<<< o >>>Harmony's new hat 30 comments + add yours
chromasia.com

This one was taken a few minutes before my last post and is a shot of Harmony (one of Rhowan's younger sisters) sporting her new hat. Unlike the shot of Rhowan though I decided to leave this one in colour, and almost posted the straight shot (linked below):

.../archives/harmonys_new_hat.php

As you can see, it's a fairly pleasant shot. In this instance though, more for practice than any pressing aesthetic reason, I decided to switch to processing in LAB Color mode rather than RGB. If you're not familiar with LAB Color mode I'd definitely suggest you give it a try, not least because it gives you an amazing amount of control, especially in terms of modifying colour. If you're interested, the techniques I used for this image are covered in the first and second parts of my LAB Color mode tutorials linked below:

http://www.chromasia.com/tutorials/online/lcm1_info.php
http://www.chromasia.com/tutorials/online/lcm2_info.php

As always, let me know what you think.

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12.33pm on 9/5/09
Canon 1Ds Mark II
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
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3x2 + children [portraits]
comment by Roy at 08:56 AM (GMT) on 11 May, 2009

A curious side-effect of this rather effective processing is that it makes her look older than in the original...not sure exactly why, but it's probably something to do with the eyes?

comment by Garry at 09:04 AM (GMT) on 11 May, 2009

Beautifully done, lovely crisp clear details on the hat as well as keeping the eyes pin sharp.
I agree with Roy that the colours used / process involved does tend to make the subject look a little older, probably due to the extra detail revelead.
Glad to see you're back on your feet too :)

comment by Mirko Herzner at 09:07 AM (GMT) on 11 May, 2009

Maybe not as impressive as your recent coverage from the near east... Still a technically perfect portrait with perfect focus. I like those soft colors.

comment by peter at 09:35 AM (GMT) on 11 May, 2009

Lovely portrait. The processing has given it a nice twist too.

comment by Jaol at 11:03 AM (GMT) on 11 May, 2009

Your portrays cast something special, impossible to describe with words...(sorry about my poor English)

comment by Robbie Veldwijk at 12:03 PM (GMT) on 11 May, 2009

Wonderful photo, very nice toning you have used in this one. The eyes taking the attraction and that is good!

comment by Carlos Garcia at 12:58 PM (GMT) on 11 May, 2009

Hmmm... hard to decide which one I like... the original has a "softness" to it while the one that you blogged is "sharper". In either case, Harmony's countenance does sing a beautiful song! Precious smile...

Carlos

comment by jesse at 03:04 PM (GMT) on 11 May, 2009

man your kids are really growing up. its fun to watch the process unfold.

comment by nick at 03:21 PM (GMT) on 11 May, 2009

Perhaps because of the subdued colours she looks more like a grown-up, but in any case she has a lovely smile. Excellent shot.

Also, she is probably very used to being in front of the camera ;)

comment by Dan Kaufman at 03:27 PM (GMT) on 11 May, 2009

I will definitely be looking into (revisiting) the LAB color tutorial. This is beautifully done. And I agree with Garry, the LAB color processing does seem to add an aura of sophistication (maturity) to her face.

comment by Adam Stevens at 06:17 PM (GMT) on 11 May, 2009

Love the color, although the comp on the prev B&W was more to my liking (personal pref). I think the color processing hides some of the "childlike" skin tones, and seemed to add some more adult texture to her skin. Thus the apparent aging.... But I'm no expert.

Glad your feeling better.

comment by HEMAL at 08:14 PM (GMT) on 11 May, 2009

LOVE THE PIC DAVID, I THINK SHE LOOKS SO MUCH LIKE LIBBY

comment by Kerstin at 08:17 PM (GMT) on 11 May, 2009

Really lovely portrait with a nice post processing!!

comment by Sue Ables at 10:29 PM (GMT) on 11 May, 2009

Harmony is so beautiful! She does look older. She is growing up before our eyes here! You are a lucky man David. Such a beautiful fam! Make sure to thank Rhowan and Harmony for allowing so many gorgeous shots shared with all of us. I look forward to each and every one of them!

comment by jelb at 11:57 PM (GMT) on 11 May, 2009

Bonjour,
Wonderful portrait..great post-processing..Bravo!

comment by Kevin H. Stecyk at 02:49 AM (GMT) on 12 May, 2009

Positively gorgeous David! I love her mischievous grin and twinkling eyes.

comment by Brooks at 07:23 AM (GMT) on 12 May, 2009

Great job. I much prefer the processed version, That LAB color is a beast that I've yet to tame, but this image makes me want to give it another go ;)

comment by djn1 at 07:41 AM (GMT) on 12 May, 2009

Roy (and everyone else): I hadn't thought about her looking older in this version, but I take your point.

HEMAL: yes, she does look a lot like her mum.

Sue: yes, they're growing up fast.

Brooks: you should, it's worth the effort.

comment by Kristian at 07:49 AM (GMT) on 12 May, 2009

Wonderful colors David - LAB can really do wonders sometimes

comment by emillamola at 02:09 PM (GMT) on 12 May, 2009

EX-TRA-OR-DI-NA-RI-O RETRATO!!!

comment by Thatch at 05:22 PM (GMT) on 12 May, 2009

Another great image. Nice work with LAB mode. :)

comment by Jennifer at 07:40 PM (GMT) on 12 May, 2009

Lovely image - I too spotted the likeness to Libby.

comment by romine at 09:53 AM (GMT) on 13 May, 2009

utterly beautiful colors. and her expression quite unique. thank you also for sharing the tutorials. they are very useful at least to me.

comment by DedicatedRR at 03:02 PM (GMT) on 13 May, 2009

So grown-up! The hat is very cute :)

comment by djn1 at 04:22 PM (GMT) on 13 May, 2009

Thanks everyone :)

comment by Laurens Kuipers at 10:28 PM (GMT) on 13 May, 2009

Very nice shot!

comment by kate at 03:19 AM (GMT) on 14 May, 2009

jaunty.:)

comment by Matthias at 04:44 PM (GMT) on 5 June, 2009

very beautiful young girl!! She has a very cute smile and the hat is pretty cool ;-)

comment by will pattison at 01:59 AM (GMT) on 10 June, 2009

djn1, the original was great, but this is even greater! you have a real gift with color and as always your subtle manipulations produce something truly sublime.

wp.

comment by myla at 07:16 AM (GMT) on 18 January, 2010

I feel so lost. I cannot believe how much the kids have grown -- and have lost count. This is Harmony? Wow. Absolutely stunning.