Mommy & Me

Thanks for your thoughts.

In my opinion, it's a wonderful shot, 6/6

Thanks Salvatore. I found myself wondering if the high contrast effected the balance of this image. I like it, but something "feels" not quite right. I can't put my finger on it.

Great look by the girl...great capture.

 

I cannot comment on the contrast- I am working on a laptop, although photos tend to look a litle darker on my other computer...so...

Thanks Sarah. She was on the verge of bursting into a belly roll laugh :) She's a real character :) I know what you mean, it's so amazing to me how images change from monitor to monitor. Maybe someday they can get them all the same? doubtful :)

Jayme: I'm always impressed by your photos all so well done and this is no exception. I do agree with you that something seems a little off and the only comment I could make about that IMHO is that mom looks great as does the daughter but the daughter seems a little washed out - maybe the loss of color in the eyebrows, not sure, maybe needs a touch more contrast. Just my thoughts otherwise it has to be a 6/6.

 

hmm, i'd like to see more details on girls face... the expression could be just perferct.. (IMHO)

I think that's it! Thanks :) Back to the "digital darkroom". I believe this can be an easy fix using a layer mask. I'll post a corrected copy. I am always amazed at how many wonderful ideas you all share. ("you all"- live in KY now, originally from Ohio-would be "you guys") :)

Here's a correction. Still show's a lot of burns, but better, I think!

Jayme:

 

Nice job on the touch-up, I think it really adds so much to the shot and gives good definition to both mother and daughter.

as you said still lot's of burns but it's MUCH BETTER! :) ragards

LOLS- the "burn outs" were intentional. Not just bad lighting with an inexperienced photographer. The mother wanted hi-key black & whites. The fact that the mother is very dark skinned & the child very light skinned made the situation difficult. It was easy when they were alone, but together I had to make a choice.

 

These were "controlled" over-exposures so as to end up with "pencil" like images. I was only trying to salvage some detail, truly playing with the originals in PS. Of which I have posted a few of Abigail alone. Please check them out.

 

But I do thank you for your comments. The finished products were softened with lots of eye detail. They turned out pretty nice if I do say so myself, very 1950's. :)

You're posting again! :-) I don't think that it's too contrasty. It's obviously that way on purpose, and with the dark & white clothing and the dark & light hair colors it works real well.

Jayme's back! Yay :)

I like the version with 'burn' more than the intital posting. I'd make 2 suggestions here though:

1. Reduce the blurring effect on their clothes somewhat. I'd like to see some detail in what they're wearing. I think it looks more natural

2. Crop a little from the bottom, perhaps to just above the girl's denim jacket buttons.

Otherwise, I love the capture. Very spontaneous and fun :)

Mark

Jayme,

 

I love this high contrast photo. I am seeing this type of style a lot lately and I absolutely love it. How do you achieve it? Is it just simply adjusting curves or levels? There seems to be a glow too that's very appealing.

Thanks all for the comments. I appreciate them all.

 

Will- I was reading through the "digital darkroom"forum & came upon this trick.

 

Once you change the image to B&W, in PS make a copy. On the copy go to "Image" "adjustment" "Invert". Then in "filters" "distort" & "diffuse glow. To start use a setting like 0/10/10. Then repeat, image/adjustment/invert. It creates an interesting glow. Adjust the opacity of the glowing layer to taste. It's a fun experiment, fun results :).

Jayme, thanks for the tip. Here's my attempt at it. I also added a layer mask and erased the adjustment to the hair and eyes to keep them crisp. Whatdaya think? Probably works better with females and babies. Hope that didn't sound sexist.

 

No offense taken :) I see your comments got axed on my forum posting :( What's that about?

 

I like Michael's picture. I think that if he had on dark clothing it would have come out better. I think it's the darks that glows against the white that gives it the effect. I messed with your picture, hope you don't mind. I added a catch light & did a little burning. Not better, just different. Cute kid!

Yep, your's is better. I really like the cacth light you added. Did you just dodge that area?

 

They have been really been quick draw mcgraw with deleting posts. It's starting to become a DICKtatorship. I thought I would never say this, but I miss Brian.

I used the burn tool, in the midtones & shadows. Set at about 6. I used a brush named "Ornament 6" I think it's one of the standard brushes in PS. However, I could be wrong, I've added so many brushes it could have been an added brush. It's kind of a slash with a dot. I also have made my own brushes when I needed. I make a brush so inferquently, I have to read the instructions each time. Drives me insane :)

 

A short trip :) My email was full this morning :)

Maybe too contrasty dear Jayme cause you lost some details of the clothes in black, and to me IMHO, the girl`s face is too bright comparing to the mother`s :)

But Lovely :)

 

Biliana

Thanks Biliana, Adjustments may be in order. Again, it's so hard to judge with an image like this as to the lights & darks. The web compression & all. This is a huge image. On the original, non compressed it looks a lot different. There is detail in the all the dark & lights. But when it gets compressed for the web.....there goes my detail. I could post it larger, but I read a lot of people complaining about large posts (re:they only have dial up) So I stopped the large ones.