Need help and advice...
Posted 12/06/2013 - 17:02
Link
Mike-P wrote:
Put up the original somewhere and lets have a competition to see who can do the best job
I can load it into Flickr, but if the prize has to be a Pentax 645D for the best effort, then you will all have to wait until I win the Euromillions!!
Put up the original somewhere and lets have a competition to see who can do the best job
Posted 12/06/2013 - 18:26
Link
Mike-P wrote:
Put up the original somewhere and lets have a competition to see who can do the best job
Good idea ...Put up the original somewhere and lets have a competition to see who can do the best job
I was thinking of something similar for the weekly monthly comp (if I ever need to set it!) "Best use of Photoshop on supplied image".
Posted 13/06/2013 - 04:32 - Helpful Comment
Link
steven9761 wrote:
I was going through a myriad of photos that were shot in Thailand last month, and I came across the below image (although I don't remember having taken it), which I think would make a great portrait once the distracting background was taken out, and a cleaner, better background was put in place, and a general clean-up. I had a bit of a play with it this morning before going to work, but the best effort still had quite a bit of "colour-fringing" in the edited image. Any photo-shoppers know how best I should tackle this, or is it worth getting a professional to do this for me?
First thing I noticed was the underexpsore and the wonky colour balance. It's gonna look incredibly fake if you try and replace the background, especially with those wisps of hair. Here's my take using Lightroom 4 ... I was going through a myriad of photos that were shot in Thailand last month, and I came across the below image (although I don't remember having taken it), which I think would make a great portrait once the distracting background was taken out, and a cleaner, better background was put in place, and a general clean-up. I had a bit of a play with it this morning before going to work, but the best effort still had quite a bit of "colour-fringing" in the edited image. Any photo-shoppers know how best I should tackle this, or is it worth getting a professional to do this for me?
[i]Bodies: 1x K-5IIs, 2x K-5, Sony TX-5, Nokia 808
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283
Posted 13/06/2013 - 07:41
Link
Cheers, Smeggy! I realised that the shot was underexposed, and that was the first thing I attempted. I raised the exposure just a touch, and tried to progress from there. As you say, the hair presents a challenge all on its own! Although you upped the exposure, I think perhaps you've inadvertently "overcooked" the colour temperature, as it looks a wee bit too "orangey" on my monitor.
Thanks for the feedback though - much appreciated!
Thanks for the feedback though - much appreciated!
Posted 13/06/2013 - 08:37 - Helpful Comment
Link
The original is a bit flat, but the revised version a bit OTT. It's a nice shot of the girl, but whatever you do I don't think you're going to make a winner out of it.
Sorry if that sounds harsh, but the lighting needs to make the image sing. I would start by adjusting Levels. Even consider converting to monochrome. Have a play...
Sorry if that sounds harsh, but the lighting needs to make the image sing. I would start by adjusting Levels. Even consider converting to monochrome. Have a play...
Best regards, John
Posted 13/06/2013 - 09:12 - Helpful Comment
Link
I was thinking the same as John. The flash lighting is a bit harsh, which creates hard shadows under her chin. The background is going to be a pig to replace / fuzz out, becuase of the stray hairs. There's also something mildly disconcerting about a very young girl wearing that much make up. Trying to make a 'portrait' out of it doesn't seem quite right. I would have gone for a reportage approach with this subject - show a bit more of her context and what she was doing.
What was she doing?
What was she doing?
Posted 13/06/2013 - 09:13
Link
Thanks for the advice, John. I'll carry on practising with it. I suppose it's a harsh lesson in lighting and composition for me to learn.
TBH: I'm more "comfortable" with architecture shots, as I seem to have amassed loads of shots of buildings from different parts of the world. Unlike a hyperactive 5-year old, buildings have a tendency to remain still while you're composing your shot!
TBH: I'm more "comfortable" with architecture shots, as I seem to have amassed loads of shots of buildings from different parts of the world. Unlike a hyperactive 5-year old, buildings have a tendency to remain still while you're composing your shot!
Posted 13/06/2013 - 09:21
Link
Pentaxophile wrote:
I was thinking the same as John. The flash lighting is a bit harsh, which creates hard shadows under her chin. The background is going to be a pig to replace / fuzz out, becuase of the stray hairs. There's also something mildly disconcerting about a very young girl wearing that much make up. Trying to make a 'portrait' out of it doesn't seem quite right. I would have gone for a reportage approach with this subject - show a bit more of her context and what she was doing.
What was she doing?
This was her "relaxing" (if you can call it that from a hyperactive toddler!) on the day of my wife's cousin's wedding.I was thinking the same as John. The flash lighting is a bit harsh, which creates hard shadows under her chin. The background is going to be a pig to replace / fuzz out, becuase of the stray hairs. There's also something mildly disconcerting about a very young girl wearing that much make up. Trying to make a 'portrait' out of it doesn't seem quite right. I would have gone for a reportage approach with this subject - show a bit more of her context and what she was doing.
What was she doing?
The thing I found about natural lighting in Thailand is that it's either too bright (harsh, overlight sunshine), or the camera wants to pop up the flash when trying to use a wee bit of shade to diffuse the light. At least this high up from the Equatorial line, we have nice, diffused light early morning, and in the evenings. If you are not out of your kip by about 5.30-6.00am, you've had it for soft light!
I dare say if I had a reflector with me, it would have been extremely beneficial, however my suitcase was bursting at the seams as it was!! (wife wanting me to bring the equivalent of a large high-street fashion store over with me!!)
Posted 13/06/2013 - 09:42 - Helpful Comment
Link
I see, Steven! Perhaps using a fast lens would have let you use ambient light, without the flash, with the added benefit of blurring the background a bit more. You could then have lightened up her face a bit in PP. Easy to say in retrospect though, isn't it!
Posted 13/06/2013 - 09:48
Link
Pentaxophile wrote:
I see, Steven! Perhaps using a fast lens would have let you use ambient light, without the flash, with the added benefit of blurring the background a bit more. You could then have lightened up her face a bit in PP. Easy to say in retrospect though, isn't it!
I have another shot of her, with her balanced on my knee. IMO, that one's a bit to "cheesy" for my liking, although the wife likes it!
I see, Steven! Perhaps using a fast lens would have let you use ambient light, without the flash, with the added benefit of blurring the background a bit more. You could then have lightened up her face a bit in PP. Easy to say in retrospect though, isn't it!
Posted 13/06/2013 - 18:22 - Helpful Comment
Link
You're right it was a bit "tangoed"
here's one with a little less Essex Spray Tan
here's one with a little less Essex Spray Tan
[i]Bodies: 1x K-5IIs, 2x K-5, Sony TX-5, Nokia 808
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283
Posted 13/06/2013 - 18:27
Link
Smeggypants wrote:
You're right it was a bit "tangoed"
here's one with a little less Essex Spray Tan
Yes - it's a bit less "David Dickinson/Dale Winton" now!!
You're right it was a bit "tangoed"
here's one with a little less Essex Spray Tan
Posted 13/06/2013 - 19:53
Link
It was late when I did the first one. that's my excuse anyway
[i]Bodies: 1x K-5IIs, 2x K-5, Sony TX-5, Nokia 808
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283
Add Comment
To leave a comment - Log in to Pentax User or create a new account.
1232 posts
14 years
Glasgow