Hi, I'm new to your site and would love some advice on some pics for pp. I'm intermediate in Photoshop and am self taught. I am working with CS3. My ulitmate goal it to learn all I can and to impove my skills.

I took photos at my FIL's wedding that was on a boat. The lighting was a huge challenge, blown out hightlights in background (!!), etc. Many of the pictures came out underexposed and some were too blurry (I was just getting familiar with my new digital camera in manual mode at the time). I would like to give them some pics for memory's sake. Many came out very well, but many came out like the pic attached.

I don't think these look natural enough and would love to know how I can pp better. I used a noise ware, then sharpened (just a little) with high pass (wish I hadn't at all). Didn't like it so, additionally (probably a mistake) adjusted with USM. I did all the regular things like adjusting curves and colors, took out the horrible light reflections on her arm (which are in almost every pic). I've gotten really good at cloning them out. ;) Also, I don't know how, but I lost resolution and the conversions are all 96 dpi. I used jpeg and kept them at 300 dpi. When and how the heck did that happen!!!!??

I think this pic looks too plastic and here are my examples. The last is probably what I would go with. I added an action that gives it more of a glow and cleans up the skin a little. I don't know, I need a pro's opinion!!

Can I do a better job?

Thanks for any help!! I have many to work on, this is only an example but a pic that I know they would want to have.


#1. SOOC (straight out of camera).
#2. My pp.
#3. BW conversion (Terrible!!)it tho.
#4. Added a soft action.

The first one is kinda blurred, If you ask me which is better among the four photos. I would probably choose the 2nd one. The last one is kinda too much for me. Well that's just my opinion :-)

I have found that there is usually more than one one way to crop almost every photo..

My approach was a little different and looks a little plastic also but I think your picture is salvageable..

I cut out some of the space between the couple softened the background and did a tight crop

~~Original~~~Adjusted~

Wow! I really like that! I would have never thought to crop it to get them closer together like that! Love the crop! Your colors are so rich and deep! If only she didn't look so "smooth", it would be great! Thanks so much for playing with it! You people are so wonderful! I had another member send me what he did and I was in awe. I'm so impressed! I want to be like you all!

Mchilly, the first pic is sooc (straight out of camera) and that was part of my problem, cleaning up the blur along with the under exposure.

Thanks again!!

If it is to plastic/smooth then a small amount of noise added to the womans skin (this example is 2%) works wonders

Yes, that helps a lot! It makes a big difference. :)

Have fun and Practice Cubed!