Thread: 1 Beach Family Photo CC & advice!

Hi! So, I was down in Florida last week and my sister asked me last minute to do a sunrise beach photo for their christmas card (they just moved from IL --> FL). I said sure without really researching how to get it "right" before getting out there. So...this is what I came up with. I know the pin lights are like nails on a chalk board to people (including me), but all I had was my speedlight to use to brighten up the scene since it was pretty dark at sunrise. I struggled ALOT with trying to get the photo exposed correctly, took 80+ photos and this is the one they picked... one that I shot in auto. boo. So, now I am trying to make the best with what I got here. So...a few questions...

1. Any suggestions on what I can do to further PP it? PTE, but if you do, please let me know what you did so I can attempt to recreate. I have photoshop elements.

2. Also, what would you have done differently for a shot like this so I can learn for next time? (a reflector? difusser for flash? no flash?)

3. What should I have metered off of when working in manual? I just could not get it right and after blowing a bunch, I just switched to auto to make sure I had a few salvagable ones.

4. Any cc in general?

Sorry for the book. Thanks in advance if you have made it this far!



And a link to the large SOOC file incase anyone wants to see that instead...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2677/...c68fa7f9_b.jpg

I would work on the areas separately (sky one layer and people on another) and then mask back what you want.
Besides that no sunset suggestions sorry I've yet to try

Well I think its a lovely shot. gotta love sunsets.
Tiny bit centered and you cut her toes off but thats all I have.

I had a play.




I fixed the tone, played with exposure a little, added some contrast, upped the blacks and took some yellow and magenta out

Wish I could be more help, but I like the brightness of the subjects in your edit with Cazz's color in the sky. I wonder if you could merge the two files and erase back in what you wanted... hmmmm.

Thanks ladies!

Originally Posted by mandie81

Wish I could be more help, but I like the brightness of the subjects in your edit with Cazz's color in the sky. I wonder if you could merge the two files and erase back in what you wanted... hmmmm.

I totally agree. Need to figure out how to do that though with layers!!

Originally Posted by IronMate

Thanks ladies!



I totally agree. Need to figure out how to do that though with layers!!

what editing software are you using? I have cs4 and its super easy. You edit each pic the way you want it (so one pic you work solely on background, then the other you work on subjects). Then you hold the shift key and drag the one pic onto the other pic, check to make sure they are still aligned. Then mask back in what you want. I think I generally keep the background layer ontop and mask in the people behind

I think it's a great shot. Don't shoot yourself down! I don't have any advice though...sorry.

did my own edit but didn't like it.

So took your own edit and Cazz's edit and did layer mask to bring back in the ppl from yours

Originally Posted by LJB07

what editing software are you using? I have cs4 and its super easy. You edit each pic the way you want it (so one pic you work solely on background, then the other you work on subjects). Then you hold the shift key and drag the one pic onto the other pic, check to make sure they are still aligned. Then mask back in what you want. I think I generally keep the background layer ontop and mask in the people behind

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your combo of mine and cazz's edits! Thank you! I use photoshop elements 5. I am getting the munchkin down to bed and then will try with the original without the watermark to replicate cazz's and merge the two! Wish me luck!

Okay, I think I got one I am happy with here. I followed a tutorial I found online for layer masks within elements 5. I attempted to replicate cazz's beautiful sky and then used a second layer to brighten up my subjects. Does it look okay? Thanks for EVERYONES help! You guys are the best!