Critique Picture - Be Critical

[Graphics23]

Originally Posted by lurch

Michael,

Superb job with both the retouch and the writing. Your skill and experience in both really shows. Channeling Dan Margulis?

Thank you!

Yes, the channel blending and LAB moves are based on what I've learned from the master, Dan Margulis.

It amuses me to think back and remember a time when looking at the individual RGB channels made me say, "what possible point is there to these things?"

Let's see... that was PSv3 if I remember correctly.

The more I grow as a 'shopper the more I realize "every image has 10 channels".

Now I don't touch a single pixel without taking a tour of the channels first.

Regards,

Michael

[keiser]

Well, Picture was really to bright and over saturated.

I did a hue/adj layer to take out color, curves layer to fix some of the hightlights, levels layer to even out light and dark, added softness and a white feathered border.

[lurch]

Originally Posted by Graphics23

Yes, the channel blending and LAB moves are based on what I've learned from the master, Dan Margulis.

You do the master proud, Michael. Margulis' analytic approach resonates with the old researcher in me, and I've been working hard to wrap myself around the ten channels. Got a loooong way to go, though.

I for one am looking forward to hearing much more from you - you have so much to offer us all. No more of this lurking nonsense, now!

[Graphics23]

Originally Posted by lurch

You do the master proud, Michael. Margulis' analytic approach resonates with the old researcher in me, and I've been working hard to wrap myself around the ten channels. Got a loooong way to go, though.

I for one am looking forward to hearing much more from you - you have so much to offer us all. No more of this lurking nonsense, now!

You do me too much honor.

Dan's skills are amazing. I had the pleasure of meeting him at Photoshop world in Boston last month. Some of the techniques he presented were absolutely breathtaking.

Thank you again for your kind words.

Best regards,

Michael

[phillip6653]

I want to thank everyone for there post, all comments are greatly appreciated. I think I am going to look at Scott Kelbys "channels book". I am not as versed in channels as I wouls like to be. I may work on the photo and post the results.

Thanks again,
Terrence

[Graphics23]

Hi Terrence,

I'm going to be writing a tech article on channel blending in the near future.

I'm not a photographer, so finding good example images is often a problem for me.

Would you have any objection to me using my before and after shots of this picture as part of the presentation?

Regards,

Michael

[phillip6653]

Michael,
Please feel free to use my picture in your tech article. Just Let me know when your article is out so I can take a look at it.

[lurch]

Originally Posted by phillip6653

. . . I think I am going to look at Scott Kelbys "channels book". . .

I strongly recommend both of Dan Margulis' books, "Professional Photoshop" (fifth edition) and "Photoshop LAB Color" as well. While they're not an easy read and require study and restudy, they present the fundamentals of working with channels. Kelby's channels book is an easy read; it describes how to do a bunch of cool tricks but says little about why they work.

I'd classify Margulis' books as textbooks and Kelby's as a recipe book. Which you prefer is a matter of personal choice, of course. I have all three books and have read all of them cover to cover. I refer to Margulis constantly, have gone back to Kelby maybe twice.

Carole

[Graphics23]

Originally Posted by lurch

I strongly recommend both of Dan Margulis' books, "Professional Photoshop" (fifth edition) and "Photoshop LAB Color" as well. While they're not an easy read and require study and restudy, they present the fundamentals of working with channels. Kelby's channels book is an easy read; it describes how to do a bunch of cool tricks but says little about why they work.

I'd classify Margulis' books as textbooks and Kelby's as a recipe book. Which you prefer is a matter of personal choice, of course. I have all three books and have read all of them cover to cover. I refer to Margulis constantly, have gone back to Kelby maybe twice.

Carole

I heartily agree! You can't do any better then Dan Margulis. I've read them all; Kelby, McClelland, Cross, Fraser, Blatner, and more. None of them have had the impact on my skills that Dan's teaching has had. Even Katrin Eisman doesn't come close, and her books are pretty good.

I suggest starting with the LAB book. It presents concepts that are quite accessible and immediately useful. It will definitely take you several readings to absorb everything in the second half, but the first half will absolutely transform how you approach using Photoshop.

Then if you're still hungry for more try tackling Professional Photoshop Fifth Edition. Many consider it to be quite a bit harder than the LAB book. But if you can make it through even one reading it will raise you to a whole new level of skill.

I've read and reread everything I can find by Mr. Margulis. Even after several readings I still come away with a deeper understanding of what it must be like to truly be a master of Photoshop.

Hi Carole! It's great to have another Margulis fan around.

Terrence, thanks for letting me use your picture. I'll certainly let you know when the article is ready.

Regards,

Michael

[phillip6653]

Lurch and Graphics23,

I want to thank you for your book sugestions. I purchased on online and just started to read it and I can already tell it is going to help. I can also tell it is going to take forever for me to read this (slow reader with not alot of time) but never the less I will get through it.

Thanks again,
Terrence