Creative portrait editing help

dh photography

Senior Member
Here's the recent shot I took of my daughter to practice a concept I want to use in an upcoming shoot. Not sure which edit below that I like the best ... or if I need to go at it again from raw. Any thoughts?


image.jpg


image.jpg
 

cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
I am definitely not qualified to say much, but I prefer the second one. The only reason that I can give for it is I like the brightness which to me gives a fresh vibrant look to the photo (your daughter).
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
For me, the second image is too hot - bright. The first I find those blowouts in her hair distracting.

I love the concept, it just needs some developing. The leaf to her right side looks like it's puncturing the skin on her neck. Her expression looks a little pained like maybe she wasn't fully on board with doing it.

Nicely done capturing the light passing through the front of her eye.

Sorry that all seems all over the place.
 

Lawrence

Senior Member
Of the two I prefer the first one for the lighting and the colours in general.
But like Geaorge says there is a lot going on and a lot to detract from your beautiful daughter.

Would have been nice to have the lkeaf turned clockwise to expose her eye and have the v of the leaf on her cheek.

I would also soften the butterflies (if i was to use them).

Lots of fun innit?
 

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
Granted, I'm on a plane viewing the images on my iPad, but the second image looks too hot to me as well.

I think I understand what/why the exposure was raised from the first image, but rather than raising it globally it might work better to do local adjustments. I notice the leaf in the neck more in the boasted exposure, but I also think the dress looks better in the second image.

Touch choice to saw what's right/best, but I think you're on to it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
I would say generally they both are too warm (edit maybe my work screens are warm, will check when I get home in 5 1/2 hrs), did you use flash? I also would like to see it at f/2.8 just to see what it looks like then.
I love the idea and concept but think you could fine tune it to achieve an outstanding image.
 

dh photography

Senior Member
Thank you all so much for your feedback and advice!! So cool to have so many good and genuine people here to call friends.

I'll upload the original sonic in a few to give you an idea of where I started. Definitely too bright from the start. Had set up everything to be in the shade of the overcast skies but as we were just about to shoot the sun came back out. I tried waiting a bit but the cloud cover that came back was too thin. Had to time it just right before she was squinty from the light. Did not use the external flashes but did have them ready for the shot originally.

I think ill go back to the original and start again on two differing directions. Hopefully I can eliminate the burnouts and get a more even tone as I lower the exposure around the perimeter like the 2nd image.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I agree the second shot looks a little too hot/blown out.

Further, the eye is instinctively drawn to the brightest part of the image and all that white at the bottom of the shot, is pulling attention away from your subject. If these were my shots I'd probably go with rich, warm, saturated color on the first shot and apply a *very* subtle vignette, maybe a soft matte over the whole image.

All that being said, I love the concept and like the shot very much.
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
I like the pose and composition a lot. Really well executed. I don't see any pained expression or leaf puncturing her skin, but that's why it's good to get a bunch of opinions. We all see something different. I think I'd go somewhere between the two shots exposure wise. On the top shot I see the slightest bit of a green tint in her hair. I'll say again, great shot!
 
Great shot and idea BUT the second one is to washed out for my taste. The first one is much better to me. But that being said it is all a matter of personal taste. Which do you like?
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
Whats up with the +5 exposure compensation? :indecisiveness: I like the idea otherwise. I agree with Scott about it being on the warm side. :encouragement:
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
Thank you all so much for your feedback and advice!! So cool to have so many good and genuine people here to call friends.

I'll upload the original sonic in a few to give you an idea of where I started. Definitely too bright from the start. Had set up everything to be in the shade of the overcast skies but as we were just about to shoot the sun came back out. I tried waiting a bit but the cloud cover that came back was too thin. Had to time it just right before she was squinty from the light. Did not use the external flashes but did have them ready for the shot originally.

I think ill go back to the original and start again on two differing directions. Hopefully I can eliminate the burnouts and get a more even tone as I lower the exposure around the perimeter like the 2nd image.
Take some make shift shade if possible next time to alleviate any possible lack of cloud ;).
 

dh photography

Senior Member
DAH_4311.jpg

As you guys can see, there wasn't much done right on the original. LOL! I set this up way to fast in the front yard so I could see what my idea would like like on camera before she off to a friends. I am SOOOO glad that the girl I was shooting had to postpone. Here is a remarkable example of why practice is necessary!!

My thought was to shoot at f/2.8, but that sun stopped that. I also had to try to keep the face from being completely burnt out so the overall exposure does't match.

Having so many friends willing to pour out some of their skills and knowledge is a blessing. I'm excited that it seems the concept is really going to work, and between seeing the final results and getting such diverse and detailed pointers; I cannot wait to try this again this Sunday!
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
View attachment 232063

As you guys can see, there wasn't much done right on the original. LOL! I set this up way to fast in the front yard so I could see what my idea would like like on camera before she off to a friends. I am SOOOO glad that the girl I was shooting had to postpone. Here is a remarkable example of why practice is necessary!!

My thought was to shoot at f/2.8, but that sun stopped that. I also had to try to keep the face from being completely burnt out so the overall exposure does't match.

Having so many friends willing to pour out some of their skills and knowledge is a blessing. I'm excited that it seems the concept is really going to work, and between seeing the final results and getting such diverse and detailed pointers; I cannot wait to try this again this Sunday!
With that exposure you should be able to edit it with out blowing any highlights.
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
You needed a reflector on her dark side or a flash turned way down and softened. Then color correct, bring forward the colors, and your white of the dress just needs a little pop.
 

Lawrence

Senior Member
As [MENTION=11881]Moab Man[/MENTION] says a reflector would definitely have helped.
On top of that a diffuser above her to softent the sunlight would have given less harsh shadows and an even light distribution.

Enjoy Sunday - if you are lucky it could be overcast with even lighting.
Great to have such a beautiful model on call. :)
 

dh photography

Senior Member
Thanks again, everyone! I have to agree with many of you in how the real shot will be set up differently for the real shoot for the model/client. I'll make sure to control the ambient/natural lighting situation and use my ocf setup to put accent light where it should be. Gonna be a busy weekend with a wedding I'm co-shooting on Saturday then this model shoot then her family added in now afterwards. FUN!

Here's a new edit from scratch on the above shot. I went back away from trying to get a special filter type effect and just edited as I might normally see it. Some of your pointers helped I think. What say you??

DAH_4311-2.jpgDAH_4311.jpg
 
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Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
This last version is much better IMHO. The only think I would do (if it was my shot) is to crop to either an 8x10 or 11x14 relation. I find that 4x6 makes for weird vertical crop. If you look at paintings of masters, most portraits were in 8x10 or 11x14 relation.

For this shot, I think the main subject is her eye and cropping could make it pop up even more.

Again, just my side of the coin.
 
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