Trying to decide on this shot if it is a case of ruined by blown highlights, or the shot is a keeper.

Got an opinion?

The blown highlight bugs me, but my guess is most clients won't notice.

Any chance to get any back from the RAW?

Evan Baines wrote:
The blown highlight bugs me, but my guess is most clients won't notice.

Any chance to get any back from the RAW?

got as much back in RAW as I could. I think you are right, the blown highlights probably will only bug us pros. That is my hope anyhoo.

Thanks,

Martin.

Maybe try throwing some grain or a texture on to mask it?

I say use the ole failsafe - B&W.

Evan Baines wrote:
Maybe try throwing some grain or a texture on to mask it?

hmm, might be worth a try. Thanks for the idea,

Blown out. I would not think it that un noticeable by a client but what do you do once that is all you have?. Always expose for the highlight.

A quick texture attempt. What do ya think? Oh, and feel free to have a go anyone!

Marcus Watts wrote:
Blown out. I would not think it that un noticeable by a client but what do you do once that is all you have?. Always expose for the highlight.

I don't disagree. Thankfully though I have a few more but this one was nice and close and that was why I liked it.

Martin.

mpaul73 wrote:
A quick texture attempt. What do ya think? Oh, and feel free to have a go anyone!



I figured going old style would help out.

Converted to B&W (hot fudge by KK), film grain added and a slight contrast pop.

texture + B&W

Even with the blown highlights, it's a great moment. I think the bride will love it!

I like Brians fix

For some reason I find the blown highlights MORE distracting on the mono conversion.

I am not at my home now, so I can't try a quick fix for it. I would try to process it high-key, black & white, and play a bit with some dodge & burn on the blown out area. Might work.

The moment is nice, but the blown highlights bug me. Besides, it's not only your customers who see your images, a lot of people will. Some will notice the problem and that would not be so nice.

The "texture attempt" is a bit better than the originally posted one.

I prefer the original. It has a nice soft, intimate feel to it. The blown highlight doesn't distract me much, and I doubt the client would consider it a "mistake".

+1

gregneil wrote:
I prefer the original. It has a nice soft, intimate feel to it. The blown highlight doesn't distract me much, and I doubt the client would consider it a "mistake".

The blown whites don't bother me here. It looks like their hands are bathed in sunlight. I would present with just one small change. I'd desaturate it a bit and change the tint (a bit more green). It looks too red, might be my monitor though.

I would go so far as to call this an excellent photo. All jewelry is in good focus, hands look good. Good Job.

I like the shot. Blown out highlights are from a technical view point and as a photographer hard to justify. Looking at it as a client it captures the feeling she had when she placed the ring on his finger....That makes it a great image.
That is the kind of shot that will get you business and make your client really happy.

I just did a commercial shoot(about 2 million mailers) and the client Wanted blown highlights and deep shadows....An Artsy-Dramatic Look. A technically perfect image is not what everyone wants.

Did anyone else feel her hands look..er...manly?

In the BW shot her hands look a little pudgy and dark, the textures and other stuff looks a little cheesy IMO, the first shot looks really nice like a shaft of sunlight coming thru the stained glass window, shining down on the moment...

jefferies1 wrote:
I like the shot. Blown out highlights are from a technical view point and as a photographer hard to justify. Looking at it as a client it captures the feeling she had when she placed the ring on his finger....That makes it a great image.
That is the kind of shot that will get you business and make your client really happy.

I just did a commercial shoot(about 2 million mailers) and the client Wanted blown highlights and deep shadows....An Artsy-Dramatic Look. A technically perfect image is not what everyone wants.



Thanks for your observations. I wish I could say that it was a creative exposure on my part. It wasn't , I "blew it" (pun intended). But I think it goes to show that the correct exposure is not always the best one.

Martin.

jeremy_clay wrote:
Did anyone else feel her hands look..er...manly?

Ease up there son, that's my sister you're talking about there.