Reading mode: Light Dark

Please help with a Christmas Card picture

Go to last post
A

aeast

Well-known member
Messages
160
Reaction score
0
Location
US
Hello all,

I took a shot that is to be used as a Christmas Card however am having a heck of a time doing much with it. I will post my edit below but don't like it. If any of you would like to help me (edit: save me) out with some of your creativity I would certainly appreciate it. Or if you think that it is hopeless it is OK to say that to...I may just have to reshoot it...although getting the kids to cooperate again may be a chore within it self.

Thanks to any of you in advance for any guidance or help you can provide.

The original can be taken from here (h t tp: aeast236.zenfolio.com/img/v6/p117828224.jpg) I put spaces in the http part so that it wouldn't post the image here.

Here is the picture:



Here is my poor attempt to retouch:



--
My gallery: http://aeast236.zenfolio.com
 
The link to the original above pictures should take you to the original. I just put spaces in the http part so that it wouldn't post the full size pic here. Does the link not work when pasting and copying the link and taking out the spaces?

Thanks,
Aaron
--
My gallery: http://aeast236.zenfolio.com
 
Ray

 
aeast,

here is my humble try......

...have to tell you, you have a great looking family and are a really lucky guy....

......BUT......

.......... your shirt causes lots of problems from retouch perspective :-)

Merry Christmas to you and your family ......when it comes............


aeast said:
Hello all,
I took a shot that is to be used as a Christmas Card however am
having a heck of a time doing much with it. I will post my edit
below but don't like it. If any of you would like to help me (edit:
save me) out with some of your creativity I would certainly
appreciate it. Or if you think that it is hopeless it is OK to say
that to...I may just have to reshoot it...although getting the kids
to cooperate again may be a chore within it self.

Thanks to any of you in advance for any guidance or help you can
provide.

The original can be taken from here (h t
tp: aeast236.zenfolio.com/img/v6/p117828224.jpg) I put spaces in
the http part so that it wouldn't post the image here.

Here is the picture:



Here is my poor attempt to retouch:
Click to expand...
Grey haired & Scottish
..and proud of both!
http://andelimages.com
 
Nice pic. Gave it a quick smudge but probably cropped it too much.

Grant

 
Very nice picture of your family, but awfully dark and somber colors for Christmas.
 
I usually don't like frames, but the photo is dark and I thought it might work to offset the darkness.

 
Maybe I'm missing the entire 'smudge' business, but this looks to me like "We the Christmas Plastic Zombies Threaten You This Christmas'.

I just don't get it.
 
Thanks everyone for your retouches. There is so much talent here and I love browsing through this forum.

I know the picture is dark which is why I think I was having such a bear trying for a not so gloomy image. You all have done a great job bringing out the colors in the foreground so well that I don't mind the dark background near as much.

I like the smudge look because it's not supposed to look like a photograph as much as it is painting. I took the Smudge Class online and recommend that everyone take it for a different tool to use or just for some great fun.

You retoucher's on this forum are a great bunch.
Thanks again,
Aaron
--
My gallery: http://aeast236.zenfolio.com
 
Perhaps this can get you started on the full size image. Create a levels adjustment layer and set black, white and midpoint to where you can see detail in kids clothes and elswhere. Hit ctrI to make the mask a hide all mask. Then with a white foreground and a soft edge brush set to some low opacity 50 to 100%, paint in the brightness from the levels adjustment layer to the kids clothes, and anywhere else you would like to lighten picture. You can also adjust the opacity of the adjustment layer for further adjustments. Just one of several ways to bring back detail to kids clothes which was my first impression viewing image.
http://www.pbase.com/davidjaseck/image/106814463
--
http://www.pbase.com/davidjaseck



New Career: Living Happily Ever After!
 
This looks great. I especially like the way you added color to the boy's sweater. Made it much more Christmas-y.
freelancer54 said:
I usually don't like frames, but the photo is dark and I thought it
might work to offset the darkness.

Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

HarwoodF
What a difference a decade makes at Retouching Forum
2 3
Replies
40
Views
641
lylejk
lylejk
Robin Bennett
Help With Shadows
2
Replies
20
Views
21
Pictus
Pictus
Handiworks
Hummingbird AF - A7RV - 50-400 Help
2
Replies
28
Views
1K
dcstep
D
arrr
Craving Film Simulations?
Replies
6
Views
412
VadiV
V
Winterfrost
D90 - Simply can't format any SD memory card !
Replies
4
Views
710
Winterfrost
Winterfrost

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top