October 2007 Winner: Regan

Big Dawg · 11-25-2007, 06:18 PM

Many Thanks to those that thought this photo of my Granddaughter was worthy of your vote. I am truly amazed it won as there were so many very great photos entered in this contest. Again thank you all.

Ed "AKA" Dawg

P.S. If there are any questions about how I took this photo or the processing involved please feel free to ask. Thank you!

mtnbearhug · 11-25-2007, 07:57 PM

I am guessing that you blurred the outside.. and sharpened only the eyes???

It is a GREAT shot!!

Big Dawg · 11-25-2007, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by mtnbearhug

I am guessing that you blurred the outside.. and sharpened only the eyes???

It is a GREAT shot!!

Here is what I did. First the photo was taken outside very late in the afternoon just after sundown with a K10D and a 18-55mm kit lens. This was at my Grandson's birthday party and I was snapshooting all over the place. My Granddaughter came up and said "Papa look at my monster eyes." then she gave this strange look . I took the photo and on review started to delete it. At the last second I decided to keep it and look at it further on the computer. Glad I did. One of those once in a blue moon good shots you are lucky to get and recognize!

Here is the heavily under exposed original.

I then used DCE Tools Auto Enhance Plugin to adjust the levels contrast and color.

Then I sharpened by going to Image, Modes and Lab color. Then I selected Lightness in the channels menu and used Unsharp Mask to sharpen the photo a little. Then I went back to RGB color in the modes menu. Then I selected the Dodge tool and lightened the eyes using a very low setting and blending it in.

Then I went to the Image menu and Desaturated the photo changing it to B&W. Then I went to the filter menu and selected the Portrait Skin Cleaner from the DCE tools menu. This cleaned and softened the skin.

Then I used a Vignette Blur tool for Nik Efex Color Pro. And there is the photo...It probably took me two tries to get it and a total of ten minutes. My Daughter wants to have a copy made at 16X20 for Regans memory book so she will have it after she has grown up. I will do that soon.

Any more questions feel free to ask...Oh yeah No special sharpening for the eyes...Mainly just the dodge tool to emphasize them more.

Dawg

skaktuss · 11-26-2007, 12:29 AM

Congratulations! When I first saw this pic, I told my self: this one is a winner! Very well deserved 1st place.

*gpaual* · 11-26-2007, 03:18 AM

congrats on winner.......awesome shot, and pp was sweet.....

*Eaglerapids* · 11-26-2007, 06:14 AM

amazing work, congrats on your win, well deserved!

Big Dawg · 11-26-2007, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by skaktuss

Congratulations! When I first saw this pic, I told my self: this one is a winner! Very well deserved 1st place.

Thank you Skaktus! I thought your photo would be the winner when I first saw it. Really liked the composition and detail.

Dawg

Big Dawg · 11-26-2007, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by gpaual

congrats on winner.......awesome shot, and pp was sweet.....

Thank you Gpaual. Really liked yours too. Nice use of light there. I'm honored you think mine was worthy!

Dawg

Big Dawg · 11-26-2007, 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by Eaglerapids

amazing work, congrats on your win, well deserved!

Many thanks Eaglerapids. I truly appreciate that!

Dawg

bt*ist · 11-26-2007, 07:41 PM

And a highly deserving win, too, that portrait is gorgeous - just luminous!

Big Dawg · 11-26-2007, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by bt*ist

And a highly deserving win, too, that portrait is gorgeous - just luminous!

Thank you bt*ist. I truly appreciate the comments.

Dawg

pixmike · 11-28-2007, 06:30 PM

GREAT JOB! It gives me ideas now lol!

Mike

Big Dawg · 11-28-2007, 08:50 PM

Thanks Mike...I hope it works for you!

Dawg

*LaRee* · 11-28-2007, 10:03 PM

Yep, a very well deserved win. You did a great job on the post processing of this. Hopefully this will be a lesson to ALL, NEVER delete in the field.