Everyday Elements Online also has a weekly link-up/contest where a photographer can show off their editing skills! This week, the challenge was to change a photo into a black & white. I mentioned in my last post that I’m still not 100% happy with my black and white processing. I’ve tried doing it by desaturating, using curves and I have many actions. Someday I might find a process that is truly me and unique. Until then, I use a different approach depending on the photo.
For this one, I first used The Pioneer Woman’s Bring Out The Eyes action on her eyes. There was some great catch-lights in the photo and I really wanted to bring them out. Next I cropped the photo a little. I don’t care to crop too much off a photo because I know if the photo is made into an 8x10 it will be cropped even more. Plus, I want the size to be large enough that I can blow it up as large as a client wants.
Then I added a lens flare in the top right. The backlight was already there, I just wanted to boost it a little more. And, then I burned the bottom and left edges. And warmed it up a bit. That’s where the color edit ends.
To make it black and white, I flattened the image and then ran Kelsey Anderson’s Signature Black & White action. But, it still needed tweaking. I took the tones level down to 0 and the contrast down to 18%. That left me pretty happy, so I saved it.
So, be honest – but not brutal, what do you like/not like about my edits? I welcome constructive criticism!
SOOC shot from Everyday Elements Online:
My color edit:
My B&W edit:
Lovely edits, both of them! Great job!
ReplyDeleteMy only cc for you is (and this is a personal preference, but I can say it since I'm the mom LOL), I'd love to see her under-eye circles reduced a bit.
Thanks Amanda! Good idea about the eye circles. Not something I even thought about. I notice it with older people and especially someone wrinkled, but never thought about it on a child! Will keep in mind to look for things of that sort.
ReplyDeleteI really do appreciate the CC. I would actually like more of it. It helps refine my craft! :)