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sweetness of "6"

© Rita K. Connell

sweetness of "6"

Uploaded: June 21, 2010

Description

Exif: F Number: 5, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/320 seconds, Flash: did not fire., ISO: 560, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 75.00 mm, Model: NIKON D300

Comments

Dale Hardin June 21, 2010

Rita, this is simply precious. What a lovely child and the pose and composition are excellent. I like it a lot.

Can it be touched up a bit? Yes, a few minor things might help overall. First straighten the tilt using the vertical frame she is leaning on as a guide. Minor distraction to be sure, but why not eliminate it?

Then duplicate the image and apply the shadows/highlights to the top image. Shadows at zero and darken highlights at 25.

Use a gradient to apply this change to the lower part of the image. Start your cursor at the bottom of her sleeve in the center of the arm and go up to the bottom center of her chin. This will get rid of the excessive highlights.

Then as a bonus, you might selectively apply some high pass filtering to just her hair, ribbon, eyes, mouth and nostrils.

It's a wonderful shot even without these changes but should look a bit better with them. #1281053

Aimee C. Eisaman June 22, 2010

I love the pose and all the different colors in this image! Always like to see Dales suggestions, but I personally like the bright glow to this and the contrast against the dark background. I do agree some selective high pass filtering will be really good for this image. Do you have the eye bright action from coffeshop? It's a free action that you can use on the eyes via masks and the paintbrush. :~) #8710709

Dale Hardin June 22, 2010

Aimee, the changes would not affect the contrast with the background and the changes are so slight that the brightness would be maintained.

I understand and agree with your assessment that maintaining the sunlit look is essential for an image like this. #8710964

Michael Kelly level-classic June 22, 2010

I like it Rita. The wood frame and the black BG to remove distractions is great and the color is wonderful.

It stands fine as is but I do think Dale's suggestions will make it even better. #8710965

Susan M. Reynolds level-addict June 22, 2010

I'll agree with the master on this one...though it is lovely as is, it could be made beautiful. Love the pose and intense look in her eyes. Not often you get that with a six year old. #8711453

Kathleen Nealon June 22, 2010

Rita, this is a lovely image. It is well composed and you caught a very interesting look - sweet and yet mysterious in a young girl's way.
I agree with Dale on straightening the vertical. I will wait to see the changes before deciding which approach works better for me. #8711797

Rita K. Connell level-classic June 22, 2010

thank you so much everyone. I took this the same day I took valerie kissing her baby. its amazing what grandma's can get from them when you say you will take her out to lunch where ever she wanted. I have added another shot I did very little edit on it but I thought it was cute also
here is dale suggestion, #8712070

Dale Hardin June 22, 2010

that second pose is a cutie also Rita. What a charming little model she is.

I notice that you did the straightening but it looks as if you didn't apply the darken shadow gradient or the high pass. Or is the difference because you were working from the original and not from the posted shot? If so, that could explain why I don't see much change. #8712098

Anthony L. Mancuso June 23, 2010

Cute one Rita...I agree with Dale that the highlights could still be toned down. You could also lighten her eyes by zooming in and using the highlights/shadows tool to decrease the shadows in only the colored part of her eyes..probably less than the default of 25%, although for blue eyes the effect isn't as profound as on dark eyes and 25% might work out...you could also try that action Aimee is talking about which is awesome for eyes and teeth.. #8712500

Jeff E Jensen June 23, 2010

Both are good images Rita. Of course, WLTSDS! #8713077

Teresa H. Hunt June 24, 2010

Rita I think this image is wonderful. Her pose, expression and background all work together wonderfully. I think her eyes need to be brighter, but other than that . . . I like it!! #8714837

Ellen H. Robertson level-classic June 24, 2010

How absolutly adorable! Love the composition and your colors. Want to see Dales suggestions. #8715527

Rita K. Connell level-classic June 24, 2010

thanks everyone. dale sent me tutorial and I will work on it and repost. #8715664

Aimee C. Eisaman July 01, 2010

Congrats on the EP...a great personality with all the color and pattern! :~) #8728475

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