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Ride The Horsey, Go To Town!

Susan M. Reynolds 2/7/2013 12:10:26 AM

KD-bug came home from Sunday School last Sunday and for the first time was able to climb up on the rocking horse we got her for Christmas all by herself...so proud of herself and rocking for all she was worth while giggling out loud. To me it tells the story of growing up and learning to do things on her own...and finding out how much fun learning new things can be...do you think it tells such a story or do I need one that explains itself?
I just wish I could take out the awful BG. I have On One Mask Pro, but can't figure out how to do it. There are a few others but they all have the same ugly BG with the safety gate we keep up all the time because of the fireplace and electronics on that side of the livingroom. Any easy fixes that technically challenged granmma can fix? #1513293

Susan M. Reynolds 2/7/2013 2:06:02 AM

Well, I experimented by using the lasso tool and then moving it to a completely different BG. I tried cloning the bottom of the rockers to complete the front that had been cut off in the original photo, then added a soft focus filter to cover the most glaring mistakes but erased it off of her face.
It took me two hours but it was worth the effort...going to make a 5x7 and surprise her mommy and daddy with it for Valentine's Day! I wish my hubby was awake so I could show him the difference in the two photos...I think I am very proud of myself! #10557188

Susan M. Reynolds 2/7/2013 2:06:56 AM

OOOOPS...so excited about it that I forgot to load the edited version. #10557190

Susan M. Reynolds 2/7/2013 2:07:18 AM

OOOOPS...so excited about it that I forgot to load the edited version. #10557192

Susan M. Reynolds 2/7/2013 2:07:35 AM

OOOOPS...so excited about it that I forgot to load the edited version. #10557193

Susan M. Reynolds 2/7/2013 2:11:55 AM

Here are a few other filters I tried. Which do you phellos like best that I should frame for her parents for Valentine's Day #10557194

Susan M. Reynolds 2/7/2013 2:16:39 AM

Just realized I shaped the front of the rockers the opposite of the back ones but I don't think most people will notice? #10557198

Kristin Duff 2/7/2013 5:36:15 AM

Good job on the edits...her folks are going to be thrilled! #10557413

Dale Hardin 2/7/2013 9:08:30 AM

What a delightful image Susan. And you did a good job of getting rid of the background, even if you did put too many hours into it.

With Photoshop Elements or Topaz ReMask, this could be done in less than ten minutes. I like your first background the best. One thing you might keep in mind when doing this, is to create a shadow and a horizon line so that it looks more realistic.

Super job. Love it. #10557734

Debbie E. Payne 2/7/2013 5:56:01 PM

I think your masking tools are great, Susan. It is a good shot without the masks but so much better with the plain/mottled backgrounds. She is so very photogenic. I'll bet you are just having a ball with her. #10558436

Jeff E Jensen 2/7/2013 8:32:11 PM

Looks great, Susan! She's a cutie! #10558634

Stephen Shoff 2/7/2013 10:32:07 PM

Nice work, Susan. I didn't notice anything out of place on the rockers. #10558709

Susan M. Reynolds 2/8/2013 12:16:16 AM

Thank you for your comments :)
@ Debbie, I didn't use a mask since I don't know how...just made a duplicate layer and worked on that then flattened. @ Stephen - the rockers are actually rolled down just like in the back on the real horse. @ Dale: I've attempted to add the shadow under the rocking horse as close to original shadow as I could as you recommended(only it turned out darker pink because of the BG change) and tried to make a horizon line. So does it look wierdish? Please be completely honest, is this better than the first edit so she doesn't look like she's floating on that horse or pasted on the BG. I want to print one for them & want the best rendition possible. Thanks! #10558749

Dale Hardin 2/8/2013 9:22:10 AM

Thats much better Susan, but I was thinking more along the lines of the one I'm posting here. The shadows would follow the shadow lines that already exist on the rocker and about the same intensity.

I didn't try to get exact, just wanted to show the concept. Since you had the girl separated, it would have been easier to put the shadow down and the replace the girl on top, but it appears you may have applied the shadow to the completed image, which is harder to do.

And on the horizon line, just a line doesn't work as well as changing the tone of the floor in relationship to the wall. Either lighter or darker, doesn't matter. Just whatever look you want. #10559193

Rita K. Connell 2/8/2013 10:43:22 AM

I really like your last post with the horizon line, now she doesn't look like she is floating. I like it as is, but if you can get the shadows in it, that will make it even better. I just love her expersation on her face...you can tell she is having so much fun. I love the big bow in her head. (I could show you a few from my grandaughters at that age....!) your daughter will be be so happy with this one. #10559256

Debbra Bailey 2/8/2013 1:21:20 PM

Wow - you have put a ton of work into this! My suggestion was going to be a horizon and shadows, so I think you are on your way! Great work getting rid of the background! Very cute shot too! A wonderful memory pic :) #10559573

Beth Spencer 2/8/2013 6:54:07 PM

You have done lots of work and your edits show it. I agree with the horizon and shadows. She is gorgeous ! I think her parents will be more than thrilled. Aren't they fun? #10559896

Michael Kelly 2/8/2013 7:55:42 PM

Great edit work and a wonderful save for this shot. The original framing and BG spoiled this wonderful shot but your hard work made it into a delightful candid that I am sure will be treasured. #10559934

Peter W. Marks 2/11/2013 8:41:31 AM

Hi Susan. I shall go out on a limb once more and say that I see things so differently than many of our friends on Phellos. A few months back I would often relate a story line which my imagination created from other folks images. But, with this image I don't need to do this as the story is right there in front of us and for the life of me I cannot understand why anyone would want to remove the very pieces of minutae that help to create place and atmosphere for KD's lovely laugh and obvious delight. You ask whether it tells a story and absolutely it does Susan. But, once you remove the original background you are left with a typical (and boring!) "Sears Photo Studio" image with its roll of pink background paper. The only story left is that she was dragged along to a commercial studio where too much was paid for a package of an 8x10 and a dozen wallet size snapshots. I joke but I hope you can follow my reasoning. Fortunately our digital images can be preserved in many forms but whilst I might not be still around to say 'told you so' I would bet that in 15 yrs time family and friends will be way more interested in the original image and the circumstances of KD being raised with your help as your kids share your home.
So,Susan, Uncles are allowed to say these things and you are stuck with me for life Kid.
Blessings, UP #10563517

Anthony L. Mancuso 2/12/2013 8:54:41 PM

Super cute image Susan and great job with the edits...I do prefer Dales version with the shadow and horizon line because without them I think the girl and horsie seem suspended in space..

Good point Uncle Pete....I think the original would be fitting for the family photo album whilst the edited version would look fabulous on the wall.. #10565850

Susan M. Reynolds 2/14/2013 6:47:42 PM

Thank you all so much for your input and help. Yes, the original will be kept for the family album, but the edited one was the surprise for her parents for Valentine's Day - and they just LOVED it - My daughter (and I) always complain about that awful looking safety-gate being in the BG of most of the photos of KD, but now that KD is bigger and can walk, no RUN really well we can do a lot more outdoor shots which are my favorite....I followed your advice, Dale, and readjusted my horizon and shadow under the horse, .but my stupid mistake was I made all of the edits on the re-sized 2mb copy...DANG IT! should have been done on the original sized my bad boo-boo, but when time permits I will be trying to learn to do it as Dale said in 10 minutes by using layers and masks....only my mask may wind up being a scary halloween type mask...hee-hee - but though it still doesn't look as good as your version, it's better than her floating around on the Sears Pink Paper in the studio looking shot! (yes, I do agree about that part of it Uncle Peter!, but I just didn't want the safety gate framed in an 8x10 on the wall! ;o).. #10568579

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Description

Aperture f/4.0, SS 1/90, Lens 18-50mm f/2.8, Focal Length: 34mm, ISO 400, Location: home, Time- 2:04 p.m. 2/3/13

Exif: F Number: 4, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/90 seconds, Flash: did not fire., ISO: 400, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 34.00 mm, Model: NIKON D200

Uploaded on 2/7/2013 12:05:25 AM

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Camera: Nikon D200 Digital SLR Camera

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