Very first edited image from newborn shoot - check post 10

**coolmama72** · 10-30-2009, 10:58 AM

First, I want to say that I really wish I hadn't had Andrew's well child visit yesterday afternoon. I had to cut the photo session short (well, not really short, we did spend 3 hours on it) to take him. I think if I had given it one more hour, I could have gotten the sleeping nakey shots.

Anyhow, this is the only one I've edited so far. I'm still not comfortable with RGB skin numbers (I know, Loida, I need to read that tutorial again, but I can't seem to get the numbers in percentages in the info window). Mom's arms seem overly bright, but IRL her skin is really pale (but her face isn't due to her makeup). I wanted to keep the PP clean, I really only brightened baby's eyes a little after I fixed the overall colors. Oh, and he's wearing a diaper I sewed just for the photo shoot. His mom thought it was really neat.

Exposure: 0.02 sec (1/50)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 28 mm
ISO Speed: 400

And here's the "as shot" version with no ACR tweaks at all (the one above is adjusted in ACR and then I did an additional levels adjustment in PSE)

I know there are some recent threads that I feel I should reply on ... I always feel guilty posting a CC thread when I'm not caught up. But I have a sinus headache and am feeling really overwhelmed. I'm actually not touching the other pictures until I feel better. I will come back later to reply to other stuff. That being said, I'd sure love CC on everything here.

**acarbo99** · 10-30-2009, 11:17 AM

I'm on my way to a Halloween party at Logan's school, so this will have to be quick. I think you're off to a GREAT start here, Gwen!!!

The color difference between mom's face and arms is unfortunate. I am thinking a b&w or chocolate (light) conversion would be really nice here - give it that timeless feel.

You might up your blacks a bit too. They look a little blacker in the socc than the edited pic.

Go rest Gwen. Hope you feel better soon.

...GiGi

**sadieruth** · 10-30-2009, 11:32 AM

I agree with GiGi about your blacks. I don't know how to fix it though!

You are doing great! I am sure mom will be more than pleased. I am stalking your flickr account b/c I want to see more!

**becoming-mom** · 10-30-2009, 11:37 AM

I love this shot Gwen! I think your SOOC is better actually.. all that you might need to do is lighten up mom's face a bit. In your edited version she looks too cool - her arms almost look blue.

**kshiell** · 10-30-2009, 11:48 AM

Is this the family you did the maternity shoot for?

I think it's a great picture but I think I like the SOOC better, the colour of her arms is too blue in the edit. Also he hair looks brown in the original and then in the edit it looks almost black and is blending a bit into the background. Maybe just lighten her face a little in the original and I think it would be beautiful!

Hope your feeling better soon, can't wait to see more from this session!

**Jeffininer** · 10-31-2009, 12:22 PM

Such a sweet shot. I am kinda bothered by the difference in color on her arms vs. her face. I'm sorry I don't know how to fix it

Melvin76 · 10-31-2009, 03:02 PM

Gwen, try to get your shutter speed up to 1/125. I know you had your ap wide open, but you still need a faster shutter, I see a bit of motion/camera blur.

I think this is a great, sweet shot.

Your coloring sooc is better. I just enhanced the blacks and neutrals in selective color, did a linear curves layer, burned the blanket on her lap and burned her arms slightly to try to darken them a bit (burn at midtones 6% - hard to see the difference at first, but do it a little then view and unview the layer).

**EL2** · 10-31-2009, 07:16 PM

Ditto what Stacey said. I think the SOOC looks nice, colorwise, your edit has a tint of blue.

**coolmama72** · 10-31-2009, 08:35 PM

Thanks Stacey! I don't have CS4 (yet ... give me a couple of weeks and it will be in my hands!) so I don't have the ability to do everything you've done, at least not the same way. But I will try with what I have. I really appreciate you doing it and explaining it.

I wonder why my eye tends to favor cooler pictures. It always does, I should just try for warmer and train my eye ...

**coolmama72** · 10-31-2009, 09:35 PM

okay, I took the other shot I had with mom in it and tried something different ... I think she looks like she might need more red ... ugh. I did a screen layer, lowered the opacity and just masked in her face/chest and baby's back arm with the lighter layer. Otherwise, it's SOOC ... actually, I did a slight layers level change where I changed the contrast some. I'm not feeling well, I probably shouldn't even be messing with this but am eager to get through these.

Forgot to sharpen for web ...