Last PS Challenge for 2009 - Opens Dec 21- Closes Jan 4

[MicWayWal]

This Challenge will close on Monday January 4, 2010. I will look over the responses for a couple of days and then make a decision on the winner who will submit the next challenge.

I have decided to post an image that I encounter at least 7-10 times a year.

You know the dilemma. It is not the best background to begin with anyway. You are testing your setup with your clients in place; checking exposure, determining flash power, looking at composition. You get close but still too far away from your final settings to use the image. But it turns out this image is the only one where your clients look decent. Now what do you do? Can you make something creative out of it so you can show it to your client or is it lost forever because you can't salvage the image. As a result you never show it to your client.

What would you do creatively to this image to make it a winner in your client's eye?




Here is the link to the full jpg file of the image if you want to use it: http://www.portraitsofdistinction.com/TPF/19D8_0111.jpg

[RandySmith]

Here's my modification attempt.

Happy Holidays Everybody !

[Michael_ky]

Michael. Do you have the original raw file? *.CR2 ? It will be a lot better for WB. - Cheers Michael Vanky

[MicWayWal]

Originally Posted by Michael_ky

Michael. Do you have the original raw file? *.CR2 ? It will be a lot better for WB. - Cheers Michael Vanky

No Michael. I shoot everything jpg. That's what makes this so challenging. My files are almost worthless until my lights are set, white balanced and properly exposed. Good Luck.

[prncfarquad]

Here is my try..

[Michael_ky]

I thought that I will post it tomorrow for a 2009 Xmast. But I will be very busy! So here is my version.
Wishing you all have a blessed holiday.

[Bob_S]

Not too original but I wasn't really sure what else I could do with it.

[whiteshadow]

Hi im new in this forum...
here is my 1st try..hope u enjoy it

[dracula02]

Here's my rendition

[MicWayWal]

Thanks for the entries so far. Today is the last day for entering.
I will review entries tomorrow and announce the winner.

[BeccaJ]

well, ive never participated in this - but im bored to death at my day job and i love photoshop to pieces - so here - sweet and simple - hope it looks ok, this monitor isnt calibrated for 'nothin!

[SpeedRacerSlots]

Here is my spin on it.
KISS principle. noise reduction, straightened horizon (based on frame angle), eliminated the glare off the frame, a little boost here and there, recrop.

[MicWayWal]

Decision coming today.

[MicWayWal]

Randy Smith.
... runner up is Michael.

I based my decision on two elements.
1. How you handled the objectionable parts of the image.
2. Which had the best chance of selling to a customer.

As I see it, there are four major problems with my image; under-exposure, color balance, hair blowing across the profile of the two girls holding the frame, and a distracting background. I felt like both of you handled these problems excellently. I feel like Randy's take has a better chance of selling to a customer.

Challenge winner


runner-up



Randy, it is your turn to submit an image for the next challenge.

[RandySmith]

This was fun, I plan to participate with more of these challenges.

I'll find an image and start a new thread to begin another competition today.

Randy