Help Choose which bride portrait!!

Help Choose which bride portrait!! · Posted by Truax_photo, 06-30-2008, 10:04 PM

Which of these PP effects fits this beautiful bride better? The Gaussian Blur, porcelain skin, or the film grain addition? I am partial to the Gaussian Blur, porcelain skin version myself, but that is how I do most of my portrait touching.

zeek10d · 06-30-2008, 11:23 PM

I don't like to C&C ppl work unless they asked me to. But for this shot I feel I should comment a little as all bride and groom deserve the best photos out of their photographer. So I hope you don't mind me being honest. If I offend you I apologise.

I feel that the photos are underexposed especially around the top and lack the sharpness around the eyes. I suggest you adjust the curve or brightness a little. Use mask and USM/smart sharpen to bring out the edge and line a bit. For skin try diffuse glow on duplicate layer on top in ligthen blend mode.

This is a quick attempt by me.

Above are just my views, I apologise if it offended u.

axl · 07-01-2008, 01:27 AM

the light is weird. Or is it only me? It seems that only the jaw and neck are under the light, and everything else (eyes, nose, forghead) is darker and fades away...

devisor · 07-01-2008, 02:42 AM

think you got to do some more work on this..

try to up the level and mask out the bakground.. so she seperates from it..

NicholasN · 07-01-2008, 03:09 AM

I agree from the nose up there is a sudden shift in exposure and the forehead and above is very dark.

*Wombat* · 07-01-2008, 03:15 AM

I agree with everyone's comments about the lighting and background, but one thing I do like about the first one is the way you bring out that lovely right cheekbone. Keep that at all costs. And the porcelain skin tone gives her a rather 16th century look which is very appealing.
I really like what Zeek10d has done except that for me I'd prefer to keep that left eye out of the light a bit more. I find it a bit disturbing, having a very different impact on me than her very open, soft right eye. (Most people's faces, as you know, are asymmetrical). And yes, I'd also get rid of that background. It looks like she's in someone's spare bedroom. You might try cutting and pasting her into something more neutral or maybe even a blurred landscape.

KungKrille · 07-01-2008, 04:23 AM

I think you have used a layer filled with black and then made it transparent in the middle - much like a strong vignetting. I suggest that you remove it so you see the cute bride more clearly

Truax_photo · 07-01-2008, 06:25 AM

Cool... Constructive critizism....I did try to do the vignetting effect I have seen others here do. It was late, and now that I look at it this morning, I agree... I will lose the vignetting attempt and repost. Rule #1.. Don't try new things late at night with eyes full of sleep! Thanks.

*LaRee* · 07-01-2008, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by Truax_photo

Cool... Constructive critizism....I did try to do the vignetting effect I have seen others here do. It was late, and now that I look at it this morning, I agree... I will lose the vignetting attempt and repost. Rule #1.. Don't try new things late at night with eyes full of sleep! Thanks.

Oh I sure agree with the late night processing thing. I've done that more times than I can tell you. Funny how things look different when coming back to them. She is a pretty bride and with a bit of post processing I bet this shot will work.

beest · 07-01-2008, 01:08 PM

I see a lighter band in the middle...seems odd

axl · 07-02-2008, 02:34 AM

Originally Posted by Truax_photo

Cool... Constructive critizism....I did try to do the vignetting effect I have seen others here do. It was late, and now that I look at it this morning, I agree... I will lose the vignetting attempt and repost. Rule #1.. Don't try new things late at night with eyes full of sleep! Thanks.

post your final outcome... please