This was from a recent shoot for a newspaper ad, my three hair stylist friends :-)
Considering different post processing options (not for the ad, that will be a simple B&W conversion, this is more so for fun and for prints). Which of these do you prefer if any, and why? Also feel free to share your ideas by posting another version along with your method if you like.
Let me first say that I think the picture is very good. Well exposed, well focused and well lit. Nice smiles and body language.
I like the 2nd best. The 3rd one for me loses lots of detail that is nice. Same for the last one. Both seem to emphasize the middle lady because hair detail in others is lost.Although aside from the cloned out clothing over right lady back, the changes are modest, and until I looked closely I like the 1st better.
If you have more raw material, I would try less empty space above and a bit more below to move their eyes toward 1/3 down (I don't think you can get all the way since it would be too tight on their heads). It might help to get more of necklace on right.
Something to keep in mind is the media - what looks good on the screen won't necessarily look good printed in B&W in a newspaper... so make your adjustments with that in mind...
I like the fourth one the best. As everyone else has said the 3rd one is overprocess and colorwise, to me. is not very appealing. But i like the effect it did for the 50% opacity black and white, it blows out the background and brings more attention to the hairdressers. I like the color version as well but the blue background keeps drawing me away from the hairdressers, i just think the 4th one has a more overall pleasing look.
