Amy Before and After

...but hopefully progress is being made. The left image is a B&W

conversion I did a year ago. The right hand image is the version I

produced a year later using processing skills learned throughout the

year. I can't believe that I was ever happy with the image on the left

but it shows that with perseverance progress CAN be made...even

an old dog like me can learn new tricks. But what about next year?

How am I going to take the image forward? This is where you come

in....

I do like a few of the recent edit's elements. The increase in contrast and sharpening do make a positive difference. I'm not a fan of most skin smoothing and feel it is a bit overused here. 

While I do agree with Mark that the contrast and sharpening are a big improvement, I disagree that they are overused depending on your purpose.

The second shot does look more like a glamor shot or a demo for make up artist, but her makeup also looks a bit over the top for a normal portrait.  The only things you seem to have removed are temporary blemishes like tiny pimples.  To me her skin texture looks relatively realistic.

For a portrait I think it's a bit much, but as an exercise for developing skills you should push your limits and then adjust for taste.

Hard to believe it's the same girl let alone the same image, but of course I know it is from the detail! 

I know very little about portraiture, but I do know I like the improvements you have made, and for me the end justifies the means. 

Very well done Graham! 

 

Alf 

I mean, wonderful result of your skillful retouch, Graham! Bravo!

 

Best regards

 

PDE

Your comments are greatly appreciated and very much in keeping with all that makes photo.net a great place to learn this wonderful art of fixing the shadows

Graham, I can't imagine taking this image further -- I think you've reached an admirable end.  Great light, highlights, and contrast.

I like the contrast except where the left cheek roundness gets washed out. Sometimes I'll do a shot, do a new version and want to keep a little of both renditions. I placed your new image on a separate layer over the your original image (keeping both in perfect registration). I erased around her cheek and towards her chin to reduce the contrast in those areas while not disturbing the snappy effect of your new version. I like the lips tweak you did which made her lips fuller. This is all very subtle stuff and some will think that such a subtle change is unnecessary--it is all a matter of person taste. I hope this is helpful. Good luck and keep having fun with your learning and artistic development.

I think John has made her look a little more real, a little less like a porcelain doll, but still very nicely processed.  The difference is subtle, but it's there.