Ren Faire Picture

I really like the subjects in this picture but being a noob I am not sure how to improve it in photoshop. Artistically or otherwise. Was hoping you guys can give me some ideas.

Background too busy, sun too hard. Beautiful costumes though, looks like you guys had fun!

nüborn wrote in post #10682620
Background too busy, sun too hard. Beautiful costumes though, looks like you guys had fun!

Not what I asked for but It is in the critique section so thanks for your thoughts.

These are actually actors that work at the faire but we did have fun

You're likely to get more responses posting in the Post Processing forum but the hard facial shadows will be a challenge. You should be able to open up the shadows but getting rid of them entirely would be nearly impossible.

This is for you and many of the others out there I see posting with really good images from there digital camera but are not getting the WOW factor or the POP they want when seeking for advice.

These cameras have the information for detail within them you MUST pull it out in PP if you want to duplicate what your eyes perceived while taking the shot.

Get into ACR, DPP, or PS and bring the photo to life. Then if you feel it is still missing something add something artistic like X-processing, B&W, so on and so forth.

The camera will not spit out a well defined color correct sharp image. It gives you the data to have so you can process/develop the image as you see fit to do so.

This is a 2 minute PS edit to show the photo is worthy of some detail and saturation bring brought forth from the detail the camera gave you.
If you need help or guidance on how to achieve getting the photo to look more true to life I would be glad to assist you.

That's a great edit BigALz. I see you blurred the back. Increased the saturation. what else did you do?

I warmed it up, brightened the areas that fell to the shadows, compressed the colors, and In this case I did raise the sat I normally try stay clear from that but since this was such a colorful array of clothing It was a must. Oh and I sharpened the highlights just a tad and added a bit of contrast. I actually took it all to the max just to show a big jump from your original post. In a real edit I don't think I would have made it that hot and maybe not so sat.

Colour saturation is way high for my taste on that edit.

I seen that I did up the hot version, I re-upped another revision, Neil_r if the OP likes it or if it inspires him/her whats the problem?

BigAlz I have no beef, I have personally turned the image editing flag off for my posts. I am really happy taking critique on board but usually when I take and PP an image it is within a context that I am looking for (and accurate colour reproduction is usually one of them), no one else can possibly know what is in my mind, so it is unlikely that I will appreciate what they will do to it.

It could be an age thing, I have been taking pictures commercially for over 35 years so I guess I am just too set in my ways.

I meant nothing personal at all in my comments.

I think you simply need to add some contrast to your original photo.You can also add some tonal contrast( definition)


Neil.Lol.I would ove to see witness the person who would try to edit your photos

neil_r wrote in post #10687951
BigAlz I have no beef, I have personally turned the image editing flag off for my posts. I am really happy taking critique on board but usually when I take and PP an image it is within a context that I am looking for (and accurate colour reproduction is usually one of them), no one else can possibly know what is in my mind, so it is unlikely that I will appreciate what they will do to it.

It could be an age thing, I have been taking pictures commercially for over 35 years so I guess I am just too set in my ways.

I meant nothing personal at all in my comments.

I agree 1000% My edit was to my liking as would anyone’s be. I am sure you're the same way soon as you see a picture you either ask why they did they PP the way they did and agree or disagree or you look at it and instantly see what you would have done differently.


The OP asked for Ideas so I just used they was I see the photo and made it that way PS then offered to help if the OP liked it.

No harm no foul.