20x24 enlargement

The B/G loved this picture so they want a 20x24 enlargement. What would you do to make it better? lit the background ?, vigneting ? , feel free to give some ideas.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

My eye keeps getting drawn to the shadow of her flowers across her dress, unfortunately. I'd like to see how it looks without it.

He likes it because it shows the limo

If he likes it.give it to him!

LuisE wrote in post #5518963
...feel free to give some ideas.

Does that mean you are giving permission to edit and repost for this thread?

When speaking of an image, it is a lot easier to show rather than tell, so I want to know it is OK to work on it before investing any time.

Rad

Here a workup where I tried to hide the shadow...

didn't notice that image editing was not turned on...

Palladium wrote in post #5519207
Here a workup where I tried to hide the shadow...

didn't notice that image editing was not turned on...

Image editing is ok.. Thanks

I agree that the shadow sould be gone. Just as a first fix, here is my thought on the dress. I also think the shot would be better without the house in the background, but I haven't gotten to that yet.

Rad

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

LuisE wrote in post #5519359
Image editing is ok.. Thanks

Well I post this only because I worked it up...but it's very similar to RadTech's

Damo77 wrote in post #5518990
My eye keeps getting drawn to the shadow of her flowers across her dress, unfortunately. I'd like to see how it looks without it.

I just tried but do not like the results. What is the best way to fix this shadow?

Here is a close up of the shadowed area.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

I used NIK new plugin Viveza. A couple of clicks. Working on the full res version I probally would take more care.

Cropped. (You already cut the dress off anyway, so why not crop)

Duplicated layer, gaussian blur, with a blend mode of "Soft Light"

Cloned out reflections on car.

Boosted saturation of flowers.

Vingetted the lower left corner.

Burned the left part of the car, it was too bright compared to the subjects.

Not saying this is the best way to take it, but if it were me, I would at least present a proof the the B&G.

Rad

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

LuisE wrote in post #5519420
I just tried but do not like the results. What is the best way to fix this shadow?

Best way? I doubt there is a best way, but I do have a way. My technique is quite easy, but it takes some practice. Maybe I should say it's best for me, as I have gotten used to it, and I get results that I am satisified with.

First, duplicate the shot twice. Set the blend mode on the MIDDLE layer to "Screen". On this shot, I dropped the opacity to about 60%. What that does is that it effectively brightens the whole shot.

Then, using the eraser tool, and working on the TOP layer, just erase away at the shadow, revealing the brighter dress below. I start with a fairly large eraser with the main part of the shadows, then switched to a small one to get the edge of the shadows.

When I have that as good as it can get, I flatten the shot and use the clone tool to tidy up the edges. Keep in mind that the clone tool can look obvious, so the better you are at the eraser in the step above, the less you will have to rely on the clone tool.

The result below took me about 5 minutes, but I have been doing this a long time.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

This is just my $.02 worth, but if the couple like this shot enough to want that big of a blow up, I really wouldn't mess with it too much. I might soften up the building/house there behind the limo a bit, but other than that I wouldn't mess with it too much. If this is the shot they chose, then this is the way they like it...giving them something else by changing the shot too much wouldn't be giving them the shot they chose.

Again, just my $.02 worth,
Jim

I've struggled with changing an image after it's selected by the client. If it doesn't alter the basic image I change it - for my own reputation.

I can almost guarantee they did not see the shadow of the flowers. But removing it definitely improves the image and I'd give it a go. I'd also take the building in the BG down a bit.

Radtech1 wrote in post #5519852
Best way? I doubt there is a best way, but I do have a way. My technique is quite easy, but it takes some practice. Maybe I should say it's best for me, as I have gotten used to it, and I get results that I am satisified with.

First, duplicate the shot twice. Set the blend mode on the MIDDLE layer to "Screen". On this shot, I dropped the opacity to about 60%. What that does is that it effectively brightens the whole shot.

Then, using the eraser tool, and working on the TOP layer, just erase away at the shadow, revealing the brighter dress below. I start with a fairly large eraser with the main part of the shadows, then switched to a small one to get the edge of the shadows.

When I have that as good as it can get, I flatten the shot and use the clone tool to tidy up the edges. Keep in mind that the clone tool can look obvious, so the better you are at the eraser in the step above, the less you will have to rely on the clone tool.

The result below took me about 5 minutes, but I have been doing this a long time.

Perfect, Many thanks for your help. I seee now that your way is the best way .