Feel free to comment n criticism....

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Leis on December 16, 2011 at 6:09am

Hi Raja, 

While I like the photo for the most part, I played around with it a little.  I'm not a pro with photoshop either, and I'm sure there are tons of other ways to do what I've done... however...Your original image was a little on the dark side, which can be a great  effect sometimes, but, you generally want the model to 'pop'.  So, for that I touched up the levels and curves in PS. You'll probably find most images will need a little tweek of either one of those tools.  (basically just open the image, click on curves or levels and do basic adjustments until it looks right to you.)  I also removed a bit of the colour cast that was coming through ,her skin was taking on a bit of the tone of the background.  

I also removed a couple little blemishes your model had on her face, they were almost non-existent, but still noticeable when enlarged.  Its kind of a sticky area when it comes to removing birthmarks etc...if it is something large I will ask the model if she wants it left in or not.  It can be very personal to some people.  In the case of the girl in your picture, I removed the birthmark above her right eyebrow, I also took out what looked like some scaring on her left arm.  I have shot a model like that once...(http://www.picturesocial.com/photo/crossedmm-1?context=user) Ironically on a similar background, and her left arm was badly burned and the scaring goes from her shoulder down to her wrist.  I hesitated about removing it, but talked with her about it and she said "sure, no problem, I don't even think about it."  But, you never know...

Oh...I also, as you've probably noticed, removed the (bar?) that ran behind her head, I just found it a little annoying, almost like her head had been skewered with a metal rod.  And I attempted to remove the bright white patch on the right side of the photo from your backlight.  In my opinion it was a little too distracting.  General rule of thumb, most people's eyes will automatically look at the brightest part of the photo...in this case that bright white splash of light.  I just cloned it out, and I know there are better ways to do it...and if you find them....let me know! 

I also adjusted the sharpening on the model herself, in version A.  In version B. to make it a little closer to your original shot, I added back a bit of blur, some glow, but brought the eyes back out to sharp again.

So, in summary...levels, curves, color cast, remove blemishes and bright spots, sharpening.  I'm sure a couple of other little tweeks, but that was it in a nutshell!  Hope this helps a little.  Thanks for asking for comments and criticism, it helps me better my shots too.  When I can look at other peoples photos and see certain things, it makes me go back and look at mine again, and pay more attention to what I'm doing in the future as well, so thanks for the opportunity!

Oh...two books I seem to mention to many people... they are both written by a photoshop master (Scott Kelby) and have tons of information...

http://www.amazon.com/Light-Shoot-Retouch-Studio-Finished/dp/032178...

and

http://www.amazon.com/Professional-Retouching-Techniques-Photograph...

I own them both and they make some pretty valuable reference material!  Now I just need to find more time to shoot and process!

Good luck, keep up the good work, and Happy Shooting!

Dan 

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Permalink Reply by Raja Afzaludin B. Raja Abdullah on December 16, 2011 at 5:30pm

COOL bro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks....... at least i learn something from u...... many2 thanks for your advise...i will follow with the next picture...

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Permalink Reply by Raja Afzaludin B. Raja Abdullah on December 18, 2011 at 11:37pm

re-edit by me.....any comment sir????

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Permalink Reply by Christopher Fischbeck on December 19, 2011 at 7:52am

I like this better than the original, but her skin tones aren't quite as warm as I think they could be. Maybe that's you goal? I'm just thinking it might separate her from the cold blue background a bit more :)

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Leis on December 19, 2011 at 2:13pm

Hey Raja, nice job, what can I say...you've just had this one made a feature photo!  So it must be great!  Congrats.  While its a great improvement from the original, a couple of things I would keep in mind for this and future photos... colour cast...see the variation of the colour on her hair, her dress and skin, it just slightly starts to take on the background colour.  You'll see that a lot, especially with flash photos as the colour of the surroundings will reflect onto the subject.  

Secondly, while you did a great job of getting rid of the bar, you can still see the shadow of where the bar was! I know its minor, but those are the details that separate good photos from 'great' photos.  Those are also the details that get you married to you computer with several cans of Coca-Cola and chocolate covered almonds until the wee hours of the morning.  

Great job on cloning out the large bright spot!  That take some patience.  I'd consider too what Christopher mentioned below me here... her skin tone is pretty cool, she blends in with the background a little too much maybe?  I'd warm her up a little like I did in the other two, just to make her stand out a wee bit more, and generally, unless you are going for a certain mood, most people who look at portraits like to see a warmer tone overall, it gives a pyschologically pleasing effect.  warm colours = happy, comfortable, cooler colours = colder, uncomfortable feelings.  

So, again, depends on the mood you are trying to set.  

Overall though...in my opinion, great edit, nice shot, stunningly attractive model, wonderful shot!  

Hope to see many more of your shots end up in the 'featured' category!

Dan 

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