5th place Green & Red by Susan Craig by Canon DSLR Challenge

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15-FEB-2007	Susan Craig

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Nugar		20-Feb-2007 16:30
Hi Susan, I like very much you new version. Regarding CS, you might want to wait for CS3, that is already in beta testing. I quite liked the new Camera Raw.

Canon DSLR Challenge		20-Feb-2007 05:55
Okay Nugar & Victor, I reworked the shot and I am very pleased. Thanks for all the help. Let me know what you think. Susan

Canon DSLR Challenge		20-Feb-2007 04:09
I think the version presented could be improved by an increase in density. If you look at the histogram, you will see that the data stops short of black. The leaves shadows that are not as rich as they could be. By adjusting the blackpoint, or, as I did, apply a curves adjustment, you can increase the density which simultaneously increases saturation of any colors present. I also sharpened the image a bit by adding a highpass filtered layer (my current favorite sharpening method). The result is similar to Nugar's but without the color shifts you get with Velvia actions. I also believe this lady's beautiful face is not worsened by sharpening -- in fact, improved by it. Some people like to suppress wrinkles by not sharpening skin. In this case, the model has a wonderful texture to her skin that is improved by sharpening with the rest of the picture. That's a matter of preference, I suppose, and I'm probably an outlier in this regard, but I can't help mentioning it this time. http://www.pbase.com/victorengel/image/74609096/original -- Victor

Guest		20-Feb-2007 02:13
Nugar, Yes, I agree the image is a bit more striking in your version, however, I do feel the eyes look a little too glossy making the photo look a little unrealistic. It may be just a personal hang up I have. I always try to error on the side of less is more. I would love to here how others compare the two versions. I will try to do some more work on it myself using your suggestions. I do not have CS only 7.0 and unsharp mask seems much more unreal that even your version. Any suggestions on that note. Maybe I should invest in CS?? Anyway, I really do appreciate the time and effort you have put into showing me your version and giving me your thoughts. They are always welcome and can only help me grow. Thank you!!

Canon DSLR Challenge		20-Feb-2007 01:25
I like what you did, Nugar...but it's also a beautiful image to begin with. --Mary Anne

Nugar		19-Feb-2007 12:39
Ok, I uploaded the image here:http://nugar.com/gallery2/gallery2embedded.php?g2_itemId=6021 As you will see the eyes, the hair lock and the cloth are sharpened, but not the skin or the background. Another option would have been to just sharpen the eyes. The colors were saturated too (10% in Velvia Vision) Hope you like it!

Guest		19-Feb-2007 06:26
Humberto, Bring it on! As I said I am here to learn. Just a note....I am not a big fan of oversharpened images. Susan

jnconradie		19-Feb-2007 05:58
Excellent work! Compliments and regards ~jnconradie

Canon DSLR Challenge		19-Feb-2007 02:11
Sharbat Gula image, signed by Steve McCurry, is displayed on my dining room wall. This way, whenever, we have guest for dinner, the discussion is diverted from how terrible our food is to the incredible and unfortunate story of this woman. I agree that the resemblance is striking. Sam Attal

Nugar		18-Feb-2007 21:03
Hi Susan, I think this is a stunning image than can be made "stunnier" with selective sharpening. Out of curiosity, I downloaded it and did this: 1- Saturated a bit the colors 2- Duplicated the layer 3- Sharpened the top layer using CSPro Sharpener from Fred Miranda (easier for me than unsharp masking ;o) ) 4- Deleted, from the top layer, all the skin. As a result, the red area, the hair lock, and the eyes seem to be in sharp focus, yet the few wrinkles are not highlighted. If you wish, I can upload my version for you to see. I hope you don't get mad at me for downloading it! Cheers, Humberto (Nugar)

Guest		18-Feb-2007 05:44
Victor, No intention to remind you or anyone else of the National Geographic image. I was actually participating in a challenge on "Red" and took several shots of my friend Kate with the "red scarf" so that it fit into the challenge. I got a favorable response on the image so decided to post it here. I love this forum because I think that most of the contributors are extremely talented and I can actually get constructive comments which help me learn. I do kinda feel that it is an unfair advantage to have Kate as my model. She has such amazing eyes!

Canon DSLR Challenge		18-Feb-2007 04:14
That is an interesting coincidence....Hummmm....no wonder I lose to Vikas all the time...lol Giggle, smile, Traveller

Canon DSLR Challenge		18-Feb-2007 03:13
Interesting. If you do a google search for Sharbat Gula, the woman in the National Geographic picture, three images are displayed. The second image has /vikas/ in the URL. Vikas, care you comment? -- Victor

Canon DSLR Challenge		18-Feb-2007 03:09
Reminds me of that famous National Geographic picture of the Afghan girl. Was that intentional? -- Victor

Canon DSLR Challenge		17-Feb-2007 19:32
I'm not sure about a tighter crop...this is fine for me just the way it is. The question I asked myself was....Do I like this because the person is attractive? Would it work equally well with an 80 year old woman? I think yes...so Kudos. Best Wishes, Traveller

Guest		17-Feb-2007 18:29
Captivating! SP? Could be cropped even more at the top, so as to get the eyes closer to the horizontal thirds line...

Canon DSLR Challenge		17-Feb-2007 18:29
Beautiful eyes, and the color is marvelous. --Mary Anne