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A few model images that I keen to get some opinions on..

The first image I think would work really well as BW, however I find my conversion leaves it lacking, I am looking for that contrasty BW look but without the blown highlights... the colour version I also find appealing, but I did have my heart set on a BW for this one. Thoughts, suggestions?

The third was taken using John's ring flash adapter, which worked quite well, I have never taken photos of someone this close before I am quite happy with this shot, the lighting seems good and the facial expression provocative, what can I do to make it better?

The fourth image is another BW conversion, I really wanted to smooth out the wrinkles under the eyes, but it always just turned out a mess - any hints on a decent way to smooth these out in capture NX2? That healing brush is crap...

I have a few suggestions. [Nice pics by the way] I find the ring flash too harsh in this case. Having never used one, I would personally use it for shadowless fill rather than as a on-camera non macro main light. But then, I am most likely wrong.






Actually the left ear maybe blown!

Gerry,

biggerry wrote:The fourth image is another BW conversion, I really wanted to smooth out the wrinkles under the eyes, but it always just turned out a mess - any hints on a decent way to smooth these out in capture NX2? That healing brush is crap...

Something I have read about doing portraits with NX2 is that you want to remove the overall sharpening on the image, so turn down the overall sharpening to nothing. Then you go and selectively apply sharpening to the areas you need, like the eyes, lips, etc.

Look at the Dtowntv video and Vincent Versace has some tips on selective sharpening.
http://kelbytv.com/dtowntv/2009/06/04/episode-15/

Not sure if that will do what you want or not but worth a try.

Nice photos as well

cheers,

André

Look at the Dtowntv video and Vincent Versace has some tips on selective sharpening.

Thanks André, believe it or not I just learnt the other day when editing these pictures about guassian blur and applying it just to the background or using it to smooth our complexions, very handy tool. That video demonstrated another handy use for it coupled with the high pass thingy...

I find the ring flash too harsh in this case

I have lightened this image up a fair bit, the ring flash adapter was not that powerful, especially with only my sb600 maybe the flash ring needs to be softened

Its interestign even with you BW conversion the BW shot comes across 'cooler' (if this is even possible with BW?!) like its a silver rather than a white...

thanks for the reworks Suren

biggerry wrote:Its interestign even with you BW conversion the BW shot comes across 'cooler' (if this is even possible with BW?!) like its a silver rather than a white...

I left a smidgen of skin tones in that image. Found it looked better that way rather than pure BW.

biggerry wrote:the ring flash adapter was not that powerful,

Were you using Orbis or something? OR was it the macro ring flash made by nikon?

biggerry wrote:thanks for the reworks Suren

no problemo.

biggerry wrote:guassian blur and applying it just to the background or using it to smooth our complexions, very handy tool.

might be better to use the median tool to preserve the skin texture...

I prefer the colour version of the first Gerry.
There seems to be more depth to it.

Were you using Orbis or something? OR was it the macro ring flash made by nikon?

its a bit like the orbis, but it basically sits on the flash when mounted on the camera, I am not sure of the brand name, from memory its around the AUD200 mark so it must be similiar to the orbis number.

might be better to use the median tool to preserve the skin texture...

hmm, i got guassian, high pass and unsharp...

I prefer the colour version of the first Gerry.
There seems to be more depth to it.

thanks colin, I actually agree with you here, I do find the colour version better, but i really had a BW conversion in mind

Gerry

number 4: the wrinkles make the image seem more "real" and therefore for me more attractive.. I am not a fan of the airbrushed look. But that may be because I am getting old and have lots of wrinkles of my own.

Philip

number 4: the wrinkles make the image seem more "real" and therefore for me more attractive.. I am not a fan of the airbrushed look. But that may be because I am getting old and have lots of wrinkles of my own.

lol Philip, I hear ya! this young lady had a big night before which i would attribute those wrinkles to...I am not a fan of the total airbrush look, however I am interested in how they do it in NX2...