Hello All!!

I've just finished completing a portrait retouch of my wife on our wedding day.

The attached file contains the "before" picture which I have made adjustments to.

Oops... here it is...

After...
And here is the "after" shot...

I've added my own backdrop (created in about 1 minute) and added "digital slimming" (don't tell my wife or she'll kill me )

Do you like what I've done??? Any other comments?

Thank you for taking the time to view this.


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Beautiful wife and work Eric. Maybe, only my opinion, lighten her face a small bit. She is so pretty it might add to the effect. Maybe a soft light. She must be so proud.
Debbie

You did an excellent job of extracting her from the background. However, these kinds of backgrounds are not good. Instead, take the original background and deemphasize it by blurring, lightening, or distorting, making the bride the most important element in the picture.

Mig

What a great pictue!
I have to agree with Mig about the background, in a sense. We all recognize it as a "clouds" background, so it's more obvious, but perhaps others wouldn't. I do like the idea of de-emphasizing the original background.
The only thing I would add, would be to tidy up the stray strands of hair.
I hope you don't mind, but this is such a lovely shot, and it reminds me of the vintage wedding portraits, that I had to see what it would look like......

Thanks for the tips guys!

Mig, I took your advice and tried blurring the original background... does this look any better? (Boy do I love using Layers... it makes our job so easy ;) )

It looks much much better. Very pretty. The only thing I'd consider is to touch up under her eyes a little, but not much. If you look closely you can see two lines under each eye. A more flattering, natural and healthy look is for there to be only one line, the first you see under her lower lids, something along the lines of this attachment, via painting or cloning or both.
Mig

Thanks Mig! You've been a great help... I will make the adjustments and see what my wife thinks.

Good job - I agree with all - just an added comment that the original clouds background would also be great if the left side had the texture and feel of the right side behind her. The higher contrast and repeating patterns on the left side pull your eye.

Don't get me wrong, I also like the softening of the original background, keeping it part of the original story and environment - either way is good; your wife might prefer the stairway because that is what really happened and it was home with those sweet memories - or she might prefer the painted backgroud framing a new and special portrait - all depends on her personality. If I can be bold enough to guess her personality from the photo - I guess stairway - let us know ...

Good Luck, Roger

Hi,

Great job with the photo - there is some more you can do :)

The wrinkles which occur at the right side of the neck can be smoothed out using some cloning/healing brush work, and a small bit of work on the laughter lines. Cant think of anything else, lovely looking wife and great work on the photo - you should be proud of a) how good a job you did and b) what a lovely starting point you have - he he he

Hi Eric,

I can't add anything more to what has already been said. Great subject and image!

my contribution to your wife.

Thanks MrJazz looks great!

I love the way one picture can be altered to look totally different from one another AND still look great!

:)

Originally posted by KevinBE
Hi Eric,

I can't add anything more to what has already been said. Great subject and image!

I like what you did.