Suggestions?

[Gina_D]

Candice,
That looks great! In the end did you go with one approach in particular or did you combine techniques?

Gina

[klassylady25]

And thank you. I tried the lab mode... didn't like the results. I thought about cloning out things and did in some areas. Sometimes there is no 'quick' fix as I have found. But with time and practice the results do come a bit quicker. I worked with varied levels as one suggestion said, but didn't like the fix on that so I returned to square one.

If you've not tried Ro's tutorial on "quick degrunge", it's a great tool. It helped remove the discoloration. I used a blur tool, small brush, but did not use the brush on the Ratan. This blured the red just a bit more but on the Ratan I wanted to keep the clarity.

Next, a screen layer was used to help even out colors, but you'll have to dink around with the % used because as we both know what each person sees is subjective as an artist. The last tool I used was filter called optikVerve. You can find it on the net. I absolutley love it! It can give a picture an enhanced look. Sometimes I use it to view the picture's "oops" factor. There is something within it that picks up little details missed otherwise... btw, so does the "save to web" screen. I always veiw it before posting. What a wonderful thing it is to aid in varied looks.

Good thing about these things is that control "Z" can undo all those things.

I've worked on this off and on since yesterday. Today I was content to post.

Your work is very good. People say "practice makes perfect" not so... "perfect practice makes perfect". Simply put... don't give up. You'll read many things and as you do and work, you'll find your own technique. Slowly, that is what I am doing and you will too.

God Bless and have a great day

[Gina_D]

Originally Posted by klassylady25

The last tool I used was filter called optikVerve. You can find it on the net. I absolutley love it! It can give a picture an enhanced look. Sometimes I use it to view the picture's "oops" factor. There is something within it that picks up little details missed otherwise... btw, so does the "save to web" screen. I always veiw it before posting. What a wonderful thing it is to aid in varied looks.

Your work is very good. People say "practice makes perfect" not so... "perfect practice makes perfect". Simply put... don't give up. You'll read many things and as you do and work, you'll find your own technique. Slowly, that is what I am doing and you will too.

Hello again Candice!
Thanks for the description of your trial and error process and what you finally found to work... I think you got good results for your efforts. I did look for the filter you mentioned. It appears that it's called VirtualPhotographer by OptikVerve Labs. Unfortunately, I can't take advantage of this one as it's PC only and I'm on a Mac.
Thanks for the encouragement and feedback on my work and I love that you used that quote ("perfect practice makes perfect"), I repeat that one often myself as I've found it to be true. You have a great attitude!

Take care,
Gina