Which is better? Before or after?

sjconst

So my learning goal for this week is "mastering" lightroom and today I was looking at presets and trying to create my own. I re-edited a previous photo I had taken of myself with the husband to what I thought looked nice. But someone commented that the SOOC version was better. And now I am really confused. Which one (or neither) do you like more? I obviously like bolder and brighter, but to a fault?

SOOC:



First edit:



Today's edit:

zoomer

First shot with a levels adjustment...for me.

moose135

On my (uncalibrated, laptop) monitor, the skin tones in the final edit look off to me, Stephanie - too yellow, and a little blown out on the (photo) right side of your face. Otherwise, I prefer that crop, and the bolder colors are fine, just take another look at the skin tones.

VitaminV

I think I like look and feel of the first edit better. Just clone out the crow and see if you can bring out the color of the water without affecting the skin tones and green jacket color (they're off on the second edit). Maybe fill in the divot too?

clearcreek

Here is my take. I like the composition of the #3 but not the skin tones on my uncalibrated monitor. Skin tones are much better on #2.

Dreadnote

I like the tighter crop but I'm not in love with the tilt or colors. My take, for what it's worth is leave the colors like number one and level out the horizon but crop tight like number three.

sjconst

Skin tones are driving me nuts today, it might be my computer monitor because when I looked at the same photo on my ipad it looked more yellow. Thank you guys!

anonymouscuban

Processing from #2. Crop from #3.

/thread

reyvee61

I prefer the SOOC as well with a tighter crop and a few adjustments via levels

Yaflyyadie

anonymouscuban wrote: »

Processing from #2. Crop from #3.

/thread

^ X 2.
Yafly.

BrettDeutsch

My monitor is calibrated, and the skin tones are way yellow in #3 (and it's over exposed), but like most other poster I like the crop of #3 the best (I could live without the tilt though).

sjconst

I promise to never, ever, mess with my photos too much. Too much of a good thing can be so very bad No more yellow people for me, I promise to stop over editing photos

anonymouscuban

sjconst wrote: »

I promise to never, ever, mess with my photos too much. Too much of a good thing can be so very bad No more yellow people for me, I promise to stop over editing photos

I think it's safe to say we've all been through this and I believe it's part of evolving as a photographer and experimenting with the tools we have. It's part of the learning curve.

PappyRoot

I all for the last one or the one from today. I love being able to see you and your husbands personality through your smiles. I love how bright and cheerful this image represents. It is perfect in my humble opinion. I will admit to you tho that I am a total noob so my 2 cents worth may not be worth it.

Love and Prayers to you and your family

Darryl

sjconst

PappyRoot wrote: »

I all for the last one or the one from today. I love being able to see you and your husbands personality through your smiles. I love how bright and cheerful this image represents. It is perfect in my humble opinion. I will admit to you tho that I am a total noob so my 2 cents worth may not be worth it.

Love and Prayers to you and your family

Darryl

Thank you! To yours as well!

zoomer

Never be afraid to experiment, that is where growth lies.

...my thinking on this, is that you took a trip to the ocean, include the ocean. You can take closeups anywhere.

There is nothing wrong with a yellow tint, or a blue tint, or whatever, it is your photo make it how you like it.

D3Sshooter

I would say the second one, maybe you can saturate the blue a bit more or place a filter on the sky.

VayCayMom

zoomer wrote: »

First shot with a levels adjustment...for me.

me too