Too much retouching?

[wordjam]

Or is this sort of thing more a matter of taste?

Hi all, I'm new here, and also new to my 40D. Learning that AND Photoshop by trial and error, (mostly error) Thanks for any input!!!

[zemlin]

This photo needs exposure and color adjustments more than she needed cleaning up (I suspect - since we don't know what you started with).
Skin tone is cool - maybe a bit green too. Whites are too dark. Contrast is low The areas of her face where you appear to have done your work don't quite look like they belong in the picture.

I'd suggest you start over on this one, and before you even consider any sort of local retouching, nail the color, exposure, and contrast.

[lputman]

I would have to agree with zemlin, you do have a green thing going on here. Can you post the original photo? Also, what were your camera settings?

[Songman45]

Originally Posted by lputman

I would have to agree with zemlin, you do have a green thing going on here. Can you post the original photo? Also, what were your camera settings?

+1

[PetersenPhotography]

Since we don't have the original to go from, I'm not sure what help I can offer other than to be another +1. Can you post the original, with no post work?

[zemlin]

One more thing.
Beautiful little girl! It would be nice if you could get a little light in her eyes so we could see some detail in those big, brown eyes.

Lighting in shade outdoors can be tough. If you're in shade, the light will have a blue hue from the sky. If you are near, or light is filtering through foliage - maybe reflecting from grass - it will appear green. I think you have a mix in this shot. I tried to balance the color, but by the time I got the skin tones looking right, the whites on the dress were purple. A white reflector (foam core board) held close to her chest reflecting up might help here by keeping green light from reflecting from the grass, putting a little light in her eyes, and filling in the shadows.

[wordjam]

Here is the original with (I hope) all the info.
Thanks for the input!!!!

[lputman]

You introduced the heavy green in your processing. Look at the dots on her dress, they are more greeny-brown than yellowish. I think the original looks a little cool and could be warmed a little but that's all.

She is adorable!

[mcbit]

I prefer the original to the processed version. I think the original needs no more than a little 'curves' application.

[wordjam]

Thanks much for the input! I knew the color of the dress had changed significantly, due to the changes I had made, but I was wondering mostly about whether or not I was doing too much as far as skin tones etc. Obviously I was .
I'm little more than an enthusiast that is considering my new found love of Photography as a means to supplement my income in my retirement years. (which is only a few years off)
It's unbelievable how much there is to learn, and am grateful for people like you that are so willing to be helpful, and explain in detail to so many of us. (Even the silly questions) I only wish photography school were an option for me.
Hm.. maybe there's a place here where photos are put up just for the purpose of being critiqued?
Thanks again for the time you all take to help!

[Rain Lily]

Originally Posted by wordjam

Thanks much for the input! I knew the color of the dress had changed significantly, due to the changes I had made, but I was wondering mostly about whether or not I was doing too much as far as skin tones etc. Obviously I was .
I'm little more than an enthusiast that is considering my new found love of Photography as a means to supplement my income in my retirement years. (which is only a few years off)
It's unbelievable how much there is to learn, and am grateful for people like you that are so willing to be helpful, and explain in detail to so many of us. (Even the silly questions) I only wish photography school were an option for me.
Hm.. maybe there's a place here where photos are put up just for the purpose of being critiqued?
Thanks again for the time you all take to help!

This kind of photo of the little girl can be put in the Portraits/People forum and you'll receive great critique, especially if you request it specifically.

Do you mind if I play with an edit? You don't indicate in your avatar if edits are ok...and what software are you using to edit?

Everyone gave you good input already and also may want to give it a try themselves, if you don't mind.

[wordjam]

Absolutely play with it!! I have PS, and I'll figure out how to allow edits and also find that forum.. thanks Much!

[Ellbee99]

Here is a quick edit. I basically just lightened it and added a bit of red.

It is a sweet image. I especially like the one of Maddy looking up that you have in your gallery.

For some reason I can't get it to upload. I'll try again later.

[Rain Lily]

I'm glad you made a post, Lori, and bumped this back up, I had forgotten about it, LOL.

Here's my edit - lightened in levels, white balance correction; then I brightened the eyes, and then bumped the contrast a little bit; ran a 3% burn over the shadows, and then 3% dodge over the highlights (maybe that part wasn't needed, I tend to do things too bright); sharpened and that's it.

Hope you like it - come on over to portraits and hang out, we'll learn a bunch together!

[lputman]

I love your edit Sis!

[wordjam]

I love it!! I'll definitely be hanging out in your neighborhood!! Thanks!!

[Ellbee99]

Here is my edit. I could finally upload it.

I like Sis's edit, but to my eye it is a bit too bright, but as you suggested, somethings are a matter of taste. JMHO

I also removed the thumb/ finger grabbing her arm.

[lputman]

I like your edit too Lori.

[Ellbee99]

Thanks Lori.

[mcbit]

I did this one last night but didn't ask 'the question' so didn't post. I'm with Lori, the thumb had to go.