What a difference a year makes

[srwatters]

So I was going through some old images I made at the Rolando Gomez workshop I attended in June 2005. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to photograph Holley Dorrough before she hit the big time (Playboy). Thank goodness I shot in RAW so I have the chance to come back and re-edit the image. Compare my post processing efforts from 2005 with what my 'normal' workflow is today...



Opinions?

[venchka]

The flesh tones are better, especially at 7-8 o'clock relative to her navel. I would notice that.

Seriously, she looks much more natural and evenly lit. Good progress.

[gpbusa316]

Agree about the skin tones... Also, the blotchy skin on her abdomen is much better, along with the reduction in hotspots that were in the first as well.

But I like the brightness of the background in the original more than the edited version.

[srwatters]

I sort of did this just for fun. I don't like the chopped off hand, but when I shot it, I didn't really know what I was doing. Another in the long list of lessons learned. I might toss another layer on this one and curve adjust that BG.

Thanks for the comments.

[DavidsStudio]

Originally Posted by srwatters

So I was going through some old images I made at the Rolando Gomez workshop I attended in June 2005.

Nice image.

I am signed up for one of Rolando's workshops in San Antonio this October. How did you like the workshop? Well organized? Reasonable shooting space? Workable ratio of shooters to models? Quality of any handouts/materials? As a teacher, I am always curious about those things.

Thanks

David

[Michelle Allmon]

make my skin look like that. :)

[d2creative]

Awesome.
It's always fun to look back... scary sometimes, too.

Sometimes I look back at my portfolio that got me my job here almost 8 years ago.
Talk about scary! I can't believe they hired me! lol

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by DavidsStudio

Nice image.

Thanks!

I am signed up for one of Rolando's workshops in San Antonio this October. How did you like the workshop? Well organized? Reasonable shooting space? Workable ratio of shooters to models? Quality of any handouts/materials? As a teacher, I am always curious about those things.

Expect to have good solid models, great makeup, and excellent lighting. Beyond that, you're on your own. Rolando put's on a great workshop, but the actual photography instruction is up to you to extract from him and the other attendees. At least that was my experience. Don't get me wrong, it's not a negative review. In fact some of the best images in my portfolio were shot at this workshop. Just realize that if you haven't worked with models before, you are in for a steep learning curve.

Here are my suggestions for a great first time at a RG workshop:

1. Don't be shy. Talk to Rolando. Ask questions. Talk to the model(s). Be nice to them. Happy models make better images.
2. Don't just stand in front of the set and shoot. Look for different angles and compositions to make your images unique. Watch out for BG clutter (depends on the venue).
3. Pay attention to your composition, histogram and exposure, shoot in RAW if you can.
4. Pay for the model releases. I'm glad I did because some of the images I may sell as stock.
5. Don't be shy! Network. Ask questions. No question is too silly if it helps you get better images.

Have fun. I really enjoyed my experience with Rolando. He's a good story teller and has a wealth of knowledge if you're willing to help extract it from him.

[DavidsStudio]

Thanks Scott. Valuable information to know ahead of time.

David

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by Michelle Allmon

make my skin look like that. :)

Come to Dallas and shoot with me. I'm sure we can make your skin look like that

[LoungeLizard]

OK, buddy, so what are the "photo tips" to get from your processing one year ago to today? What are you doing different? What did you change? What did you improve? Focus on? Tools? Etc.?

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by LoungeLizard

OK, buddy, so what are the "photo tips" to get from your processing one year ago to today? What are you doing different? What did you change? What did you improve? Focus on? Tools? Etc.?

OK. I'll give it up

- more tweaking of the image in the RAW converter (ACR) rather than in Photoshop. I make sure that I have the right exposure, black level, contrast, white balance, and saturation set in ACR. I usually make only very small changes once the image is in Photoshop. Previously I would just get the WB and exposure correct and leave the other sliders/tabs alone.

- ACR calibration. Just ask Jeff Kohn.

- Touch-ups using a combination of patch tool, clone stamp, and rarely the healing brush. I now often immediately fade a patch or clone to get more realistic looking results.

- I've discovered the liquify filter. Embarassed as I may be, I didn't know what it was until a couple of months ago

- Adjustment layers and masks. I use them now.

- Kodak Digital Gem Airbrush. Enough said Beats the heck out of gausian blur and noise reduction.

- KPT Equalizer. Figure it out. Not easy, but interesting sharpening and local contrast.

I'm still just a Photoshop dunce. I'm learning more from everywhere that I can. Tutorials, forums, Photoshop User Magazine. All that stuff.

[LoungeLizard]

Originally Posted by srwatters

- I've discovered the liquify filter. Embarassed as I may be, I didn't know what it was until a couple of months ago

You know, I was going to say you looked slimmer in your last photo!

Thanks for the info!

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Nice post Scott!

I used to use PS2/ACR for a lot but lately, I've found that I get much better results from CaptureNX. Of course, this really only applies to Nikon owners. I could probably get the same results from PS2/ACR if I could just find the time to get "better" at it. PS2 can (and probably will) take a lifetime to master. I use it, but only when I have to do something special... like removing image defects, B&W conversions, special filtering, etc.

If I'm doing something "less important", I'll just fire up BibblePro and batch the entire job. It's quick and easy and the results are very nice.

- Wil

[digitaldooda]

From interviewing many of the pro photo labs in Dallas, I asked them for advice on what to offer in my digital imaging courses. One of the bits of important information was to use curves for more subtle adjusting and to have no skin tone go above 189 in any color channel (red) in an RGB mode. Even though that may look a little dark, it gives the lab enough digital information to give you a pleasing skin tone that doesn't go red. Nice shot.

Vickie