Nicole Oppermann

added a threshold layer just to check, and the brightest parts of her skin are at about a 245 or 246. I think it was the pants that were throwing the perception of the image as a whole off. I toned them and the lower right part of the bar down in this version, but left that rest the same..

drisley wrote in post #2064997
Michael,
You may have been going for a high key effect, and if so, then your image is perfect.
However, I tried rescuing a tiny amount of detail in the highlights. If you would like to know my process, just let me know.

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i prefer your version to be honest! looks very natural, good job! may I ask what tools have you used?

one more I just got to.

I really like the composition of that second pic.

great shot.Love EVERYTHING about it!

What a great shot

Both are great but I preffer the second.

Chudilo wrote in post #2065701
Drisley .. you're obviously on an uncalibrated LCD
Take a look at how you butchered the photo on a normal monitor for a change.
First off there is no HOT highlight on her face to begin with and Second your EDIT looks like you've added a spec of Dirt onto the face. Just because your LCD cannot display halftones does not mean that the world can't see them.

I keep telling people BEWARE OF BAD/UNCALIBRATED LCDs for photo applications and yet everyone keeps switching to el-cheapo LCDs claiming they are better. Hook them up together at the same time and LOOK at what you're switching to.
[/END RANT]

[EDIT] Yes the pants do look better in Dresley's version, but there is a dark blotch on her face. So I would go with his edit on part of the image

Sorry Chudilo, just to show you don't know what you are talking about ... I AM on a fully calibrated, high quality, REAL 24 bit, and not cheap 21" LCD (same as the Apple Cinema Displays), so it sounds like you may have the uncalibrated monitor. I can see more detail and better colour with this than I used to with my previous, high quality CRT flatron I used to have. I purposely did not buy a "cheapo" TN panel because I need this monitor for image editing, and it rates higher than almost any other LCD or CRT out there for colour accuracy (save for the multi-thousand dollar "pro" monitors that no individual can afford). Your post is a prime example of why when you assume, you make an "ass" out of "U" not "me" LOL just kidding To be honest, I rant more about the pitfalls of cheap LCDs than anybody I know, but nobody usually listens (but most people just want a gaming monitor that looks cool).

The spec on the face is in fact detail in the face that has been brought back (tiny creases and a flaw in the skin. If you can only see a "blotch" obviously you need to upgrade your monitor because you are missing detail.) I can also see this "blotch" on the original image on MY monitor, but it's insignificant. This is the reason why mgbeach's original may be preferred (ie, high key) for this type of image. However, I wasn't taking the time to mask out the effect on the skin and the pants to get different levels of highlight recovery, i was just illustrating a point.

Mgbeach, I LOVE your combination of bringing back detail in the pants, but leaving the face a little more "high key". The skin does look better that way.
I also LOVE your last picture!

Laimis, you can easily bring back highlights using the shadow/highlight tool in new versions of Photoshop.
The method I use is to select the highlights, make a new curves layer (which will automatically be masked off with your highlights selection), blur the mask slightly, set to multiply to darken, then duplicate the layer and set it to soft light to bring back contrast. You will have to lower each curves layer opacity to your liking. Also, you may have to reduce saturation (specifically in the reds) as multiply will tend to oversaturate. You can also use this method to brighten areas of an image, but use "screen" layer instead of "multiply", and maybe select shadows or midtones instead of highlights (but you can applyto the whole image).

Once again, great work Mgbeach! I'm a fan of your pics!

I've searched for this "ab800" and cant find a single place to buy it ANYWHERE??? I cant even find a picture of it. Does it really exist!?

www.alienbees.com

AGENT 99 wrote in post #2070756
I've searched for this "ab800" and cant find a single place to buy it ANYWHERE??? I cant even find a picture of it. Does it really exist!?

Alien Bees

drisley wrote in post #2070817
www.alienbees.com

thanks you all.

Great photo. I like the second one best. Perfect to me.

thanks y'all. And the alien bees have been great. Looking into their ringlight as soon as I can see some real-world shots.

here's one that's a little apart from what I'd normally do, but I liked it

The reds are actually being cut out in the origonal image. Take it into PS and do a selective histogram of the nearly blown out sections of her face...red is maxed out...detail is lost...

Great shot though!!