Critiques - - First post - thoughts please

Blindv · #1 08-15-2007, 09:15 PM

Hi folks, I’ve been playing around with Photoshop for a little while, and have recently lurking around these boards. I decided it was time to register and get some opinions.

I should point out that these pictures were not taken by me; I am just using them for learning purposes.

Thanks in advance for your insight!

Before
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/e...enesis/18A.jpg

Retouched
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/e...Blesscolor.jpg

Before
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/e...enesis/19A.jpg

Retouched
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/e...9Blowcolor.jpg

CathyH · #2 08-16-2007, 06:40 AM

Blindy, I like the colors you got with the retouching, in the top one you might want some more detail on the nose, and the second one I think the eyes are too sharp.
cathy

mrbeagle · #3 08-16-2007, 11:34 AM

I think the 2nd one looks kind of like horror movie eyes. Not very flattering. I don't see the need to make a 60 year old woman look like she's in her 30s. I don't think the original pic even need that much retouching.

Blindv · #4 08-16-2007, 01:10 PM

Thanks! In review the eyes are far too sharp in comparison to the overall softness of the rest of the image.

lol, My intent on the 2nd image was more of a "can I" do a "fair amount" of resurfacing without making it appear as though I went at her with a peach crayon, as opposed to a "should I".

Thanks a lot for your thoughts!

Alison · #5 08-16-2007, 11:34 PM

Hi Blindv,

I had a go at the second image. That mark on the left hand side, below the lip was a real distraction me. What was missing from your image was a little bit of colour. I kept the lip colour, eyebrow, eyes and hair in this attempt. I think it makes her a little more balanced, even if she is a bit overprocessed

Blindv · #6 08-17-2007, 12:43 AM

I have to say I may have gone a bit overboard with the desaturation layer with the image. A bit more color adds a great deal.

Thanks!

Alison · #7 08-17-2007, 01:22 AM

Hi Blindv,

I rather like this one as a B&W as well.

Blindv · #8 08-17-2007, 03:04 AM

Did you just convert that to B&W, or did you have to do additional lighting changes as well? Also, any thoughts on the first image?

Thanks

Alison · #9 08-17-2007, 06:03 AM

Hi Blindv,

I used the black and white adjustment layer setting, I also used one of the presets and for the life of me I can't remember which one

I fiddled around with levels and the shadow/highlight filter as well. I also used gaussian blur to get the soft effect and used a layer mask to bring back the important bits - eyes, lips, eyebrows. You've probably guessed by now that I am not a teacher, I forget to remember what steps I've taken

This is my attempt at the first image you did. Looking at the image now, compared to when I did it half an hour ago, I think that I have over processed the eye a little bit. I decided to crop some from the bottom of the image as well to put more impact on her face.

Nikolas · #10 08-19-2007, 10:54 PM

Hey Blindv, Welcome!

I gotta say, your style screams "Dream Sequence" to me, and i love it! My only suggestion would be to go out an take some photographs, or ask a friend for some photos that have JUST been taken, that way you can get some practice with what the camera really captures. Both these photographs have already been retouched/manipulated to serve their purposes, and this is the reason I would suggest getting some fresh photos. Great work though!

Blindv · #11 08-20-2007, 06:13 AM

Thanks for your thoughts Nikolas! I've been searching around and I've found some images, both on this boards, and else where that I'm playing with. Perhaps I'll post something if I get the nerve

Thanks again!