family shot

Elaine

I took some shots for some friends today. They were wanting a shot for their Christmas card in particular. I think this was the best of the bunch...trying to get 3 kids and 2 adults to all look towards the camera at the same time ranks as a feat in my book! My 6 yo son assisted me today by hamming it up beside me to try and keep the attention of the little ones. I wish I had a few shots of his antics!

C&C appreciated, especially on PP as I haven't released this to the family yet. Thanks!

System

a nice shot-

popping it some?

gus

I think its a wonderfull family shot. If i was to say anything it would be that some of the faces appear a touch blown out (mostly the little girl mum is holding) & i would maybe tone the reds down a bit.

Mrs F

Very nice, Elaine. You're so lucky to have a little helper!

Elaine

Thanks! I seem to be having some issues with differences in display. Since I started shooting RAW, what I show on Dgrin is slightly brighter and tends to wash out a bit (and look a little blown when it isn't) compared to what I see in my editor. It's a slight but noticable difference. I'm not sure what to do about this, but it is frustrating. I wonder how the prints will look?

Scott_Quier

Elaine wrote:

Thanks! I seem to be having some issues with differences in display. Since I started shooting RAW, what I show on Dgrin is slightly brighter and tends to wash out a bit (and look a little blown when it isn't) compared to what I see in my editor. It's a slight but noticable difference. I'm not sure what to do about this, but it is frustrating. I wonder how the prints will look?

Check to make sure that:

• You are creating your JPG in the sRGB color space. If you are generating aRGB and then uploading them to SmugMug, they are converted by SmugMug to sRGB and that might be causing a difference in the luminosity of the photos.
• Your monitor is calibrated. If your monitor is a little dark, you may be running the exposure up a bit and then the rest of the world sees very bright images.

Just a couple of thoughts off the top of my head.

As for the photograph, I think this is a good one for the intended purpose - well done. It could stand a little more pop - I'm wondering if you're setting your black and white points?

jeffreaux2

Sheesh I really struggle with group portraits like this. I like the composition, but agree with the other comments including yours. The girl being held has what seems to be the brightest part of the image on her cheek, and the image as a whole could use some pop. If it helps, I am having trouble giving myself completely over to LR as well. I haven't noticed issues with luminence, but can't stand the sharpening and noise features. I got so frustrated with it that earlier this week I got out of it and processed nearly 400 wedding photos in ACR and CS3. I know it is a good product, I am just having growing pains with it, and have not learned how to control it as well as the other programs I use.

saurora

Elaine wrote:

Thanks! I seem to be having some issues with differences in display. Since I started shooting RAW, what I show on Dgrin is slightly brighter and tends to wash out a bit (and look a little blown when it isn't) compared to what I see in my editor. It's a slight but noticable difference. I'm not sure what to do about this, but it is frustrating. I wonder how the prints will look?

Nice shot Elaine! Your processing looks slightly different than your usual? It's more contrasty and like others have said, the highlights are slightly blown. I don't think all of this is due to Dgrin's slightly brighter display (which I have noticed, too). Your prints should print slightly darker, so this may not be such a bad thing. I recently sent in a bunch of shots just to see how they would come out. I wasn't sure about my monitor and also my 'eye' for skin tones. I even chose 'true' coloring and they came out exactly like what I was seeing on my screen. I was quite pleased (and relieved!). Are you using any new equipment (camera, monitor, etc.). ?

Elaine

I'm still not using LR at all because I have no idea where to start! This stuff is just not intuitive for me. I'm using PSE 5 and the only reason I'm somewhat comfortable with that is because I took an on-line class about it back when PSE 3 was the newest thing. As far as I can tell, I am using sRGB. Image> Convert Color Profile> Apply sRGB is already chosen.

It's so strange that the littlest girl's cheek appears to be the hottest spot because it really isn't! As far as I can tell, there is a minute blown spot on the dad's head as well as on the oldest girl's face. "Blown" to me means a value of 254, 254, 254. There are a couple more spots near those and one on the littlest girl's face that appear to be blown in the red channel but not the others. Oh...and I don't know how to set black and white points...
I just figured out to use the color picker to determine what the values were in a given spot!

The only new thing I'm using is RAW, and this seems to be contributing to my processing issues. I do feel like I'm slowly learning more and getting more picky, so this is also contributing some frustration. I guess I'll go back to the drawing board on this one. I'm glad the comp is at least decent so I should be able to arrive at a nice final product, I hope. I'll be back!

Icebear

Black dress and pants
I'd like to see a bit more of the texture.

So you've got some hot spots and too dark blacks. GO TO LIGHROOM ELAINE! Use your recovery slider and fill light slider in the Develop module and see wha hapns. I'll bet you'll like it. I took the liberty of messing with it. If you want to see it, PM me and I'll e-mail it to ya..

photogmomma

Icebear wrote:

I'd like to see a bit more of the texture.

So you've got some hot spots and too dark blacks. GO TO LIGHROOM ELAINE! Use your recovery slider and fill light slider in the Develop module and see wha hapns. I'll bet you'll like it. I took the liberty of messing with it. If you want to see it, PM me and I'll e-mail it to ya..

COME TO THE LIGHT SIDE, ELAINE! !

This is a great shot, but do what Icebear says and drag the recover down. then take the "clarity" and play with that - drag it to about 30-50. That'll bump the contrast, but only in the midtones. I just learned about it and am LOVING the results. Very subtle, but definitely a huge difference!

Very nice shot, though!!!!

Elaine

photogmomma wrote:

COME TO THE LIGHT SIDE, ELAINE! !

This is a great shot, but do what Icebear says and drag the recover down. then take the "clarity" and play with that - drag it to about 30-50. That'll bump the contrast, but only in the midtones. I just learned about it and am LOVING the results. Very subtle, but definitely a huge difference!

Very nice shot, though!!!!

I've been fiddling with LR and this shot and I don't really feel like I'm making any progress. I was in search of the "clarity" function when I opened it and couldn't find it...saw your message and now am going crazy! Where in the world do I find the clarity slider??

Icebear

Lightroom
You do have Lightroom 1.2, right. The clarity slider is in the "Presence" group, right below the Tone group in the Develop module. Clarity will be your best friend. Seriously. Recovery, Fill Light and Clarity and you'll like your shot.

Elaine

Icebear wrote:

You do have Lightroom 1.2, right. The clarity slider is in the "Presence" group, right below the Tone group in the Develop module. Clarity will be your best friend. Seriously. Recovery, Fill Light and Clarity and you'll like your shot.

A computer issue has prevented me from updating to 1.2. My dear hubby is now on the job of resolving that issue so 1.2 can be installed. Then, I hope, I'm in business! Thanks for pointing that out.