I think I'm improving

[shannonbuchanan]

Shannon, have a look here:
http://www.lumitouch.com/benstudiotutorial/rules.html

Bookmark it and refer to it often, good stuff to know and will get you improving even more.

Bookmarked and emailed to my home office I only read about 1/2 of it as I have 'day-job' work to do!!

Thanks again! I absolutely love how helpful everyone in this community is!!!

[wolfden]

augh, that darn Job thing, seems to be no cure for it :P

[shannonbuchanan]

augh, that darn Job thing, seems to be no cure for it :P

True enough, but I work in the Graphic Arts Dept, so often times it's play/work--and I must say I would never have gotten as far as I have without my boss introducing me to photoshop/photography.

I have truly only been using manual settings on a camera just under 2 yrs but I ABSOLUTELY LOVE having a camera in my hands

Now if we could add 6-8 hours to each day. . .I have so much to learn, that would def. help!

[shannonbuchanan]

You definitely need to move him away from the background.

You have varied colour problems and I think a problem with your white balance. . .

Cazz

Wondering if these are an improvement? (Not on the background, obviously, it's still in the same place--but the white bal)

[Cazz]

# 1 is a little better but a bit yellow. I played around but because the image is poor quality(with this I mean right click copy kind of poor quality not thats its poor quality photography) I had to mess around with cloning to work on the bubbles but it was more the colour I was trying to fix. Obviously I fixed his skin tone which wasnt too bad, just a little yellow. I fixed the background colour which popped him out more, and sharpened it too.

Its just a quick play





For the second one, did you use photoshop, specifically did you use auto tone? this will be your problem. It has turned him entirely too green/cyan

I warmed up the photo, adding in yellow and magenta until he looked better(again the poor quality thing is hindering here) but you'll see what I mean. I brightened the background up to a dirty white, probably a little too much as I blew it out a little




Anyway these are on my flickr account set to private. I hope you understand what I am trying to explain.

[michaelscott03]

The font in #3 needs to be changed. Its a little too eerie and messy for a cute mom/baby portrait

[Mulewings~]

Kids and babies!

You can hardly go wrong with them. I must say they are difficult subjects at best as you have to take it 'in the moment'.

For a person who only snaps at my grand kids ... I think these are fun and well done. Of course listen to the others and keep it up!

[shannonbuchanan]

# 1 is a little better but a bit yellow. I played around but because the image is poor quality(with this I mean right click copy kind of poor quality not thats its poor quality photography) I had to mess around with cloning to work on the bubbles but it was more the colour I was trying to fix. Obviously I fixed his skin tone which wasnt too bad, just a little yellow. I fixed the background colour which popped him out more, and sharpened it too.

Its just a quick play





For the second one, did you use photoshop, specifically did you use auto tone? this will be your problem. It has turned him entirely too green/cyan

I warmed up the photo, adding in yellow and magenta until he looked better(again the poor quality thing is hindering here) but you'll see what I mean. I brightened the background up to a dirty white, probably a little too much as I blew it out a little




Anyway these are on my flickr account set to private. I hope you understand what I am trying to explain.

Cazz--thanks for the tips, I will constantly be working on improving my 'portrait' shots!!

I have been away from the site for a while and expect that it will be hit or miss on finding me for the next few wks! Thank you, thank you, everyone for your comments/suggestions/help! It's very much appreciated

As for the auto tone, it's a no, however, I have some add-ons that I've been playing with and that may be the culprit! Might also be a result of trying to do a curves layer adjustment with not entirely all the knowledge I should have ??!!

[shannonbuchanan]

The font in #3 needs to be changed. Its a little too eerie and messy for a cute mom/baby portrait

yeah, I went with the same font as the one w/Landon on it (with the hat)--in looking back, I'm sure there are better choices! Maybe I'll try Arial or Comic Sans? hahahahaha! I'm just kidding!

[JTSteve]

What a doll. Love the tub shot, my favorite.