Thoughts please

[Blindv]

Hey all, it's been some time since I posted anything here (ages in fact). I went down to a local river this weekend and snapped a few candid shots of some friends and wanted to get some feedback on a couple of them.

I didn't do much in the area of retouching simply because I wanted to leave the majority of their "natural selves" in tackt. The image of Chris, you will note, does have a green cast to it, and this was intentional.

Feedback = Improvement

thanks all!
-James

[TommyO]

It appears as though you may have used a plug-in to do some overall contrast adjustment. It revealed a bit more than many would find appealing. You might tone it down just a bit, then mask and reduce the blemish enhancement in some areas. For example, it revealed a bit too much on the guys (no hat) shoulder, and also makes his neck look grungy/dirty rather than tanned.

I'm fine with the contour adjustments (no hat) and the hair does look better as you have it. Background is good on this one.

The hat image just doesn't strike me as being as good or successful in reaching your image style. Something about the color, light direction, and maybe just too much hat. Worth re-examining.

[Blindv]

Thanks for the feedback Tommy!

The contrast adjustments were actually a combination of black level and luminosity adjustments to the RAW data coupled with a softlight layer which I applied a monotone channel mixes. I believe I see what you're talking about, and I think the "grunge" is actually (nasty as it is) peeling skin from his sunburn which I overlooked, I will go back and remove this from the final image, is that what you were speaking of?

On the hat image, do you think a levels adjustment and a tighter crop might be in order?

Thanks so much for the use of your eyes!!

[TommyO]

Originally Posted by Blindv

On the hat image, do you think a levels adjustment and a tighter crop might be in order?

That may very well do it. Just playing around with it on the screen, the brim of the hat looks good and adds an element of intrigue. Much more than that becomes distracting. I'm sure you will find the right mix.