family shot, round 2

Elaine

I posted this pic awhile back and got some good feedback...
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=75966

Here's another go at the processing. Any better?

SitterS

Hi Elaine. I really like this picture. Can I make a suggestion. I saved the pic (I sure hope you don't mind) and set the white and black points and it popped the color. It looks great I just thought it could use a littel boost of color and that seemed to do it.

Shane

Elaine

Thanks, Shane, and I don't mind you messing with the pic. I agree that it could use some color boost. I think maybe this is because their clothing colors kinda blend in with the background colors? Anyway, as far as I know, I don't have the capability to set white and black points (LR and PSE 5), so I need to figure out how to accomplish this without that. Would you mind sharing your version so I have something to aim for? Thanks!

SitterS

Elaine thanks for not minding if I took a stab at the photo. Some of the blacks are too dark but you get the idea with setting the black and white point. Doesn't PSE5 have a workaround for curves? Try googling smartcurve plug-in as I think this will work for PSE5. Not sure if it is the same as the curves in CS2 and 3. Curves is what I use to set the black/white point in my pictures.

Shane

Elaine

Thanks, Shane! I found smartcurves and plugged it in...thanks for mentioning it! I've been playing with it and wondered where you set the black and white points in this pic.

urbanaries

A great shot to begin with but I really like Shane's edit! Very cool!

Elaine

OK...how 'bout this one? Am I getting there??

SitterS

yes...it looks great! Glad the smartcurves worked for you. We are in the middle of a movie but if you google setting black and white point in curves you will find lots. If you can't find anything I will get back to you on doing it. My little one is yelling for me...got to go

Shane

Felicia

There's a very enlightening tutorial on Dgrin here which gives step-by-step instructions on making your images pop.

Elaine

Felicia wrote:

There's a very enlightening tutorial on Dgrin here which gives step-by-step instructions on making your images pop.

Yep, I've checked it out many times! Still haven't figured a way to get similar results with my software...I guess I'm post-processing challenged. The smartcurve plug-in for PSE 5 probably provides the closest adaptation to the pop tutorial. I think I'm learning some valuable stuff...ever so slowly! Thanks!

Elaine

Here's one of just the siblings. I tried the black point adjustment again...can't seem to retain much detail in the black dress, although it doesn't show it to be completely crushed either. What do you think?