Critiques - - makeover magic

yelhsaneerg · #1 09-17-2006, 12:55 PM

i took took a plain picture of my sister and wanted to make it something we could frame, and give it a young hip yet almost classic vibe, does that make sense? this is what i came up with and i'd appreciate it if you could let me know what u think...please don't be TOO harsh though, thanks a lot!

the first pic is the original, the 2nd pic is my first attempt, and the 3rd is after learning a little more, and i just now realized that yes her right hand wasn't cut out neatly and the white is showing thru, it is easily fixed and i just don't wanna do it right now lol

duwayne · #2 09-17-2006, 09:29 PM

I like the idea of the black background. It leaves the mirror to the imagination (or could also be twins). Your execution is quite good but I have the following comments:
- The third photo has very thin lines running horizontal and at 45 degrees. I don’t know where these came from.
- The use of blur has caused lose if detail in the face and hair. Printing an 8x10 will look cloudy. I started with your original photo (trying to achieve the same end results), ran it through Neat Image to filter out some of the digital noise, then used de-grunge process on the skin.
- There is a slight cyan colorcast in her white top.
- The left eye of her reflection in the mirror needs work.
- The white is a little too bright. I typically lower the white point slider down to 245 (and the black point slider up to about 4).
- Lips are a little dull compared to her eyes and the beads. I increased red saturation in her lips
- Her left is too bright and the ring is blown out. I darkened her left hand and added a ring flare to make the ring sparkle.

Anyway, for what it’s worth I have attached my results below.

yelhsaneerg · #3 09-19-2006, 08:39 PM

just trying to keep this thread alive....i'd love more critiques!

thanks to those that have already

ashley

solitear · #4 09-19-2006, 09:14 PM

Hi Ashley....... I really like your retouch ........ the black background is the perfect "frame" for your beautiful sister........ I'm probably not the best person to offer a critique since I pretty much go with the feel of a picture rather than looking at the technical stuff and I like the feel of this picture..... the only thing I could say that "left me wanting a little more" was not getting to see her eye......

I think it is a very striking photo but I wonder what I'd be thinking if she were looking into the mirror....... just my take on it and, if that's all I could find to criticize, big deal, huh......

Really, you've done a great job and I like the edgy yet feminine pose, too!

Beth

yelhsaneerg · #5 09-19-2006, 10:12 PM

thanks so much for the critique Solitear...i feel the same way you do as far as the feel of the pic over the technical stuff...i actually put this pic on an amateur photography contest site and i got a thing in the mail letting me know it was going to be published....the book comes out march 31, 2007 so i guess that's not too bad of a job :P...also, i think i read somewhere that you're from houston...is that right (maybe i'm confused) but i'm from lake jackson..not too far...anyways, thanks for your input!

ashley

solitear · #6 09-20-2006, 04:49 AM

Hi Ashley....... hey, that's just wonderful and so encouraging about your photo and the book! And what a bonus that you do the photography and the retouching..... that has got to open all kinds of avenues for you to express your artistic ability!

Yes, you read right, I'm from Houston...... born there and lived there my whole life...... and still not used to the heat and humidity........ guess you know all about that, too......

Well, keep going with your photography and retouching..... it's fun to see your interesting posts knowing they aren't your basic cookie cutter portraits........ I like your work!

oxoxox
Beth

Cassidy · #7 09-20-2006, 08:41 AM

I hate this Ashley, but first hand, my daughter excited with Euphoria has hounded me to death over those exciting snail mails from www.picture.com and www.poetry.com looking so absolutely authentic. When I read the garb, I immediately thought to myself "scam".

A google search provides this:

Poetry Contest ~ Exercise caution ~ Poetry Contest

Serious poets consider the International Library of Poetry contests and their affiliated organizations to be unethical, and their free poetry contests a scheme designed to prey on amateur poets by relieving them of their money.

Affiliated Organizations

--International Library of Poetry
--National Library of Poetry
--Poetry.com
--International Society of Poets
--International Poetry Hall of Fame
--Watermark Press
--Birthwrites
--International Lib
--Pegasus Press
--International Society of Photography
--picture.com
--Arts and Kids

A link for further reading is here
http://windpub.com/literary.scams/ilp.htm

Trully I hope I am wrong

Cassidy · #8 09-20-2006, 08:47 AM

hope I am wrong, another link
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/r...=1496&catID=69

yelhsaneerg · #9 09-20-2006, 02:57 PM

hey Cass, i thought the same thing...well kinda still do i guess i just don't wanna believe it thought cuz it sounds so good lol.....you don't have to buy anything though, i figured i'd wait til the book is published and then see what went down....anyways...thanks for the warning

ashley