I had this idea to capture the sparklyness (there is one for your wordery Jani) of this ring bouncing off the natural light from my window. That didn't work so well. Then I decided that I would try a retro-ish photo which I somewhat achieved by using GIMP->Filters->Decor->Old Photo. I like this, but still think it needs some oomph, that I have no idea how to get. In my mind I saw the pretty soft colors that Amy Hughes or Annie Charalambous routinely capture, but obviously I am not as good as them. Oh well.
I think you did a great job at the retro looking shot! Myself, to get the retro look (like for today's selfie) - I usually shoot in colour, then desaturate the colour on Picnik to my liking, go under contrast (click on advanced) and bring up the brightness level until I'm happy with it. I also sometimes cross-process on top of that (fade the level of it a bit if it seems to much) and then, if I still think it needs a little more retro'y look about it, add the 1960's filter too, fading that a bit if necessary. My selfie today was actually shot in monochrome, so I didn't need to desaturate at all, but you get the picture? I think?
Sorry to go on and on, but I hope that answers your question. You can also use the soft focus on picnik and fade it to your liking if you want it to have that little "glow" to it. I think this would have been a little more retro looking if shot on a pale non-textured background, but that's just me.
Now, having said ALL that - I am certainly no expert, and I definitely don't posess Annie or Amy's amazing skills, just telling you my process. Hope it helps:)
Thanks for immensifying my wordery! I really like the retro feel, works well with the subject. One ingredient for soft colors is adding depth to shots and get unfocused background colors blend to yummy tones...
@pwallis
You wrote me a book! lol. Thanks for the tips. I went back and tried your suggestions and I wish I had thought to do all of that in the first place as it looks much better. Thanks! @janmaki
I do believe immensifiying is made up Jani talk. lol. I tried adding depth and it just made the ring look like really bad bokeh.
I like it :) see, I'm not one for monochrome at all - or at the very least, I like them to be feminine colors, which is just my style. I think the oomph you want could be achieved by actually changing your angle a bit and then some slight tinting for the color. BUT I like the softness here a lot!
@indiannie_jones
Thank you so much for taking the time to look and comment Annie! I hadn't thought of the tinting, that would have worked I bet. I really was just disappointed with the lack of color, even in the original version, it did not achieve the color sparkle I wanted. Perhaps an angle change would have helped.
Oh but I really really like it!! It makes it look antique, all it needs is a few cracks and water stains and its a photo straight from mt grandmothers attic that has been buried in an old dusty chest...see, it made my imagination work so that means it was successful! I do really like what you did.
@indiannie_jones
Sorry to go on and on, but I hope that answers your question. You can also use the soft focus on picnik and fade it to your liking if you want it to have that little "glow" to it. I think this would have been a little more retro looking if shot on a pale non-textured background, but that's just me.
Now, having said ALL that - I am certainly no expert, and I definitely don't posess Annie or Amy's amazing skills, just telling you my process. Hope it helps:)
You wrote me a book! lol. Thanks for the tips. I went back and tried your suggestions and I wish I had thought to do all of that in the first place as it looks much better. Thanks!
@janmaki
I do believe immensifiying is made up Jani talk. lol. I tried adding depth and it just made the ring look like really bad bokeh.
Thank you so much for taking the time to look and comment Annie! I hadn't thought of the tinting, that would have worked I bet. I really was just disappointed with the lack of color, even in the original version, it did not achieve the color sparkle I wanted. Perhaps an angle change would have helped.
Will do Annie! Thanks again!
@zero_rhetoric
Thanks Oren!
Thank you so much Amy!