A Smiling Bride-to-be

© Richard P. Lussier

A Smiling Bride-to-be

Uploaded: May 11, 2007

Description

The setting sun caught her hair just right, as she seemed to be rehearsing her joyful smile the evening before the wedding.

I captured this during the outdoor rehearsal for this young lady's wedding that I shot a few weeks ago.
In Photoshop, I used a Gaussian Blur filter layer to soften, partially erased thru to sharpen several key features.

Exif: F Number: 5.6, Exposure Bias Value: +1, Exposure Time: 10/400, Flash: flash did not fire, ISO: 100, White Balance: auto white balance, Focal Length: 150mm, Camera Model: NIKON D200

Comments

Cassie L. Woodlee May 13, 2007

This is really beautiful Richard!! Love the softness and sunlight on her hair!! #654645

Richard P. Lussier May 13, 2007

Thanks Cass, it was one of those great candid moments when she wasn't posing! :) #4279809

Carla Metzler May 13, 2007

Beautiful, Richard!! #4279815

Richard P. Lussier May 16, 2007

Thanks Carla! #4290675

Lynn Margason May 18, 2007

SO, I see you've been captivating brides-to-be, too! This is lovely; I'll contemplate what you mean by "partially erased thru to sharpen..." Not sure how to do that but sometime when I get a chance I'll try to figure it out. Nice effect for sure; the hair is so becoming! This technique would be especially appreciated by an older bride (eliminating wrinkles and such). Glad to have seen this today.
Best blessings, Lynn #4297637

Richard P. Lussier May 18, 2007

Hi Lynn, thanks for the wonderful comment!
To answer your question: I duplicated the original layer, applied about 30% Gaussian Blur filter to the top layer, then used the eraser brush set to about 40% strength and erased just her eyes, lips and jewelry from the top layer to partially see thru to the second layer which is sharper (without the Blur). This gives the overall soft effect, but does not blur her key features too much. Hope taht helps! :) #4298514

Shelly A. Van Camp level-classic January 19, 2008

Very Beautiful image! #5365096

Richard P. Lussier January 20, 2008

Thank you Shelly! #5365991

Bill Knaps May 01, 2008

A beautiful portrait Richard. Nice softness. Bill #5870569

Richard P. Lussier May 08, 2008

Thank you very much Bill! #5900392

Max Aureli March 04, 2009

Beautiful!!! Gorgeous woman and love the effects!! Great work Richard!!! #7244296

Richard P. Lussier March 06, 2009

You are very kind, Max, thank you. The best part of you commenting on my picture is that it led me to look at YOUR excellent art work on your gallery, thanks! #7250460

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