Would like Opinions on this Picture

AliG

Hello All,
I've taken this photo of my wife and daughter, I have two versions, so far the original, and the modified version, would anyone mind taking a look and giving opinions, of what I can do to improve it? I'm thinking to either blur out the background. I'm intending to print this photo to hang.

Any opinions, thoughts critique would be greatly appreciated.

http://picasaweb.google.com/ali.gomaa/Photos

Thanks
Ali

Auieos · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 12:11 am Post subject:

I like the subtle changes you made to it.

Maybe you could brighten up the colours a bit, like the clothes, earrings, lips and nose etc.
Crop the photo removing some of the left hand wall space so wife and baby are in center.

That's all i could think of, u know what ur doing anyway!

AliG · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 6:52 am Post subject:

Thank you, for the suggestions I'm by far any expert, still learning, I'll see how I can brighten the items you suggested, I'm by far a novice in Photoshop, the part I'm really struggling with is what to do with the background.

Ali

thehermit · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 9:44 am Post subject:

It's a nice subtle job and you should be pleased with what you have done so far. I would leave the perspective of the photo the same as it conforms to the rule of thirds. I might be tempted to even out skin tone on your wife and selectively sharpen the foreground. I would also dodge and burn the hair the easiest way I know if you are new or just want to do a quick job is add a 50% grey layer and set the blend mode to soft light and paint on the layer with a brush (black and white only) set to 5-9% opacity and paint over the dark tones and the highlights. I have included a brief and clumsy version just to demonstrate the effect, I have done no other adjustments to your original untouched image.

and breathe.....

Auieos · Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 1:20 am Post subject:

Nice one Hermit.
Yeah AliG were all still learning, and even when u know the tricks u still have to master using them! Eek

The background doesn't really bother me as is, I'm no photo expert tho. You can do what u said and try make it more blurry or desaturate it to black n white so the people stand out.

Its gonna be hard to select the background cleanly. Lol, just thought i would state the obvious.

AliG · Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 6:32 am Post subject:

I like that idea Hermit, thanks for the idea, I'll try it out and see how it comes out.
And as for the background, I figured it would be pretty difficult to do, I was trying to see if there was any PhotoShop Plugin thats out there that could help with the background. But you guys have really been great, thanks for all these tips. Any recommendations on plugins or sites that teach photography and photoshop?

Thanks
AliG

darklite · Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 8:18 am Post subject:

Yes, Hermit, great touches and idea. I just did a simple retouch removing the shoulder sleeves from the face. The photo is just too good, I couldn't resist!

thehermit · Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 8:38 am Post subject:

GJ on the adjustment darklite, it's a nice way of bringing the face bang into focus.

darklite · Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 9:16 am Post subject:

Thanks Hermit, but you offered deeper insight on how to really get in there and work the picture. Great suggestions on your part. I'll file them away for myself!

AliG · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 10:22 pm Post subject:

Darklight, thank you for enjoying my picture. I like how you did it, but the face looks like it's been altered

Sorry if I've been out of touch, life and work has taken over. I'm still working on this picture, I'm trying to see how I can blur the background, so they can stand out more. I really appreciate the tips everyone is giving me.

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