Fix-It Friday #86

OK, I decided to stray from my usual and try some blending modes along with different crops. I'll try to list the steps taken a bit later, but I'm sort of pressed for time now, so here we go.  We'll start with the SOOC shot:

photographer: Rachel Durik from Savor Photography

And my edits.

#1 Normal edits with skin smoothing, eye enhancements, reducing dark circles, etc.

#2.  Created with the help of Deelo's Pencil Sketch action on Adobe Exchange, and Pioneer Woman's action set #1, Vintage setting.  I'll try to add links later. ADDED!

 

#3  Same sketch as above placed on layer over photo and blended with luminosity setting.

#4 Same technique as in #3 only with Darkened blend mode.

I usually try to spend more time working on/refining after I figure out what I'm going to do.  Unfortunately, I used up all my time playing/experimenting with blend modes.  Please feel free to leave any constructive criticism. I want to improve and learn!

FiF #85

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this pic.  I love the baby's expression, the two little teeth, the overall happy feeling of the photo.  It makes me smile. 

The red was challenging for me, but I think I was able to handle it this time without leaving the pic feeling a bit on the cold side.  Skin tones/color is/has been an issue for me.

What do you think?  Hit or miss?  Too light?  Not enough contrast?  Constructive criticism/suggestions always welcome.





OK, let's start with the SOOC shot:

© 2011 Julie Rivera Photography

and here's my fix:


Started with a small crop, then levels adjustment, then Gaussian blur to smooth face
a tiny bit.  Selective sharpening using High Pass filter and layer mask.  Adjusted
skin tones a bit more with Photo Filter + layer mask and  Hue Saturation and layer
mask.  Merged results, then made copy of merged result and blended using screen
mode.  Added layer mask to screen mode layer, filled with black, then painted over
layer mask with white in the eye area to lighten eyes.  Also dodged/burned eyes
using a 50 percent gray fill layer set to Soft Light Blending mode.   I color sampled
the eyes and used a lighter brown shade to paint over the red color beside the
catch-lights.  To do this, I painted on a separate layer, used the color
blend mode, and adjusted the opacity.  

Next, I merged the layers, copied the merged result, and pasted it in a New File.
I used JHP-Free PhotoShop Action on the Everyday Boost Vintage
setting.  Then, I merged layers, copied the result, went back to my first edit, and
pasted it on the top layer.  I lowered the opacity until I thought it looked good,
added another levels adjustment to increase the dark levels, and that's where I
stopped...

Except for one more crop:

FiF #84

It's that time again.

  First the SOOC shot.



And here's my fix:

I applied a levels adjustment and cropped the photo,  smoothed the skin a bit and attempted to remove/reduce the red areas from the face, sharpened and lightened/brightened the eyes and under-eye circles. I added another layer and filled with color #f4c774 then blended with soft light, added a mask to this layer and used a gray brush to reduce the effect where I thought it was "too much."
This may be objectionable, but I used the liquify tool on the mouth to turn up the corners and on the eyes just to open them a bit more.  Last, I merged all layers into one, duplicated it and applied the Multiply blending mode, then reduced the opacity and added a mask to adjust areas where I thought the effect was still too strong.

FiF #83

 I've realized that I have a problem when the photo is not a closeup of a person.  I have no clear idea of what to do or where to go with the photo.  I obviously need more practice with this, but I get the feeling that this will never get any easier for me.  That said, here's this weeks challenge and my effort.





First the SOOC shot:

by Angie Arthur Photography

and now my attempt:

I cropped the image and applied levels adjustment to boost the colors.  Then I used the Pixel Bender (plug-in for PS) on the Oil Painting setting.  I also applied an orange-ish texture and a grunge overlay frame.  I'm sorry that I can't give credits for the texture/frame.  I got these a long, long time ago when I first started learning and neglected to label them.  :(  Anyhow, I think the subject of the photo got a bit lost in all the color.  If you click on the picture, it will take you to a slightly larger version.  Constructive criticism is welcome.  Thanks for looking. 

Yay! Fix-It Friday is BACK!

After a holiday hiatus, Fix-it-Friday is BACK!  I'm so happy about it that I did TWO edits this time.  For those who are not familiar with it, Fix-It-Friday is a weekly event where participants edit that same photo in their own way!  If you'd like to participate, click the icon on the right for more info!

Edit #1

I didn't do a lot to this pic.  A levels adjustment, fixed
under-eye circles, crop,texture overlay (from Shadowhouse Creations).
  I added a mask to texture layer and masked the texture
on her face.  Then I selected a color from the texture layer and
applied it as a solid color overlay using a mask so
the color appeared on the skin areas only. 
I think I lost some of the freckle detail though.  :(

Edit #2

 This is a continuation of Edit #1.  I used Topaz Adjust

and applied the results as a new layer using

Soft Light blending mode and reduced opacity.

And for reference, here's the original shot straight out of camera (SOOC):

In over my head and out of my league

BUT, I love practicing anyway.  I missed the Everyday Elements challenge over the Thanksgiving holiday, but Amanda's post on Facebook led me to fix-it Friday. Fix-It Friday is a weekly event where everyone edits the same photo in their own way and links their edit back to the blog page. If you'd like to participate, just click the icon below for more details.

This photo is from I Heart Faces blog in the Fix-it-Friday Category.  My edits are in the photo on the right.
Anyone may participate in this challenge with any photo editing program; just click on the link!

Edits include a levels adjustment, crop, neutralized the blue overcast, sharpened the eyes, darkened her eyebrows a bit, lightened under eye circles, removed purple fringing around the coat, and brightened the catch lights in her eyes.