Editing portrait practice

[wilgk]

Well it has been a while now that I have been hiding away with my video friends at Kelby training....so maybe I should be getting good or at least better at it....hmmm

Sadly I keep finding other lessons that interest me and I keep jumping around....rather than staying at the portrait retouching spot....

anyway here are a couple that I have been playing around with.
It is an enjoyable work in progress though.

[Antonio Correia]

...

If I don't like the first portrait I do like the second one very much
He is a very nice young man and corresponds to my idea of an Australian: blond, blue eyes and white complexion.
In the second shot I would only make the background a bit darker and his eyes lighter but not overdoing it, to keep them natural.
I would also enhance the - what's the English for the little red/orange spots on the skin ? I know but I don't remember now -
Perhaps there is also a light orange cast, or is it my monitor ?

Nice work Kay Nice work and Health to him and your family.

[richard amora]

Hi antonio! I think they call it Freckles. not sure though

[wilgk]

Thankyou Antonio
His Mum told me he doesn't ever have a big smile in photos - so rather than try to force that and make him smile - I tried to follow the the advice from a video Colin pointed me to - and work with what the child is giving you.
Hi wry smile is him.
The eyes here were my first attempts at brightening them and sharpening using layers and masks.
I will keep practicing

[Katy Noelle]

I do like the second one, too, Kay. What a funny, cute little smile and personality is coming through. He looks very natural. I like the "dimple" that he has on his left cheek - yes, a 'wry' look. Antonio has given you such great advice, already. I'll just second that the eyes do look a little bit like glass.

I admire you and your Kelby training videos but it's great to have you posting some photos, again.

[wilgk]

Thankyou Katy - I think I find a new edit tool and tend to go 'too far' when I first use it..so i will keep working at the 'less is more' option & yes we had great fun.
I had him and his sister rolling down grassy slopes, running toward me, climbing in trees - and I just snapped away - then when I asked them to wait a sec' for the 'real shots' they needed a rest and were happy to oblige


I will have a 'test edit' on another later & see what you think

[Katy Noelle]

Thankyou Katy - I think I find a new edit tool and tend to go 'too far' when I first use it..so i will keep working at the 'less is more' option & yes we had great fun.

heh, heh. I've never, ever done that, personally. Don't know what you're talking about.



Is he....is he.....winking??? How cute is that?! (What a lovely garden! sigh!)

[speedneeder]

The expression is very good on the second photo. You can't fake that!