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Post by jackscrap on Aug 1, 2023 3:20:50 GMT
Yesterday I took a few photos of my in-laws for their upcoming anniversary. They were happy to strike a few poses and these two came out the best I think. I would like your opinions on which pose you think is best, don't worry about the backgrounds as I'm still playing with those. I'm glad that I don't do this for a living..... Thank you 😊   |
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VickiD
Established Forum Member
Posts: 718 
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by VickiD on Aug 1, 2023 3:46:35 GMT
Jacki, I think they look so much more natural in the first photo. The second one seems a tad 'forced'. Of course, this is just my opinion. I think it's wonderful that you're doing this for them.  |
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Post by Tpgettys on Aug 1, 2023 3:56:35 GMT
The lighting is so much better in the first one I think, resulting in more even skin tones. The only change that came to me was to see if you could close the man's mouth a bit, but that seems like a big ask. I don't know how I would do such a thing, but there are some wonderful quick edits that might just pull it off. I don't know if I would even like it better, but would like to see if it is easy enough to do.
In any case, I agree it is wonderful that you are taking on this project!
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Post by jackscrap on Aug 1, 2023 7:18:08 GMT
Thank you Tom and Vicki. Yes I was leaning towards the first one too, must have just got lucky with the light. I have found some youtube videos that show how to close lips, but they all use beautiful girl models with no facial hair, and my results do look a little off.... Ray does like a chat and also has Parkinsons, and was very shaky yesterday when I took the photos. Seeing him open mouthed is probably his natural state of being, but here's my results...  |
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Post by cats4jan on Aug 1, 2023 11:28:00 GMT
I actually thought the bottom closed mouth photo was real - not edited. Wow - great job
I was put off by the open mouth... but, I agree - the second photo looks too posed
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Post by Lillias on Aug 1, 2023 13:44:40 GMT
My choice would be for the first one with the mouth open. To me it looks as if they could be having a wee chat with each other and you mention the fact that he does like to chat. I also think this photo portrays a feeling of love between the two which is wonderful.
A lovely project Jacki.
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Post by hmca on Aug 1, 2023 14:19:28 GMT
I think we all agree on the first one. I wouldn't have noticed the open mouth till Tom pointed it out. What I did notice was her teeth which I think would benefit from a little whitening. I did that quickly by duplicating the layer and using the screen blend mode at 68%. I then used a black mask on the screened layer and with a white brush just revealed the teeth. Wanted to add that I think you did a wonderful job as they both look so relaxed and are looking right at the camera.  I know you're not a big fan of B/W but I gave it a try just to see what it would look like.  |
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pontiac1940
CE Members
Posts: 6,359
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by pontiac1940 on Aug 1, 2023 16:53:44 GMT
jackscrapNice work. We do not know your in-laws so it is hard to say which photo captures them best. Technically, the first photo looks best. It is cropped tight on the left side and wonder if that will be an issue for printing and framing. Clive
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Post by hmca on Aug 1, 2023 17:41:14 GMT
We do not know your in-laws so it is hard to say which photo captures them best. Technically, the first photo looks best. It is cropped tight on the left side and wonder if that will be an issue for printing and framing. Two excellent points. |
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Post by jackscrap on Aug 1, 2023 21:34:02 GMT
Thank you everyone for your very helpful suggestions and encouragement. I am so out of my depth with this, but hopefully I will be able to come up with something that they will like. I know that they will appreciate anything that I can conjure up, so all the pressure is being put on me by me.
Helen, I had noticed the teeth needed some lightening, thanks for providing your method, looks a lot better by far.
Clive, good point about the crop, no decision yet about how the end product will be printed or framed, could be a game changer.
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Post by cats4jan on Aug 1, 2023 22:40:48 GMT
When you posted, I assumed you were getting things ready for the invitations. This photo would make a lovely invitation. And, although it is a little tight on one edge, the photo looks balanced to me. It can be placed on a plain colored background to give it a little leeway when printing. A mat can cover the added background allowing it to be beautifully matted and framed.
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Post by fotofrank on Aug 1, 2023 23:42:57 GMT
First of all nice captures with your phone. You may want to add a little blur to make them stand out a little more. I used liquify on his mouth and process this in perfect portrait.  |
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Post by jackscrap on Aug 2, 2023 0:18:56 GMT
When you posted, I assumed you were getting things ready for the invitations. This photo would make a lovely invitation. And, although it is a little tight on one edge, the photo looks balanced to me. It can be placed on a plain colored background to give it a little leeway when printing. A mat can cover the added background allowing it to be beautifully matted and framed. That's a good suggestion to use a plain background, I can see how that would work well. |
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Post by jackscrap on Aug 2, 2023 0:21:47 GMT
fotofrank, I like your results, and I'm still playing with the background and it will probably end up being blurred a little depending on what I use.
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Post by Tpgettys on Aug 2, 2023 5:04:30 GMT
First of all nice captures with your phone. You may want to add a little blur to make them stand out a little more. I used liquify on his mouth and process this in perfect portrait.
FWIW: I like this one the best; a little teeth helps somehow. The added skin tone helps also. I doubt I am not alone in wanting the "real" me to be presented, but all in all I am ok with reducing some of the the skin defects (thank you very much).
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