Dog picture critique: I want to help a client....

[BabiesNBellies]

Hello All,

This is my first post here so bare with me if this is posted in the wrong place.

I have a new client who I had my first shoot with over the weekend. During the shoot I met her mother who has a 16 year old dog who is on his last leg. She has always wanted a painting of her dog but has never been able to get it done for one reason or another. So when no one was looking I took a photo of the dog while no one was looking and wanted to suprise her with a painted image.

My problem is I have NO clue how to do it and I need to get these photos posted tonight. Can anyone help me or recomend an action for CS2?

Thanks,

Jeff

[TetoPR]

You can try the line art local tutorial, by Swampy i think.

[BabiesNBellies]

Ok folks, I took a look at Swampy's video and then added a flare of my own and this is what I came up with... Let me know what you think.

[TetoPR]

To me it looks good. Maybe the dog fades a little toward his rear end. If you got the time probably messing around with the tonal values of the background before the efect will help, try a brush maybe if you don't want to isolate the dog and use adjustment layers.
I'm a newbie and acused of being artistically retarded, there is not much else I can come up with...
Good luck!

[Janet Petty]

I think your client will be impressed with your caring and your efforts.

Janet

[DannyRaphael]

For a first time at bat, you whacked a home run. Well done.

Originally Posted by TetoPR

...If you got the time probably messing around with the tonal values of the background...

I agree. See attachment for a suggested approach.

Here's how I did it:
* Drag guides to 50% H, 50% V
* Choose Elliptical selection tool
* While holding down ALT, drag a selection from where the guides intersect
* Select > Inverse selection
* Press Q to engage Quick Mask
* Apply Gaussian Blur to fade edges
* Press Q again
* Add a Levels adjustment layer
* Drag middle slider right to taste

...When you print, suggest you do so on a watercolor-type paper or canvas, not traditional photo paper. I'm sure she'll like the result.

[Swampy]

BabiesNBellies

>> Ok folks, I took a look at Swampy's video and then added a flare of my own and this is what I came up with... Let me know what you think.

Glad you got something out of the tutorial. :-) Ya done good!

Danny, the vignette really adds a nice touch since it softens all that light background, adds some subtile color and focuses on the dog.

[jannetie]

Originally Posted by BabiesNBellies

Ok folks, I took a look at Swampy's video and then added a flare of my own and this is what I came up with... Let me know what you think.

This is a fine first try (or any try!). I think your client will love the painting!