelby's teaching style, however, he does have a method in his madness and it enables the beginner to develop an intuitive grasp on editing images without going into the nitty gritty

Thanks Bill,
I have been using Scott Kelbys book "Photoshop CS3" as a guide and have also started reading his books "Digital Photography Book" I & II. His writing is a little comedic for my taste also, but his knowledge is incredible and I am learning a lot.

[rw2]

I have applied an easy fix. Shadows highlights and noise ninja for this result.

[1shot4u]

Does this help..
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/69/evansbigruncopy1sw2.jpg

[F4 Cyborg]

Less than 2 minutes, fast, easy and simple. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/3133588073_709d2e5c61_o.jpg

[F4 Cyborg]

I prefer a full size file to work with as it gives more latitude and produces a better image, then I would re size it for post or print.