Help me get better!

[vphan119]

hello all! i am a photographer working on my editing skills and need some constructive criticism on some editing techniques. let me know what you think!

[$1r_M4x1mu$]

Hi vphan119

- try lowering the background opacity or lower the saturation, 'cause it's driving all the attention to it and not to the model.
- Lower your highlights on the model, it's messing up you composition, like in her face, upper body and some other areas as well
- Seems like the whole composition is too dark, try giving back some of the colors so it looks more interesting "unless that was your intention" "sepia effect"

Other than that it looks cool.

[ibclare]

tell her to get new shoes; those soles are grody!!

But seriously, I agree completely with Sir Maximus.

[Hoogle]

As a photography point of view sir max is right that background looks false and draws to much attention. Your colour techniques has made the picture with a lot of jpeg noise maybe that is the upload that has done it. Clare has pointed out the soles could do with retouching. you have blown highlights on the face and any good photographer will point out in any portrait wether it be a soft focus glam action shot the main thing to get right is sharp focused eyes and 2ndly lips. You can do a high pass overlay on the eyes but you will have to mask of the rest of the image as it will highlight all the noise etc. I think you have desaturated the image to much which works fine if it is in the right enviroment but with strong background it does not. When photographing women they like to look beautiful so having dark shady areas around the arm pit just makes them look hairy so lighten it up a bit. Also You have the model dead center in the frame very rarely would you see that any more the rules of 3rds come into play a lot but rules are meant to be broken and can work well if you do not follow them. so to sum up in simple terms
soften up background
move the focus from her feet to her face
reduce colour effects
lighten up areas that need it and darken areas that dont
sharpen eyes up
re assess your crop
make the bright colours more vibrant
But apart from that which sounds harsh I know and I really dont mean to sound like I am being over negative but you have the basics of a great pic there the model suits the enviroment and her outfit and with a few simple steps in photoshop you could make that a great image. and I am sure if you upload the original image and ask people to edit it for you some of us will have a go even if you just use it as reference or for inspiration.

[vphan119]

Thanks to all those that replied, im going to redo the image completely and take into consideration all the advice, i'll let you guys know how it goes. i tried to do a "sucker punch" effect type but i guess i got some work to do!

[ibclare]

Also You have the model dead center in the frame very rarely would you see that any more the rules of 3rds come into play a lot but rules are meant to be broken and can work well if you do not follow them.

Very thorough Hoogle.

Rules are meant to be broken. B_U_T they should never be broken by an artist/photographer/race car driver/what have you until that person knows them thoroughly. An image that shows a scorn of conventions, done by someone with skills that need refining, is a beginner's attempt at art. A picture done by an experienced artist who bends the rules is an individualistic work of art. You have to learn to walk before you can fly.

I like your positive attitude; it will help you in the process of learning.