What so you think?

[amica999]

I have been playing around, and don't get me wrong, I know that this is a rather bad shot, but I kind of like it. I have no intension of going "pro", just make my pics a bit nicer...:-) I really don't remember what I did, but selective color, curves, sharpening, some shadow and highlight adjustment where done. Skin was done with clone stamp and byRo's degrunge - thank you byRo - I am very fond of this technique. Kindly have a look and if you please let me kow what could be improved? Thank you

Regards Amica

[amica999]

forgot...if you want to play, be my guest...:-)

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...hten200445.jpg

[byRo]

Originally Posted by amica999

thank you byRo

You're welcome.

You could help us by posting just the images - before / after. The size is too small to really form an opinion.
Look here:http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/ima...html#post75171

Rô

[amica999]

ByRo, sorry, I forgot...

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j..._retouched.jpg

[byRo]

Originally Posted by amica999

....but I kind of like it. I have no intention of going "pro", just make my pics a bit nicer...:-)

Amica, I don't see where they are two different things. The aim of a "pro" is to make pics nicer too.

Maybe that's why you overdid this. If you kind of liked the image, then you just needed to bring out what you liked - not do a complete overhaul.

I was going to write a load of things, but seeing as you were nice to me, I'll post my version. Hope you can spot the differences.

Rô

[Alison]

Hi Amica,

The image isn't the best, and you're trying to make it great .... I don't think that is going to work very well in this case.

I took the tack of trying to improve the image itself, without turning it into a glamour shot.

[amica999]

Alison, ByRo, thank you for your constructive comments and your willingness to show me your versions. I'll keep in mind not to so heavi-handed next time :-)

[0lBaldy]

Amica,
I wanted to play so here is my version
Edited: my monitor must have been off (or my old eyes)
maybe this revised version has a little better color

revised

[duwayne]

I have tended to push a number of images too far and recovered by blending the overdone version with the original. I your case, I used 60% opacity on your retouched version blended with your original. It tends to bring it back to a more natural looking snapshot.

[amica999]

OB, duwayne, thank you for your efforts. I knew I got carried away a bid.... was still fun, but you are all so right....it's overdone. Nice tip, duwayne, should keep this in mind.