My first ever colorization

[jeaniesa]

I don't think I ever addressed Rick's comments/questions:

Originally posted by Rick
One thing I did notice, was that there seemed to be a slight darkening around the lips, though.

I think this has to do with my selection/feathering process. I'm not quite sure how to get around this, but for an example of what happened, try this:

1. Create a new (empty) image in your favorite photo SW.
2. Choose the eliptical (or square, or any one that you want) selection tool and "select" a large area.
3. Choose a bright foreground color (I chose something close to magenta) and fill the selection.
4. Invert the selection.
5. Choose another bright foreground color (I chose green) and fill that selection.
6. At least in my sample, I get a dark ring near the outside of the magenta.

Perhaps this is a case of feathering too much, or not completely understanding how feathering and inverse selections work (probably both). So, something more to learn.

Did you use any plugins at all?

Nope.

Jeanie

[Rick]

I'm totally impressed. I might snatch this picture and see if I can do something along those same lines, if you don't mind.

Looking more closely at the original, the Darkening seems to be in there too. It could simply be that she put on the lipstick a bit heavier there and (for the lack of a better word) sucked in the light and made it appear darker then the surrounding areas.


Definitely good work, I can only imagine what you'd do with a little bit of polishing, if you need it at all.


Rick

<tosses a couple of pennies>

[jeaniesa]

Originally posted by Rick
I'm totally impressed. I might snatch this picture and see if I can do something along those same lines, if you don't mind.

Yes, you (or anyone) may use the photo for practicing if you'd like. If you do work on it, I'd love to see what you come up with. However, I do request is that it doesn't end up in a portfolio or on a website somewhere (other than this one and my future one.)

Thanks, Jeanie

[paulette conlan]

Absolutely beautiful work. The description of your procedure is a way I haven't come across but it sure works well. The colortones you used are perfect. What a wonderful gift that will be.

[Doug Nelson]

Jeeminy. That is just wonderful. Your work, yes, but especially your description.

The huge file sizes are an unfortunate byproduct of this technique, but the amount of control is unbeatable (and you can always burn it to cd and delete it when you're done).

[Vikki]

Fabulous work!!! You've done a wonderful job. The woman's hair color is excellent.
The only flaw I saw (and I may be wrong) but, it looks like you colored her ear the same color as her hair.
Her's a tip that I use: After working on something for a long time, it helps me to flip it horizontaly, just to get a different view. Many times it helps to reveal overlooked areas.

[T Paul]

Vikki

Great idea on flipping a photo to get a different perspective! I’ve heard of a similar technique in editing. Once you have read something over and over again, you don’t usually catch the mistakes, but if you read it backwards you do.

[jeaniesa]

Vikki, I have looked and looked at that section of the photo and still can't figure out if it's her ear or not. If I look at the original, I don't think so. But, when I look at my colorization, I do think so. I suppose since it doesn't bother me (the way some other changes that people have pointed out), perhaps it's OK to just leave it as is. But, I tried a version which makes it look like her ear anyway. I still don't know which I like best.

And while I was making those changes, I decided to try changing the color scheme a bit. I got some feedback from one of my friends that burgundy was a popular color back then (her grandmother's wedding dress had a burgundy bustle), so I tried changing the photo to use a burgundy (and subsequently warmer) color scheme. I had a hard time choosing a background color and finally used the eyedropper to pick a color off of her face - that way I was guaranteed the color would at least blend with the rest of the photo. If nothing else, I think it looks more "vintage." If anyone cares to take a look (you must all be sick of this photo by now), I've attached the file here.

Jeanie

[T Paul]

I like the blue scheme better, but that's a personal choice. I think it brings out their eyes and works better with their skin tones.

-T

[jeaniesa]

Well T Paul, that must mean I got the skin tones correct! They definitely looked best in blue in "real life" - as do I. Thanks for the feedback. -Jeanie

[edgeley]

I have been following this thread with interest and I must say that the burgundy certainly adds warmth to the photo whereas the blue, in my mind, does not really convey the intimacy of the moment.

The insight into the development of this piece of work has been interesting.

One word - INSPIRATIONAL!

Regards
Edgeley

[Vikki]

Now that I've see the ear colored, I think it's an ear (well, I like it anyway).
I prefer the blue color scheme too. I don't know why, but the colors of the people seemed more natural

[jeaniesa]

Originally posted by Vikki
I don't know why, but the colors of the people seemed more natural

Just goes to show you how surrounding colors can affect perceived skin tones. I didn't touch the actual colors of the people - just her shirt and the background. -Jeanie

[Doug Nelson]

I just have to pop in here and comment that this has to be one of my favorite threads ever. Threads like this were what I had in mind when I first started thinking about a site for restoration and retouching.

It has everything I could have hoped for. A user inspired by other users, helpful and involved critiques, detailed and informative descriptions, and dramatic before/after examples. And, once it was all done, the experimentation began!

I'm just so proud of you all.

[Sharon]

I've been following this thread with interest too. So I just had to download your photo and give it a try.

Thanks for the step-by-step instructions.

I prefer the blue to the burgundy. Of course, blue is my favorite color.

Sharon