People Something Old...

Rupert · 07-21-2010, 07:15 AM

In the boredom of being stuck inside during a bad heatwave with high humidity, I have been experimenting with some older shots to see the possibilities.....
I took this two years ago and decided to try and make a portrait with a better background. Does it work for you, or should I go back outside in the heat? LOL!

Original ( It was also a crop of the original file)
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New background....done in E7
[IMG]

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Best Regards!

atupdate · 07-21-2010, 09:16 AM

Very nice cloning job Rupert. The background looks like a professional backdrop was used.

Tim

clark · 07-21-2010, 10:06 AM

i actually think it looked better before- I don't like the cropping of the new shot, and the lack of a background removes the context from the shot

as for the actual cloning- if you wanted the background to look patchy and uneven (like a backdrop) then well done, but if not, then I suggest you have another go at this

also there are some pretty serious artefacts around the hair

to the untrained eye this is probably fine, but my brain is trained to spot mistakes

Rupert · 07-21-2010, 02:09 PM

Originally posted by atupdate

Very nice cloning job Rupert. The background looks like a professional backdrop was used.

Tim

Thanks......the background was the main emphasis of my work in this one, so if you like it that is reason enough to stay out of the heat a little longer! LOL!
Regards!

Rupert · 07-21-2010, 02:17 PM

Originally posted by clark

i actually think it looked better before- I don't like the cropping of the new shot, and the lack of a background removes the context from the shot

as for the actual cloning- if you wanted the background to look patchy and uneven (like a backdrop) then well done, but if not, then I suggest you have another go at this

also there are some pretty serious artefacts around the hair

to the untrained eye this is probably fine, but my brain is trained to spot mistakes

Yes, I agree with that analysis...pretty much. If it was going to be up to standards it would require more attention and also the RAW file which I have but can't find.......I just worked with the downsized copy. I personally liked the first one with the gift packages, which did give it some context....but didn't quite fit the "portrait mode".
Thanks for the comments, they are helpful.....and although not "music to my ears'....they were spot on and honest. Still, it wasn't bad enough to send me back out in the high heat outside! LOL!
Regards!

icywarm · 07-21-2010, 08:30 PM

Try softening it a bit... see if that helps the artifacts... I think that is what bugs me about the new one....

Rupert · 07-22-2010, 06:39 AM

Originally posted by icywarm

Try softening it a bit... see if that helps the artifacts... I think that is what bugs me about the new one....

If I were to get this right....I would need to find the RAW file and start all over.....meanwhile, here is a BW that has been softened a little. I am not well versed in BW conversions, but if someone that was could do a good one, it might be my preference of this particular shot.
Best Regards! & Thanks for the comment/advice!
[IMG]

[/IMG]

icywarm · 07-22-2010, 10:06 AM

look at the curve on this photo... I would guess the darks are very dark and the whites very white... for me personally I might dial both in a bit towards the middle and see if some texture will come to the shoulders and top of her head... i like the face, her eye really pop for me...

Rupert · 07-22-2010, 02:11 PM

Originally posted by icywarm

look at the curve on this photo... I would guess the darks are very dark and the whites very white... for me personally I might dial both in a bit towards the middle and see if some texture will come to the shoulders and top of her head... i like the face, her eye really pop for me...

I did try the adjustment and it gave it some improvement....took away some of the "dullness". The detail is in the RAW ...if I ever find it? I am not the best at processing, but I am betting someone that is could get this photo right.
Best Regards! & Thanks!

07-21-2010, 07:15 AM	#1
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	Something Old... Lens: Tokina 28-70 2.8 ATX-AF Camera: K20D Photo Location: Texas ISO: 800 Shutter Speed: 1/90s Aperture: F4.5 In the boredom of being stuck inside during a bad heatwave with high humidity, I have been experimenting with some older shots to see the possibilities..... I took this two years ago and decided to try and make a portrait with a better background. Does it work for you, or should I go back outside in the heat? LOL! Original ( It was also a crop of the original file) [IMG][/IMG] New background....done in E7 [IMG][/IMG] Best Regards!

07-22-2010, 06:39 AM	#7
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123 Original Poster	Originally posted by icywarm Try softening it a bit... see if that helps the artifacts... I think that is what bugs me about the new one.... If I were to get this right....I would need to find the RAW file and start all over.....meanwhile, here is a BW that has been softened a little. I am not well versed in BW conversions, but if someone that was could do a good one, it might be my preference of this particular shot. Best Regards! & Thanks for the comment/advice! [IMG][/IMG]

07-21-2010, 09:16 AM	#2
atupdate Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dayton, OH Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,724	Very nice cloning job Rupert. The background looks like a professional backdrop was used. Tim

07-21-2010, 10:06 AM	#3
clark Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 301	i actually think it looked better before- I don't like the cropping of the new shot, and the lack of a background removes the context from the shot as for the actual cloning- if you wanted the background to look patchy and uneven (like a backdrop) then well done, but if not, then I suggest you have another go at this also there are some pretty serious artefacts around the hair to the untrained eye this is probably fine, but my brain is trained to spot mistakes

07-21-2010, 02:09 PM	#4
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123 Original Poster	Originally posted by atupdate Very nice cloning job Rupert. The background looks like a professional backdrop was used. Tim Thanks......the background was the main emphasis of my work in this one, so if you like it that is reason enough to stay out of the heat a little longer! LOL! Regards!

07-21-2010, 02:17 PM	#5
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123 Original Poster	Originally posted by clark i actually think it looked better before- I don't like the cropping of the new shot, and the lack of a background removes the context from the shot as for the actual cloning- if you wanted the background to look patchy and uneven (like a backdrop) then well done, but if not, then I suggest you have another go at this also there are some pretty serious artefacts around the hair to the untrained eye this is probably fine, but my brain is trained to spot mistakes Yes, I agree with that analysis...pretty much. If it was going to be up to standards it would require more attention and also the RAW file which I have but can't find.......I just worked with the downsized copy. I personally liked the first one with the gift packages, which did give it some context....but didn't quite fit the "portrait mode". Thanks for the comments, they are helpful.....and although not "music to my ears'....they were spot on and honest. Still, it wasn't bad enough to send me back out in the high heat outside! LOL! Regards!

07-21-2010, 08:30 PM	#6
icywarm Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Saskatchewan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,278	Try softening it a bit... see if that helps the artifacts... I think that is what bugs me about the new one....

07-22-2010, 10:06 AM	#8
icywarm Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Saskatchewan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,278	look at the curve on this photo... I would guess the darks are very dark and the whites very white... for me personally I might dial both in a bit towards the middle and see if some texture will come to the shoulders and top of her head... i like the face, her eye really pop for me...

07-22-2010, 02:11 PM	#9
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123 Original Poster	Originally posted by icywarm look at the curve on this photo... I would guess the darks are very dark and the whites very white... for me personally I might dial both in a bit towards the middle and see if some texture will come to the shoulders and top of her head... i like the face, her eye really pop for me... I did try the adjustment and it gave it some improvement....took away some of the "dullness". The detail is in the RAW ...if I ever find it? I am not the best at processing, but I am betting someone that is could get this photo right. Best Regards! & Thanks!