Here's another portrait of Rhowan; the last of the shots I'll be posting from our recent holiday on the Black Sea coast. As with my previous image, the main change that was made to this one was in terms of altering the tone (as described in my Toning Colour Images tutorial). I also used quite a few of the techniques covered in my Portraits: part one tutorial, particularly in terms of lightening and bringing out the detail in her eyes.
As always, let me know your thoughts, particularly in terms of whether you think the toning is effective.
captured camera lens focal length aperture shutter speed shooting mode exposure bias metering mode ISO flash image quality RAW converter cropped?
amazing work with the eyes, not sure about the color cast. the last 5 pictures or so are all stunning.
comment byDavid Kelly at 06:48 PM (GMT) on 8 July, 2010
David, a gorgeous image with some nice PP ehancements. The (gaussian?) blur treatment on the hair, helps to easily draw the viewer to the Rhowan's face - particularly given how distracting those stray hairs are, on the right in the original. And of course once you're looking at the face you're drawn to those amazing eyes. I admit the colour toning I didn't like so much at first, but I after going back & forward from the original many times I really prefer it now.
comment by Martin at 08:35 PM (GMT) on 8 July, 2010
You know, while I love the work done to this one on the whole, I wonder that the eyes are almost *too* glassy and bright. They are riding the ragged edge of unnatural. I can't decide if they cross the line or not though. It doesn't strike me as a standalone, but compared to the original image... hmmm.
very nice toning. Really love the before and after
comment by Simon at 10:06 PM (GMT) on 8 July, 2010
Amazing work with the eye - they really grab my attention and keep my interest - fantastic post processing - I now need to practice more !
comment byEugene at 05:06 AM (GMT) on 9 July, 2010
Beautiful!
It'd be great to see this one as your next mini-PSD :)
comment byLightningPaul at 08:09 AM (GMT) on 9 July, 2010
Looks great! Really eye-catching.
comment by Chris P at 08:34 AM (GMT) on 9 July, 2010
I dream of the day when I can produce photos of my little ones that are as good as yours David. Excellent work on the selective sharpening and blurring, but I think you've maybe gone a little too heavy on the 'cold' toning. Just my personal preference!
Long ago I subscribed to your tutorials. Images like this shows me that I need to go spend some time with them. As already stated, excellent eyes!
comment by Fabio at 08:21 PM (GMT) on 9 July, 2010
Nice but IMHO eyes are too bright, they look a bit unnatural.
comment by Gary at 02:05 AM (GMT) on 10 July, 2010
Great site! I am trying to decide between a cannon/Nikon models camera and see you examples on your site. Also, is there a particular editing software I should use? http://www.wix.com/shepherdaway/OMV-Photo
comment byNicki at 07:37 AM (GMT) on 10 July, 2010
Dave: After browsing your archive last night I saw, that you never choose aperture 2.8 with that lens. Why? Would be interesting to hear your reasons. Is that prime lens really to soft at 2.8?
Here's another portrait of Rhowan; the last of the shots I'll be posting from our recent holiday on the Black Sea coast. As with my previous image, the main change that was made to this one was in terms of altering the tone (as described in my Toning Colour Images tutorial). I also used quite a few of the techniques covered in my Portraits: part one tutorial, particularly in terms of lightening and bringing out the detail in her eyes.
As always, let me know your thoughts, particularly in terms of whether you think the toning is effective.
camera
lens
focal length
aperture
shutter speed
shooting mode
exposure bias
metering mode
ISO
flash
image quality
RAW converter
cropped?
Canon 5D Mark II
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
160mm
f/4.0
1/800
aperture priority
+1/3
evaluative
400
no
RAW
ACR
no
Really nice expression, enhanced by the DOF treatment. This is probably the best of your recent run of portraits IMO.
Wow - the change to the expression in the eyes is amazing. Great work!
It's a really nice process, I like it!
fantastic david!!
Outstanding! A canditae for a mini-psd :)
Fantastic portrait!
I'm with Nicki on this one :) Love the toning.
I would have been happy with the original... the colors are so pleasing. What makes the processed version fantastic is the eyes. Great portait.
Just brilliant
phenomenal eyes !!!
What a gorgeous portrait - and such stunning eyes!!!
Beautiful!
amazing work with the eyes, not sure about the color cast. the last 5 pictures or so are all stunning.
David, a gorgeous image with some nice PP ehancements. The (gaussian?) blur treatment on the hair, helps to easily draw the viewer to the Rhowan's face - particularly given how distracting those stray hairs are, on the right in the original. And of course once you're looking at the face you're drawn to those amazing eyes. I admit the colour toning I didn't like so much at first, but I after going back & forward from the original many times I really prefer it now.
You know, while I love the work done to this one on the whole, I wonder that the eyes are almost *too* glassy and bright. They are riding the ragged edge of unnatural. I can't decide if they cross the line or not though. It doesn't strike me as a standalone, but compared to the original image... hmmm.
very nice toning. Really love the before and after
Amazing work with the eye - they really grab my attention and keep my interest - fantastic post processing - I now need to practice more !
Beautiful!
It'd be great to see this one as your next mini-PSD :)
Looks great! Really eye-catching.
I dream of the day when I can produce photos of my little ones that are as good as yours David. Excellent work on the selective sharpening and blurring, but I think you've maybe gone a little too heavy on the 'cold' toning. Just my personal preference!
Long ago I subscribed to your tutorials. Images like this shows me that I need to go spend some time with them. As already stated, excellent eyes!
Nice but IMHO eyes are too bright, they look a bit unnatural.
Great site! I am trying to decide between a cannon/Nikon models camera and see you examples on your site. Also, is there a particular editing software I should use? http://www.wix.com/shepherdaway/OMV-Photo
Dave: After browsing your archive last night I saw, that you never choose aperture 2.8 with that lens. Why? Would be interesting to hear your reasons. Is that prime lens really to soft at 2.8?
Eyes are perfect! Nice photo, so magical :)
Simply perfect on every level :)
Wow, what a shot and tone. Love it, the toning is perfect. The eyes is spot on. Would love to see this one as Mini-PSD. Dave great shot
Great portrait!
The post processing works really well!
Super awesome shot. Love the combination of great pose + DOF + post proc. She looks wise beyond her years. Powerful!
Lovely portrait!
excellent work David