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Image Help Got a problem image? Don't know where to begin? Upload images and ask our users what they think or if they can help

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  #1  
Old 05-09-2008, 10:55 AM
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Ideas for adding interest to photo?

Hi ~ I've been looking around at lots of great help here and trying to apply it to the attached photo. I keep hitting my head against the wall, though. I'd like to frame the attached photo for a friend (she gave me original & I scanned).

The photo seems so boring to me ~ maybe not to others? My first thought was to try and pop the colors but I'm no expert. Does anyone have any suggestions on ways to add interest to this photograph? I did crop it (also attached) but I just can't get into a creative gear to know where to start.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions :~)
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File Type: jpg Parents.jpg (91.6 KB, 44 views)
File Type: jpg Parents-Cropped.jpg (96.2 KB, 57 views)
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  #2  
Old 05-09-2008, 12:37 PM
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Re: Ideas for adding interest to photo?

I came up with this... Crop with white stroke, rotated. Background blurred, texture added with a gradient blue to green above with lowered opacity.

I think just the closer crop is nice by itself
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File Type: jpg old-folks.jpg (50.1 KB, 47 views)
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  #3  
Old 05-09-2008, 01:03 PM
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Re: Ideas for adding interest to photo?

very clever ~ thank you so much! it is hard to get out of the box so to speak once you've locked yourself in (which i had). thanks again!
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  #4  
Old 05-09-2008, 02:52 PM
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Re: Ideas for adding interest to photo?

Just thought I would add mine to the mix. Used the LAB color space to steep the colors. Blurred the background to put more focus on the couple.

dc
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File Type: jpg couple1.jpg (180.1 KB, 58 views)
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  #5  
Old 05-09-2008, 07:26 PM
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Re: Ideas for adding interest to photo?

wow ~ that came out quite nicely! i had been trying to get that brighter pink on her dress & you did it so easily. even his shirt & tie look more vivid!

i really think this is a difficult photo to spice up so thank you, thank you, thank you!!
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  #6  
Old 05-09-2008, 09:15 PM
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Re: Ideas for adding interest to photo?

I just cropped to thirds. I thought they took the picture by the landscaping because it was nice, so I kept the main part. Adjusted levels, cleaned up a few specks and added a frame.
Paint Shop Pro X2 does a horrible job compressing photos, so I had to make it smaller to keep it under 100k. The frame may have something to do with it too.
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File Type: jpg Parentsframe.jpg (94.9 KB, 41 views)
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Old 05-10-2008, 11:57 AM
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Re: Ideas for adding interest to photo?

thanks, RoHape! This is great, too. I think you're right about the landscaping but this certainly highlights it and follows the golden rule. I like the frame around, it, too, and the way you achieved a good contrast.

thanks so much for the help everyone!
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Old 05-10-2008, 12:02 PM
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Re: Ideas for adding interest to photo?

No problem, anytime. Thank you for the compliments,
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Old 05-10-2008, 01:59 PM
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Re: Ideas for adding interest to photo?

Duplicated image.

Applied feathered eliptical mask to top layer.

Lightened and blurred bottom (background layer).

Cropped for portrait frame.

Cleaned up and tweaked levels on top layer.
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File Type: jpg Parents copy.jpg (151.5 KB, 23 views)
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Old 05-10-2008, 03:39 PM
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Re: Ideas for adding interest to photo?

You could use PSPx2 or any program generating frames to add one.
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File Type: jpg Parentsc.jpg (92.3 KB, 35 views)
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  #11  
Old 05-10-2008, 09:27 PM
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Re: Ideas for adding interest to photo?

Chillin-

I really like your framed version of the picture.

dc
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  #12  
Old 05-11-2008, 05:41 PM
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Re: Ideas for adding interest to photo?

Thank you, Gary & Chillin! I'm now playing with different filters to see if this effect might render nicely with some of the ideas suggested on this thread.

I'd be curious what reactions there are to the attached version?
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File Type: jpg Adding interest.jpg (80.0 KB, 23 views)
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  #13  
Old 05-11-2008, 07:14 PM
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Re: Ideas for adding interest to photo?

How about a painting.

Click here. Attached is a thumbnail only.
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File Type: jpg parentscroppedac3.th.jpg (7.1 KB, 27 views)
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  #14  
Old 05-11-2008, 07:35 PM
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Re: Ideas for adding interest to photo?

Oh yes, I am definately leaning this way now! I really like how more simplistic (less busy) it becomes with the way you've done the colors. It also allows the subjects to stand out more...

I'm curious if you mind sharing what techniques you used? I think I would want to retain a little more clarity of their faces but not so much that it's too distracting if that makes sense?
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Old 05-11-2008, 10:15 PM
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Re: Ideas for adding interest to photo?

Used Impressionist plug-in and some selective coloring around the hair (don't like green hair; lol). Also some bumpmapping for the texture. Easy to describe, but hard to outline. I'm more a doing then an outliner unfortunately, but Impressionist (many links on this forum; here's Steve's (Trimoon) site where you can get it) is a very powerful simplifier filter for painterly effects and a must have in my book. I did add some Chrome (gave it that emboss paint feel) for additional relief, and canvas texture too.
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