Hands

--Lannie

A very nicely composed beautiful shot, Lannie!

With best regards,

Ruud.

Hi Lannie,

I like the creative presentation done here.

I like the image itself.

I understand that a bit of pattern noise (provided by ISO 3200) can work in an image, and that is fine here. For me, I like to have that small background effect removed as shown in my attachment. It is a subtle change, and certainly no big deal either way.

Best Regards,  Mike

Thanks, guys.

Mike, what program did you use for noise reduction--and what settings (if you recall)?  I thought about reducing the noise, but decided against it.  You have made me rethink again.  Your version is very well done.

--Lannie

Mike, I am going to reload a version with less manipulation.  It was the post processing that caused the noise.  It might take quite a while for the image to be replaced.

--Lannie

Hi Lannie,

Honestly, I figured that you used ISO 3200 to get the "graininess effect", and I found that  to be good.

I really did a little noise correction for anyone else to see the differences.

You would be surprised as to how many people email me as to how to improve their images. It usually starts with noise free image, whenever it is possible to accomplish.

Best Regards,  Mike

Thanks, Mike.  In this case, the original was a bit flat, and so I worked it using curves, and then I reduced the levels.  I liked the darker tones, and even the graininess, but in this case it did not really work for the subject.  It got even worse (too grainy) when I added unsharp mask, which I did because the picture was not in the sharpest focus.

In any case, I decided in this case to simply go back and start all over.  I do like what you did with it, however, since you did maintain the tonal range that I established with curves and levels, but without the noise.

--Lannie

Hi Lannie,

The bottom line is that you have to be satisfied with the presentation, no matter what the rest of the world might think !

For me, I do my best to appreciate all postings and enjoy them for what I get from them. Sometimes I will present another way to view the  same image. That does not reflect the way that I feel about the original, since it was the original that attracted me to view it in the first place !

Best Regards my friend, Mike

I like the idea of the shot, but am finding it not sharp enough to suit me.  I don't mind noise, but do mind soft, if that makes sense.  Hands are very expressive and I never think to isolate them.  Good idea!

Thanks, Kim.  Here is the original shot from which it was taken:

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=13785535&size=lg

The hands really are pretty close to the focal plane, although slightly beyond.  I think that her hands just might be that soft, although it is possible that too much noise reduction was applied.  I really just do not remember.

--Lannie