Was requested by HatterInsanity to do some step-by-step tutorials. I just did this one quickly today, so please let me know if I could do this better, or if its helpful. Cheers, Steph 1. 2.The base image 3.I always try to work with layers, makes it easy to adjust the effects, or go back to the previous version. 4. I would adjust the curves to a)brighten b)add contrast to the photo From this... to this... sorry I went a bit overboard and blew out the highlights on her face a bit. I was using another monitor which isn't color adjusted so its weird.
5.adjust the shadow/highlights 6. I think the right eye could use some brightening as its away from the light, and darker. I'm going to use the dodge tool. 7. I think I want to give the photo a bit more 'oomph', and will do a soft light effect. First duplicate the layer You can adjust the opacity slider to play around to find the right feel. its marked with a star. 100% is opaque, and the soft light effect will be very dramatic, 0% means you won't see any of the effect. Find something in between that you like. 8. Resize for web! I like 400x600 or 600x900, but it depends on the ratio aspect of your camera. If its a P&S, 400x533 is okay too 10. And my final step is the USM (unsharp mask) just to give it a teeny bit more definition. finally
I liked the base image and would have thought it wouldn't need any improvement but the edited version is very nice as well.
Ahhh Steph! Finally you're making torturials! I've been dying to see one by you. Thank you so much! Can't wait to see more turtorials by you (...??).
And here I thought I was the only one who liked the zoomed in original better ^^; I think it's a very nice photo without need of any shopping.
Thanks everyone perhaps I didn't choose the right base photo to demonstrate the steps on, since it's fine straight off camera, but I think the techniques should be applicable on other photos as well. Cheers Steph
Huh, this is a neat little tutorial. I'll have to try it out on some pictures once to see if I like the look, and can actually do it. lol.