First Time Compositing

[emma]

Hi Everybody, I am a newbee to all this...I am a make-up artist who got caught out with no camera and had to use a disposable camera. The photo I took was terrible and really wanted to make the most of the shots I took and thus have to retouch the image...something that I don't ever do because it defeats the whole purpose of my job

Anyway I think I have managed to make the image half decent with some adjustments, the one on the left is the original and the pic on the right is my effort. Now I want to move on to make it an ok image to a great image. Was thinking of superimposing the image onto a new background to make it more interesting.

I thought I would put it out there to get some ideas...I have tried a few things but unfortunately they all look terrible and also really fake so I resorted to a plain black background.

Would love to hear your thoughts on it...oh and any critiques...dont be nice, I need to make it as good as possible so can take any negative feedback

All the best

Emma

[emma]

Had trouble uploading the first time sorry.

[amica999]

Emma, welcome to RetouchPro, Nice to have you aboard. Unfortunately your images have the size of a poststamp...hard to say anything...

[0lBaldy]

emma, Welcome to RetouchPRO Hope you enjoy your stay here and make lots of friends.

The following information may be of some use..

Please attach a larger image which is under 100K version (so the thread remains useful in the future, regardless of external links).
For further Info on how to size and attach images to your posts
Click HERE for Info on how to size and attach images to your posts

If you want to post the larger resolution that is over 100K then you can host your image elsewhere and attach a link,: ImageVenue.com (3Meg max, free) or pixentral.com (2Meg max, free) or photobucket.com (1 Meg max free,... 5 Meg PRO)-- then post a link here in this thread to the site that is hosting your larger

[emma]

Ok I read the instructions and I have made the images larger

Hopefully this is suitable if not...then I will host on another website like you said.

Thanks again for all advice and input

[0lBaldy]

Just some thoughts to try N help make it pop a bit more:

your original image
copied (Ctrl+J) change mode to multiply
(Ctrl+J)
(Ctrl+J)
Stamped all to a new layer (Shft+Ctrl+Alt+N+E)
made copy of background layer by dragging it down to "Create a new Layer" at the bottom of the layer pallet (next to the trash can)drug the new background layer to the top of the stack
applied a hide all mask (held Alt key while clicking the Mask icon (Square with a circle in it)
painted hair with white .. corrected mistakes with black
new Layer (Shft+Ctrl+N)
Zoomed in on lips... painted lipstick BLACK
changed Mode to Softlight... reduced opacity to 60%
Stamped all to a new layer (Shft+Ctrl+Alt+N+E)
Lightened and added highlights to eyes and lightened stud (dodge N Burn tools)
Ctrl+J (copied layer)
Filter>Other>High Pass @ 3
Changed mode to Overlay with Opacity @ 72%
Stamped all to a new layer (Shft+Ctrl+Alt+N+E)
Ctrl+J (copied layer)
Imagenomic Noiseware @ default setting
Applied mask (clicked mask Icon at bottom of layer pallet)
Painted hair, eyes, lips, stud, shawl... Black

[emma]

Thanks a million for your help it looks great.

What I was actually hoping to get from the post was advice on compositing the image onto a different background...

When I put it on a different background it looked terrible thats why I made it black...I would prefer to make it white or maybe even put something different behind her, but when I tried different things it looked terrible and quite fake and superimposed. I have seen some lovely compositing before, that looked believable even though it was superimposed on a very fantatical background. I don't know if I am making myself very clear but I hope you know what I mean

So basically looking for some advice on compositing and making it look real and a couple of ideas on that... thanks again

Emma