T Paul should be back soon, in the meantime you'll have to put up with me abit longer.

As you can see, the photographer here (me :classic: ) didn't do a very good job. Twenty years passed, the negative didn't stand the test of time, and this 2-day old is now graduating in Mechatronics (insert two envious smilies here).

BASE FILE:
see attachment.

THE PRIZE:
A copy of Enhancer 3, donated by AKVIS

http://akvis.com/en/enhancer/index.php


THE RULES:

1. The Contest will run from 02 Feb to 21 feb 2006. Deadline for entries is 6pm GMT 21 Feb 2006.

2. This is a Restoration and Portrait Retouch: The final imge should look like it was shot yesterday, by a professional photographer, straight out of the camera (with the pixels still wet :wink: ). As a guideline for working and voting, the two techniques should be considered:
Restoration - make the photo lok like new;
Portrait Retouch - make this into a great photo, but without altering the subjects.

3. Your final image size must be exactly 800 by 600 px, in either orientation. Other sizes will be disqualified. Also remember that the file cannot be larger than 100KB.

4. When you submit your entry put your username and the contest date in the filename (ie: byRo-feb06.jpg). This is so users can save the images to a local directory and remember who did what - important when it comes time to vote.

5. Post your entries to this thread. Please restrict your comments, questions or discussion to the Feb 06 Contest Discussion thread (http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12720). Inappropriately placed posts will be deleted.

6. Only one entry per person, although you may change your entry up to the deadline.

7. Voting will run from 22 Feb to 28 Feb 2006. Only those with entries may vote. You will vote for the 5 best entries in order. (see voting thread (http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12719) for details)

Finally, please remember that this is a friendly contest and is supposed to be a learning experience. Tips and suggestions to help others are highly encouraged.

Note: RetouchPro Moderators are allowed to enter

Ok - I'll be the first to take the leap and post my enrty. Thank you Ro for making me think! ;)

Tried to concentrate on making this a "professional photograph". This photographer would have been using softening filters and hand masking when taking the photo (purposely cropping mom's face to accent smile).

I'm jumping in right behind you! :happy:

I'll be doing little fixings along the way but I wanted to get my entry in atleast.

Improve it, certainly. Make it into a great picture, that it'll never be except in the eyes of the mother. (Criticism based on photo not subject).

I enter just so I can vote, and see if someone really can make this great.

OK, nobody look in the top right corner.

Wow toughy

Easy this! - I don't think!!!!!!!!!!!

Tough..but FUN!!

Dave

This is my first post here. Here is my entry.

Jay

...boy, was this tough! I feel like I could do anything now!! Thank you for a wonderful opportunity to learn by trial and error. I'm embarrassed to admit how many hours I spent on this....the proportions are a little (just a little) funny because I was all but finished with the picture when I realized there were size constraints in the contest requirements. It didn't look so looooong before I resized it :wink:

This is a tough one. I don't know if I can squeeze more detail out somehow but my idea was to try and make it look newer... the "as if it were shot yesterday" part stuck in my head. I'd really like to see more detail in the baby's hands and face but I just don't think I can do it convincingly.

Here is mine.

Cathy

As I walk down memory lane, I can recall very vividly photos hand painted of my brothers and thought is quite lovely. That was my heart felt expresses placed here.

Third Stab

well, this probably gets me disqualified per the rules, but i just couldnt see a 'great shot' with leaving half a head in there. now, technically, if you REALLY strain the rules, i didnt 'alter the subjects' by leaving one out. they just arent there, but they arent altered ;) (and if you buy that, i've got some property in florida i'd love to sell you).

at any rate, i just went my own way and did it up like i thought it shld be done. if it disqualifies, then it disqualifies me... c'est la vie!

and Ro, we need to have a talk about this sadistic side of you... i like it! ;)

craig

wow--a professional photographer overcome with fatherly bliss and unable to focus the camera maybe (LOL). a tough one to say the least-- all you can do is try to take the focus off that half head! This is the first version I tried on the day the contest was posted, and after 3-4 other versions, I am back around to this one. Nice work everyone.

Kate

Exceptionally great work everyone.

palomino had four versions. I was up to six when I said enough is enough.

My final version isn't great. But this contest was worth the effort to try to restore Ro's baby.

Lorraine

Since I had started working on this picture, a beautiful boy appeared to look a little bit sarcastically, like he was watching for my useless effort to fix something. And poor Mom, she can't see at all, she has no eyes...

Another tough contest, and looks like it will be equally tough to judge.. again
Lot's of good work everyone.
Not sure which version this is :o)

Here is my submission

Way too much time invested in this, and I'm still not very happy with the end result. Time to wave the white flag...

-Mark

Tricky one Ro. I'm glad T Paul's back next month! You're too sadistic. ;)

hello buddies, nice to meet you all here and share the fun of retouch!
Here is my entry :wavey:

Wanted to get mine in so I can vote! :)

Well here it is.
I can at least say "I had a try"
This was hard!!!!
Peter

My first serious retouching job.
That's why I needed a long time to finish it, right before the deadline. ( I hate deadlines, I am always late)
I am impressed by the other entry's btw.

Didn't have much time, but I wanted to try so here it is. I do enjoy these challenging photos. Each one is a learning experience.

Time ran out on me, so no frills, no grimmicks!