show us you PP skills

[makro]

I took a potrait shot of me and the missus over the weekend and am looking to have it printed maybe as big as A4. Now I am not the best at PP so I am looking to the community for help. The photo is below and I am happy to provide the RAW file (18MB) as well.

Thanks a ton! Larger jpg version here (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2548/3854840187_63f2f62ed2_b.jpg)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2548/3854840187_63f2f62ed2.jpg


Edit: added larger version

[ricktas]

What do you want to acheive? What is your vision about how you want this to look. Do you want a softer effect, the background smoothed out, or changed colour. Let us know a few of your thoughts on what you would like this to look like. Anyone can edit it, but we would want to edit it to match the way you see it in your imagination.

[I @ M]

The small file size that you posted is the biggest hurdle to overcome.

Here is a 5 minute play in Nikon Capture NX.

There would be a tonne of potential in this photo with the original raw file and someone experienced with photoshop.

[ricktas]

Here are another couple

Blurred the background in both. In the second I processed it using a photoshop action called Urban Acid

[makro]

Thanks Andrew and Rick for giving it a go. This thread stems from the fact that I would like to have a nice Portrait printed and framed to be hung on a wall.

Now what I was thinking was a kind of dreamy effect or maybe a sepia effect. I am kinda new to the various effect for people photography out there, and hence was hoping to see

1. How other photographers approach PPing
2. Have a better picture that what we got from Hotshots (glamour setup in a shopping center), which is pretty good I might add.

Thanks again

[ricktas]

How I approach PP for portraiture is purely based on what the client wants. So my results could change constantly based on that.

[Miaow]

I'm not that great on pping portraits - but these have had a slght sharpen, some contrast added and a small drop in brightness and a soft filter effect applied - sepia tinted one is a gold tint :)

[Nanny]

I had a quick go, Iknow it is rough
all I did was trace and past on a new background
it gives you an idea of what can be done

[OwenS]

Fine I'll do the mono ;)
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii312/oschebell/portrait_mod.jpg

[Bodak]

A little arty.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/Bodak/makrobw.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/Bodak/makroc.jpg

[Harves]

There you go, another version. That's a very nice portrait by the way, you make a handsome couple.

[Chookman]

I had a quick go

Chook

[makro]

Thanks folks for giving this a go. Some really nice PP work there and loads of great ideas.

Here is my effort, just cleaned out a few blemishes and a bit of sharpening.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2654/3858218231_5a5b71f512.jpg

It looks like I need to learn how to smooth out the backround, work on the glow effect and vignette feathering.

[Chookman]

Quick List of what I did.
You'll be able to see where I didn't spend a lot of time blending

Removed skin blemishes
Removed make up line above right eye
Removed wrinkles under eyes
Removed hair strand going to mouth
Removed stray hairs around head
Smoothed skin a little
Removed curtain pattern
Removed dark fold lines in curtain above wifes head
Colour burnt around neck
Added gradient
Played around a little with the layers
Played with curves

Think thats about it.

Chook

[makro]

Hey Chook,

How do you remove the stray hair going through the mouth, I was kicking myself thinking I couldnt fix that in PS.

[Calxoddity]

okay, here's mine - I don't think this combo has been done yet?

[Chookman]

Hey Chook,

How do you remove the stray hair going through the mouth, I was kicking myself thinking I couldnt fix that in PS.

Combination of Clone tool and healing brush.
Oh yeah... also used the patch tool too.

Chook.

[NikonNellie]

Here's my version. I used an action called Street Beat and added a vignette.