I am a long time lurker, and sometime poster that has learned so much from the comments and critiques from so many talented people on this site. I thought I would post a shot and tap into your collective knowledge to hopefully enhance my skills.
Attached is a picture I shot yesterday at the family Thanksgiving dinner. Nothing fancy shot ,with SB800 bounced with diffuser. I like the shot but I know it could be much better. This was a quick shot when the girls were playing around so there was no time to setup any lighting (I hate the shadows off their bodies). Any other CC or PP ideas to make this image pop?
Two versions:
#1 has additional DLighting adjustments
# 2 I tried some levels adjustments
Image Quality: Compressed RAW (12-bit)
Device: Nikon D300
Lens: 17-55mm F/2.8G
Focal Length: 40mm
Focus Mode: AF-C
Aperture: F/5
Shutter Speed: 1/60s
Metering: Matrix
ISO Sensitivity: Auto (ISO 200)
Flash Sync Mode: Front Curtain
Flash Mode: Optional, TTL
Flash Exposure Comp.: -0.7EV
Advanced Operations: Bounce Flash
White Balance: Auto, 0, 0
Color Space: sRGB
Active D-Lighting: Normal
Picture Control: [SD] STANDARD
Sharpening: 7
Another Suggestion: Check the white balance. You shot with "auto" and the figures seem to have a peculiar color cast to them (and I am not talking about their natural skin tone, whatever that is). This is probably because of the light and the large "white" (not neutral white) surface surrounding the figures.
I expect if you adjusted the WB, you will find the image "pops" more. IF that is what you want.
Thanks so much for the quick reply. I enjoy reading your input on so many threads. Your comments on this board are always to the point and very instructive. I don't know how you find the time!
I did struggle with the WB and tried a couple changes but will work with the image more. I have been happy with AutoWB on the D300 so far but I think I need to learn more about setiing custom WB for the environments that I may be in. I look forward to your PM. Thanks!
Another Simple Suggestion in the form of Simple Steps:
1. Take the image and eliminate the "frame" put around it.
2. Select the crop tool and crop keeping all of the image except the area just below the skirt hems.
3. Open New Adjustment Layer/Levels
4. Select the "highlight" eyedropper on the levels dialog box and click to the left of the taller girl (close but not in the shadow).
5. PRESTO! The white balance is improved and the figures POP!
I like simple solutions.
Now at this point only you can tell if their skin tone is "accurate" but I believe you will see a remarkable improvement over the image posted above if you follow these steps exactly and without doing anything else.
P.S. You will not get the same results if you pick "auto color" or "auto levels" method instead.
Now, I hope you will help me too.
I believe if help each other, the world would be a much nicer place...and so would this forum.
I have a Global Project underway and could use another comment from your part of the world. I would like your Impressions on any of my work as described in at the bottom of every one of my Impressions posts.
I am not asking for an image 'critique.' Instead, I am asking for your "Impressions" or how any image affects you or moves you or what you see in the facial expressions in the image. You don't need to comment on anything technical as I am more interested in how you respond to the emotions, expressions, and 'art' rather than the technical side of photographs I have posted 62 Impressions threads/images here on this forum, so there are plenty of images to choose from. Just view one or a few until you find one you like for some reason. Then post a simple few sentences as your impression. To find my Impressions threads, simply type "Your Impression" in the "search" field or box on the main page of this People Forum.
I was writing above while you posted your last note above.
Thanks for the kind words. I am always glad to help others when I can and I enjoy helping others better enjoy their own photography.
I find the time while I am concurrently working on my own stuff on my computer (I have dual monitors). I tend to spend many hours working on many projects so it is just a click away.
BUT, time spent helping you or others is time away from "helping myself" too.
So...I ask that you (and any others) take a few moments to add your Impression to any of my Impressions threads/images/discussions. THAT will help ME.
I do believe if we help each other, this world and this forum would be a nicer place to spend time.
Cute neices! One of the things that makes time with family at Thanksgiving so great.
My suggestion would be to force the wall to white using Levels. This is subjective as I don't know if the wall was actually white. However, it will give your image more "pop". Pop usually means an increase in contrast and/or color saturation. Unfortunately, this will also clip some of the red channel which will affect the skintones in this image. After that, some dodge on the highlights in each of the girl's hair adds a nice touch.
To make the wall white, select the Highlight eyedropper from within the Levels dialog, then click on the wall to force it to white.
One suggestion to fix the skintones after this move is to use the History palette and History brush to paint back the skin to the "pre-levels" state.
I chose to enhance the hair by creating a new dodge and burn layer. Create a blank layer, fill it with 50% gray (r128 g128 b128), then set the blend mode to Overlay. With a white brush, simply paint on this layer to enhance the highlights. If you'd like to deepen the shadows, paint with a black brush. I usually choose to paint with a hard brush, then apply a Gaussian blur to taste. You can also adjust the Opacity of the layer to reduce the effect.
Cute kids! I hope this helps you improve your image.
Whacked a little too hard with JPG compression, but gives you the idea:
I like the edit! Even though they were right next to the wall they seem to really be seperated from it now! I will try your's and Steady's advice. You guys seem to do these things so easily I have sooo much to learn. Capturing the image is only the begining it seems some times.
Steady: I will be happy to participate in your global project!
When shooting like you did here, try to quickly set a "custom white balance" CWB before getting the girls to stand there.
You can use any number of methods from photographing a "neutral" gray card, white card, white sheet of paper, foam coffee cup lid, paper coffee filter, or just take a shot of that wall (if it is "white"). Then set the CWB and THEN ask the girls to stand there for a minute.
Others will say just "shoot raw" and fix it later. You could try that too.
And CWB setting only takes about 30 seconds once you are used to doing it. I do it all the time. Just remember to change back to an appropriate setting for WB if you change your POV or light or location.
I apreciate all you and everyone who posts do. While working with the image I realize there was so much more I could have "fixed" but I was just excited that I was able to take what you and South gave me and immediately improve my image!
I don't remember what i paid to join FM but it was worth its weight in gold! I am heading out with the family now but I will definetely contribute to your project later this weekend. Thanks again!
The problem with the color I see is over-saturation. I'd opened in Hue / Saturation and reduced saturation and increase brightness in reds and yellows.
Don't feel intimidated by lots of various techniques for changing things in an image using Photoshop. There are many (countless) variations possible.
My Simple Suggestion: keep your methods "simple" when you are starting out (or later) and you will find more consistent results and less "fixing" later.
The original poster (DigitalSpeed) asked for "Pop."
Compare the various versions to the last edited version by DigitalSpeed.
Look at the red ribbon in both images. One image appears "flat" and does not look "red."
Look at the hair color and "luster" in both girls in both images. One image has hair that looks "flat" and "lusterless."
Look carefully at the flower patterns in the older girl's dress. Compare the hue of the green in the flowers. One version looks like "dull green" while the other looks like "bright green." Which do you think is showing on the dress? Which has more "pop?"
These are very "quick" "Eyeball" observations and don't require photoshop.
After looking at those two last images (or comparing to the topmost original image), which one of the two images "pops?"
"POP" is usually a function of color saturation and contrast.
My Simple Suggestion: Increasing color saturation and contrast usually "adds pop" to an image.
But....you might not need to touch the color saturation or the contrast controls at all.
My Simple Suggestion: The "simple" white point method above gave a perceptible "pop" to the original image without having to change any hues, saturation levels, or other changes. One simple "correction" made a big difference.
I hope these observations and tips help you and others.
Thanks again for the help. I just got back from another family event in Philly over the weekend and I am sure I will have the chance to apply these techniques to other images as well.
