Friday, March 19, 2010

I heart Faces Constructive Feedback Friday


I heart faces is hosting a constructive feedback Friday on it's blog. It's for amateur photographers to get help editing their photos. You all know that I take dozens of pictures, but don't have a clue how to edit beyond cropping and doing a couple easy things in picasa. I want to get MOTIVATED to learn lightroom and photoshop elements, which I own, but haven't ever used.


So, here's the picture that I would like help with.  I took it this past Fall using my Olympus E-510.  I like it, but think the color is off and my niece would prefer the "blemishes" be removed from her face.  I like the symbolism of the road behind her as she is a senior in high school and heeading off to college soon.

In this photo the aperature was f/5.6, shutter speed 1/250 and ISO 100.  Focal length was 42 mm.  I "edited" in picassa - basically just cropped it.

Please give me some motivation to break out lightroom and photoshop elements.  Show what some good editing could do for a picture!

THANKS for your help!

3 comments:

CharlotteBellamy said...

Kari
Great portrait, and I like the crop in. Seems to be lacking a little vibrancy though. For me, this kind of pic needs to be kept as natural as possible, but thats just my opinion. I put it in Elements 7, created a duplicate layer and selected "soft light". At 100% the colours are a little crazy, but eased back to 30% looks natural but vibrant.

Hope that helps a little. Feel free to ask for clarification/any extra help.

Enjoy your photography

Charlie

Amy Pinney said...

I'm not terribly familiar with PSE, but in PS there is a tool called the healing brush that will help you clear up her skin.

Christina said...

The crop is great. You won't have to crop so closely though if you can learn how to use the clone stamp tool or the healing brush tool to get rid of the telephone pole wires hanging overhead. Also, I highly recommend actions for Photoshop Elements. I used Perfect Portrait on your photo and it allowed me to smooth out her skin as much or as little as I wanted, define her eyes, and make all the colors pop. It's worth learning how to use and install actions. I don't see your email address here...feel free to email me at twinflowerphotography@gmail.com and I'll be happy to send you my edit. Have a great weekend!