Critiques - - just finished

ydelle · #1 11-02-2005, 08:12 AM

I just finished another flower pic and would like some helpfull hints - I used photoshop dreamy action I got form the other site or maybe from Danny's action sets??
Dup background (dreamy action on original background)
davids simplifier-can't afford buzz
put that between the luminaton layer and simplelayer
added hue and satuation

if this pic turns out too small how do I get it larger?

Kraellin · #2 11-02-2005, 12:45 PM

ydelle,

from what i can tell it looks pretty good, but like you thought, it's a bit small. what i do before posting pics here is resize them to around 800 x 600 (or vice versa) and then save them as .jpg's in which i run the jpg optimizer to keep them at 100k or less. so, the size will be fairly large but you will lose a bit of detail in the optimization. cant be helped unless you post them on another site and simply link to them from here.

Craig

ydelle · #3 11-02-2005, 06:30 PM

Thank you - I am trying what you suggested about pic size ----here it goes
ydelle

Duv · #4 11-02-2005, 07:05 PM

I Like It!! Here's a totally subjective thought. The overall tonality is quite muted. Nothing wrong with that but maybe also try a Z Curve on the Lightness channel in LAB to give it some snap.

Cheers

Dave

Legacy~Art · #5 11-02-2005, 07:20 PM

Whats a Z Curve?

Kraellin · #6 11-02-2005, 08:30 PM

there ya go, ydelle. very lovely

Craig

ydelle · #7 11-02-2005, 09:34 PM

ya, whats a z curve??

I haven't worked in LAB before so I wouldn't know how.
Bring on the help

Duv · #8 11-03-2005, 12:10 AM

Sorry, attached is a Z Curve. Indeed, an S Curve may serve you just as well. Working in LAB Lightness helps to avoid color shifts.

Dave

edgework · #9 11-03-2005, 10:59 AM

Truth is, there are no shadows in the image. The darkest area is reading 25 in lab (dead black is 0). There's a bit more of a highlight, but not much. So keeping the curve anchors in the highlight and shadow range is somewhat wasted as there are no pixels there.

I used this curve, and then, since it was plugging a bit in the upper end, I pulled a and b curves to enhance and emphasize the color differences.

Kraellin · #10 11-03-2005, 12:53 PM

well, that makes it pop more. i like both of them, the original and this last one.

Craig

Duv · #11 11-03-2005, 03:06 PM

Edgework, I hope you're not having a pernickety day! Truth is, you're curve is a Z Curve. I had suggested using a Z Curve. Someone asked what a Z Curve was. I provided a sample of a Z Curve. I was not necessarily recommending that Z Curve although the sample I'm posting here, while not up to your high standards, shows a not unpleasing effect. Z Curve, modified Z Curve, S Curve..I think the point was enhancing contrast can give a different and "perhaps" better result. BTW, your effort is very nice.

Cheers

Dave

cinderella · #12 11-03-2005, 09:27 PM

I really like the "popped " vs better. Would a z curve on the lightness channel work as well on photos with people ? Lately , a lot of my people photos look flat. Will give this a try. Thanks.

ydelle · #13 11-05-2005, 03:35 PM

I want to thank everyone for the help. I used Duv and Edgeworks suggestions and added alittle more light. I brought it home after printing a sample on the epison 7900 and my daughter thought one of the artist I deal with had painted it. Now if I could only follow jaykita's steps for her water color look.
ydelle

Duv · #14 11-05-2005, 03:53 PM

Luv to see what you came up with!

Dave

ydelle · #15 11-05-2005, 04:50 PM

here it is I hope it is big enough - I have trouble getting pictures to the right size.
ydelle