November 11, 2008

Photoshop Technique

I'm pretty much a Photoshop ignoramus. I'm grateful for kind people like Amy Rose, who generously share their knowledge with newbies like me, taking time to explain the intricacies of PS in much detail. I really like the results I've been getting from following her "formula". Here's a photo I edited using her technique. The first photo is my SOOC (straight out of the camera) image. I should tell you that it looks "flatter" than it otherwise would, due to my in-camera settings. I deliberately have my camera set at no/low contrast, as it is possible to ADD contrast, but not possible to SUBTRACT contrast. So I choose to err on the side of too little contrast. But that does mean that I'm loathe to show my "naked", unedited images. So anyway, the first image is SOOC. The second image is my "Amy-Rose" edited image.

eyes ps1

eyes ps2

Here's another Before & After example:

eyes ps3

eyes ps4


You'll have to excuse my poor Little Dude's CLEAR exasperation with the whole being photographed thing. I had bribed him with candy corns to stand in a bunch of beautiful local settings that I was scoping out for possible portrait locations. The settings look AMAZING. But my son? He was not so thrilled as I was. But he surely enjoyed those candies at the end of our excursion.

ps. I'm pretty sure this technique works with PS Elements also.

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8 comments:

Tracy P. said...

I love it! Your boy is so cute. I like the exasperated pictures as much as the hammy ones--just another view of them being them.

More fun tricks to try--wuh hoo!

Beth@Pages of Our Life said...

Thanks for sharing the link! I love those little dots in your background.

Heidi said...

I'm not above bribery either. :) Come to think of it, I even reward *myself* with M&Ms, LOL.

I'm digging the sparkly eyes.

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

I have bookmarked that page. I think that I am going to have to print those up and see if I can mimic it. I just want the photoshop by osmosis program :-)

I have a friend here that is a pro photographer...and she just got lightroom - and has been raving about it to me. Saying how easy it is to use.

You have both I am guessing. Do you have a preference? Or does one do something that the other doesn't?

I Love Purple More Than You said...

Wow... the photoshop difference is impressive. Your son has gorgeous eyes!!!

Tara Bennett said...

Thanks for the tips - love the pix!

Rhea said...

I like this technique a lot. And your little one is so cute. His eyes really sparkle in these.

Melissa Stover said...

that's great. i need some of those tips. i'm really having trouble with my indoor shots with my 50 mm lens looking too red or yellow. it's driving me nuts not knowing how to correct it in photoshop.