When is processing really improving the image or just adding extras for fun? I do agree some photos definately improve with processing but in this case is the more natural look better for a portrait type or is the extra filtering adding something good?
@agima thanks for that, I change my mind every time i look at them :) I did apply sharpening and a smidge of structure on the top one, the bottom also has a drama filter from snapseed on it too.
For me the additional contrast just take away the haze that is in nearly all photos. I think it makes them easier on the eye as you see the object as you would through your own eyes.
For a more natural look you would go half way between the top and the bottom if that is possible with the software you are using.
I prefer the first one. There is no rule for editing, some photos need very very slight editing, if not at all, and some will improve greatly with editing.
Did you also tried to add some softness, blur, and/or reduce contrast instead of increasing it? You would then get something more dreamy...just a thought.
If you are looking for a natural portrait, I pick the 1st one. I try to do as little post processing as possible because my goal is to try to get it "right" straight out of the camera. I'm learning every day and enjoying the challenge I made for myself to really learn the settings on my camera before jumping into a lot off editing. I edit when I feel it adds to the picture or I'm going for a special effect or if I have to remove something that doesn't belong in the picture. As in any art for, it's all a matter of opinion and what the artist sees and feels they want to do with the photo is all that really matters.
@scatcat, aahhh, yes more ideas! I know i have quite a bit of practice on processing to do and which way to go depending on the photo and feel i have about it. Thanks for that, these are all very valuable tips!
lets see how far my project takes me :)
@emjay8 - I enjoy playing around with editing sometimes and do want to learn it more in depth. But I feel I need to be confident in what I'm doing with my camera alone and with knowing photography in general before I add editing on any major level. Good luck with whatever you do!
Post-processing can be done two ways - to add a *little* extra drama but still keeping a natural look, or going way overboard with a specific artistic goal in mind. Your bottom image has more than a little, but just comes across grainy and overdone, with two much Clarity slider causing weird halos all over the place - a little less harshness, to get an image between the two, would be well nice :)
To expand on the former - what your eye sees at the time of taking a shot can't really be fully represented in the final photo. There's the small matter of the lack of a peripheral vision providing no context in the photo, for one thing, and that your experience of the view will be made up of both the light entering your eye *and* the feelings/memories conjured up by your brain. So, to enhance the contrast, or up the colour saturation, with the goal of creating a stronger connection with the emotion you felt at the time... that's what I was getting at.
@eyebrows thanks! I appreciate the critique on the second photo. Along the lines of your second post Im stoked i got the photo with a natural smile on her face as she is going thru a camera shy phase and we had a fun time out on our run/scoot so now im thinking for this particular pic i need to be tending to something closer to the first than the second, so I know what you are getting at, thanks :)
@emjay8
I never process delicate subject, like a picture of a child, I process images which have the space to allow for the processing else it seems cluttered in your frame. Portraits and HDR is an issue by itself, aged faces and black and white, wrinkles, close up portraits look good with HDR, children don't really lend themselves to HDR. I've not read all the replies here so might be repeating, but the main thing about processing is having an eye for what needs it and what doesn't. I see before I take the photo a situation, or subject and think, I could do this in processing to that, and I take the shot. It's practice.
I do prefere the top one; to me, the modified version looks too modified. I personally try do do just some sharpening on eyes and important bits. I'm not expert at all so it's just my 2 cents
I prefer the top one as the sharpening on the background of the bottom seems to draw me away from the child. I find that the darker contrast in the bottom also changes the feel and emotion of the child.
@emjay8 I much prefer the top one as well, and agree completely with @eyebrows about too much 'clarity' (or whatever your editing software calls it). What clarity does is apply sharpening at a very wide radius - meaning that anywhere there is an 'edge' within your image (e.g. the line of her chin), the edge is further emphasised by darkening the darker side and/or lightening the lighter side. Look carefully at the second image and you'll see the thick dark haloes around all the 'edges' within it. A little bit of clarity might have been quite effective, but to my eyes it rather detracts from the second portrait. Hope this helps :)
A lot of suggestions already, I agree with them peeps :D
The top one is gorgeous as it is already. The lower picture is a bit too edited. Adding a bit of contrast is okay, but not too much. :D
i process the shit out of just about everything... why not add more of that personal touch to your pic.
however, in regards to the two pics you posted, i actually quite prefer the top one. the bottom is too much touch, if you know what i mean. if it were me, i may just mess with the lighting a touch but more with the SC (keep the little girl in color and everything else in b&w, maybe?) and perhaps give a soft blur to the background.
I have to agree with pp, I much prefer the top one. It is a lovely photo, the bottom one looks too processed to me.
I enjoy a bit of post-processing but try and keep it natural (whether I succeed is another question ;) )
I must add I am but a mere ametur so it is just my opinion ;)
I think it's a very subjective issue. Which do *you* prefer? When I'm not sure about my shot, I leave it, do something else for half an hour or so and then go back to it. You come back to it with a rested eye. It's surprising how that clarifies your preference. Have fun! :-)
I like the top one as well. I am just starting to learn about editing and processing. I get intimidated on here sometimes because there are so many processed photos that I keep questioning myself as to whether I should be making some adjustments to my shots. The processed shots seem to get more attention and views sometimes. I have to say, I do see why people like them. I see old trucks and different landscapes that are just beautiful in HDR. Glad you posted your comment because I was wondering the same thing.
The top one looks better to me. The bottom is to dark, the colors and skin tone appears unnatural. However if you used those same edits but just a slight touch to bring out some detail, in between the two. Looks like you changed highlights and shadows? If so, the highlights are a bit much.
if you're going for a portrait, which do you prefer? a little post-process can help...and a lot can make it "art." total personal preference. sometimes i look at the image and decide which genre of art/photography would fit it and go that way.
of your two, i like the top one with no processing. i think it would also be a nice black and white because of all the contrasting colors and the photo-journalistic candid feel of the shot.
Something to consider with post- often when you send images to the lab the machine will automatically adjust exposure, color, etc unless you use a lab that you can specify no color correction. The look in the two images is often the type of post done in printing systems. I often take 2 images, one to do heavy post / editing and one none or little. For this project this year is a bit different just for self challenge of only using phone, and it seems more editing is a bit more fun, but that is just personal project reasons.
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
For a more natural look you would go half way between the top and the bottom if that is possible with the software you are using.
Jen
@lynne3804 thanks for your input
Did you also tried to add some softness, blur, and/or reduce contrast instead of increasing it? You would then get something more dreamy...just a thought.
lets see how far my project takes me :)
I never process delicate subject, like a picture of a child, I process images which have the space to allow for the processing else it seems cluttered in your frame. Portraits and HDR is an issue by itself, aged faces and black and white, wrinkles, close up portraits look good with HDR, children don't really lend themselves to HDR. I've not read all the replies here so might be repeating, but the main thing about processing is having an eye for what needs it and what doesn't. I see before I take the photo a situation, or subject and think, I could do this in processing to that, and I take the shot. It's practice.
The top one is gorgeous as it is already. The lower picture is a bit too edited. Adding a bit of contrast is okay, but not too much. :D
however, in regards to the two pics you posted, i actually quite prefer the top one. the bottom is too much touch, if you know what i mean. if it were me, i may just mess with the lighting a touch but more with the SC (keep the little girl in color and everything else in b&w, maybe?) and perhaps give a soft blur to the background.
just my three cents...
cute subject piece, regardless ;)
I enjoy a bit of post-processing but try and keep it natural (whether I succeed is another question ;) )
I must add I am but a mere ametur so it is just my opinion ;)
of your two, i like the top one with no processing. i think it would also be a nice black and white because of all the contrasting colors and the photo-journalistic candid feel of the shot.
@chewyteeth @woot @dieter @dulciknit @chaostheater @sdpace @cchambers thanks very much for the tips
@grecican thanks, your 3 cents is very much appreciated :)
@slb @kjam @kimmiesue @audreyssee @mummarazzii thanks for your thought/opinions
@sheg thanks, your welcome :)