Post processing opinions

[ozimax]

Attention all the portrait pros in DSLRusers land. I would be interested in your opinion on which of the following processing seems best. (I'm not concerned about sharpness. The original is razor sharp but heavy web compression has obviously made it softer).

The image is that of my youngest daughter, who, unlike her mother, is always available to be a guinea pig for my photography!

Mainly unprocessed, just tweaking WB and sharpening in PS camera raw.


Processed with a glamour PS action.


Processed with Portrait Professional

[Mr Darcy]

I don't pretend to be a portrait specialist, but I would rate them
#1, #3, #2
The second looks positively unnatural
The only change I would make would be to warm the skin tones in #1 ever so slightly.

[Remorhaz]

Yes - I also really didn't like what #2 did to the skin and if anything I like #1 and #3 about the same - which I guess means do nothing

[ozimax]

Thanks for the comments. I think the exercise may be one in futility because the web viewed images are so different from the full sized ones. Oh well, we tried.

[CraigVTR]

I don't think #2 works at all and #3 look over exposed to me. But I know nothing as I myself am asking for portrait advice in another thread. Sorry I cannot be any help.

[sirhc55]

#3

[surenj]

I am no portrait expert. I am expert on what I like though.

Depends on what you want to achieve with 'portrait professional'. Do you want the freckles gone? Do you want the pupil sizes to be equal? etc etc If not, #1 is the best. If yes, then you need to process manually to match those rather than run an action.

If you wanted to 'beautify' a portrait, you may consider, sharpening eyes, smoothing skin, removing blemishes(while retaining texture), intensifying eye color, whitening teeth and whites of the eyes.

Personally I want the color of the background changed to something less intrusive on the subject. Also a little less out of focus as well if possible to reduce the texture.

The expression, eye contact etc are outstanding and it shows how much connection you have made with the subject. I reckon keep it as it is. Very frame-able portrait.

[surenj]

Also, uncanny resemblence! Didn't notice initially

[Matt. K]

OZIMAX

What a brilliant young model you have there! Your image reminds me of a Chuck Close portrait (If you don't know him then just Google it to see examples). I think you have a masterpiece in the making here. Go back and do exactly what you did for the above portrait but turn the camera through to portrait mode. Get close enough to really fill the frame with her head only. Shoot at F8 or F11 with your sharpest lens.Get someone to make you a very large canvas print and Presto! Brilliant work of art!

[ozimax]

Thanks Matt.

I've often said that if my kids have their mother's brains and my good looks, they'll be set for life........no wonder they laugh me to scorn at every opportunity.

[zafra52]

As above, 1,3 and 2. I think you went a bit too far;
while 3 is too bright. I would also crop to a square
format. Too much empty space on her left.