Apr 06 Contest Discussion

[T Paul]

Add your comments, questions or general discussion about the April Contest entries as well as the contest itself here. This is also a great place to share your techniques or ask others about theirs.

[1STLITE]

Maybe it is just me, but I am feeling a bit paralized by the not glamour but retouch but still a snapshot thing. Wondering what would be appropriate to do with the pic. Would love to hear everyone's opinions on this.

Dawn

[studioj]

I wish someone could translate this to an understable english:

"The goal is to just make it more flattering while keeping the snapshot look"

What does mean "more flattering", this is the base of the contest, but I don't know what to do.

[T Paul]

Further clarification coming soon...

[byRo]

Seems like definition time comes around again....

As I see it a GLAMOUR retouch uses the original image only as a base, nothing guarantees that the final image will look anything like the person in the original shot - so everything goes. The only thing that matters is the final image produced, there is no need to fairly represent the subject.

For a portrait that is not glamour, the best word we've come up with (up to now) is PORTRAIT retouch. With this you must respect the initial subject.
You may make some improvements here and there but anyone who looks at the final image should recognize (without doubt) the original subject.

Resume:
Glamour: Final image is everything;
Portrait: Semblance to the original is obrigatory, improve as possible.

T, I was trying to help. If I got it wrong - just holler, OK?

Rô

[1STLITE]

Ro, I would totally be on the same page as your except for the stipulation that it must still look like a "snapshot". Portrait to me says professional and professional to me does not say "snapshot". This may be just me. But, I am patient. I will wait for further clarification.

Dawn

[T Paul]

Spot on!

Thanks Rô!

(I was running my page long explaination by Doug, but I like yours better...short and to the point)

[1STLITE]

Thanks TPaul and Ro! The clarification is very much appreciated.!


Dawn

[NancyJ]

To me it means, make her look more photogenic. Make the image look like a non-pro, snapshop pic but make it so the picture is flattering to the subject.

The poor kid's got spots, teenage greasy skin, eye bags, her hair is tied back scruffily, her bra straps are showing and someones shoved a camera in her face . It doesnt mean she's not a pretty girl - but this picture probably isnt one she'd want shown around school

My interpretation of the breif is to make the picture look like a realistic snapshot (no arty stuff) but addressing the 'non-permanent' flaws on the subject.

[Peth]

Sorry to be painful but would I be right in saying that applying makeup and giving her a bit of a hairdo is acceptable but giver her a nose job and lipo is not... that's how I see it. Yes? No?

[T Paul]

By non-glamour retouching, I am hoping to see more natural retouching and subtle changes verses high level changes such as digital plastic surgery and fashion model make-up.

Slight Changes such as red eye removal, color/tone corrections, removing or smoothing lines and wrinkles, whitening whites, removing fly-away hair, blemish removal, slight skin smoothing, removing dark circles under eyes, hiding bra straps and such. These are slight changes that if done the person would still be recognizable as that person.

Higher level changes that would qualify more as glamour retouching would be digital plastic surgery where you really alter a person. Examples of this would be changing features such as shrinking a nose, reshaping lips, removing body weight, changing hair color/eye color, adding extensive make-up, hair extensions and so on.

[Peth]

Think I've got it now... more challenging than it looks in a way... could be another close one!

[aylaah]

I'd just like to say that they chose this picture because it didn't 'capture my natural prettiness' (well others were rejected because they did, apparently).

So be nice when you pick on my bra straps and spots, people! I was told to eat french fries before snapping!!!! Those spots are on purpose!!!!! lol

[aylaah]

oh I forgot to ask am I ineligible to enter?

[Peth]

I'd love to see your entry and thankyou for being so brave as to post a pic of yourself for us all to do our worst on! Can't as I'd pluck up the courage. Damn those french fries!!!

This is a really interesting task. In explaining the job at hand to my wife I think I solved it for myself. I tried to think of the scenario where someone would want to retouch this pic and came up with the idea that if it were a 'real' job, it might have been because there was only one picture taken of you when you were 16, 17 or 18 (for arguement's sake) and you didn't want to remember yourself quite in that way.

With that in mind I thought if you hadn't just had a camera shoved in your face and had you had a little time to do your hair nicely and splash on a bit of lippy etc, then that's what your retouch should look like.

So that's what I'm doing.. or trying to do anyway. As always I'm learning so plz forgive me if the results don't turn out quite right!

Onya girl.

Peth

[aylaah]

I think your description sounds good - trying to make the 'only' photo more flattering, as if it were better set up/lighted etc, a good photo of the same subject.

Will I take the compliment on the age range you offered? LOL This is me last week, at 24 lol It was about 3am however!

I guess, seeing as I'm here and all, in my opinion when I have a look at what you all do, I'll be judging based on 'does that still look like me', and knowing me I guess I have a better idea of what I *can* look like if I bother, lol.

[studioj]

I love the idea to retouch a member's pic, really, I was wondering if could be possible just for fun to make a challenge to retouch our own photo, it could be fun.

Ok, I'll ask my female coworker to remove your bra strips, that way I will not get close to that area to respect

[Ziaphra]

Hi aylaah...I was just wondering if you want the bra in or out of the picture?

[NancyJ]

Originally Posted by aylaah

I think your description sounds good - trying to make the 'only' photo more flattering, as if it were better set up/lighted etc, a good photo of the same subject.

Will I take the compliment on the age range you offered? LOL This is me last week, at 24 lol It was about 3am however!

I guess, seeing as I'm here and all, in my opinion when I have a look at what you all do, I'll be judging based on 'does that still look like me', and knowing me I guess I have a better idea of what I *can* look like if I bother, lol.

wow, you're older than me (just)
Alas, mother nature has not been so kind to me

[Peth]

Hey guys, I just noticed that there are a few entries that haven't got the member names as the file names. You may want to edit and reload your files to make the voting process easier... by the looks, it's gonna be hard enough as it is!!! For instance, if you call your entry Aylaah I'm might give the votes to Aylaah instead of you!

Hooroo for now,

Peth

[HannibalVector]

Wow, a lott of entries allready, this one is going fast.
I did noticed btw that some of you don't have de required size. Ferdberfel, something went wrong again. I hope you can fix in time.
Aylaah, what exactly are the bra straps? I thought it was the purple straps, am I wrong?

[Peth]

Hannibal, I'd be a wee bit concerned if Aylaah was wearing her bra over the top of her blouse! Ithink whatever's underneath is safe to be regarded as bra of nature.

Ferdberfel, what programme are you using? If it's photoshop then you can use the save for web option to solve your probs.

At this rate of entries voting could take another month!

[aylaah]

The purple thin straps are a dress, with bra-like straps so I understand the confusion - the black ones are the real straps though.

Oops I didn't name my file properly either, so I better do that too, thanks for the reminder!

[Janet Petty]

Too late. I already made the black straps the dress straps. I suppose it doesn't matter in that we can't see the below.

Nice picture. You look young for your age. That's a compliment btw.

Janet

[aylaah]

You're absolutely right, it doesn't matter at all!

Thanks for the compliment, lol

[Peth]

Cathsaigh, very funny dude. Aylaah, what have you been up to?

[aylaah]

Huh? Don't understand the context of the question, up to with regard to what? lol Its too early (1:30pm, I'm only 'alive' after midnight, haha)

I'm loving the entries though, its nice to see you didn't all go oooh no way, and leave it lol.

[HannibalVector]

Hahaha Aylaah, what have you been up to that there is a mugshot of you!

[aylaah]

lol I saw the post here before the mugshot! LOL Ahh I guess they finally caught up with me, hey?

Gawd my family will love that one, mummy is a criminal!!! lol

[terivon]

Originally Posted by NancyJ

wow, you're older than me (just)
Alas, mother nature has not been so kind to me

Ahh, Nancy, I'm nearly twice as old as you both, and all I can say is that Mother Nature has had quite a bit of fun with me over the years. I've been twisted and pulled, and injured in the process.. as an artist I'm patient, the finished sculpture is bound to be one of beauty to a discerning eye. My husband tells me tree bark can be heartbreakingly more beautiful than flower petals, if one just stops to take in the perspective.

Ehh.. I'm thinking it's a lighting issue, but it does give me hope I'm sure you're just lovely