I am a contributer with iHeartfaces, and every week we use one photo to edit.
This photo comes courtesy of one of our contributors: Michelle Johnson! She is an amazing photographer. Simply amazing!
Here is the BEFORE shot:
It appears to be a little underexposed, and the focus is falling on the left side of her head, right at the hair at her temple. The focus isn’t on her eyes at all, and there’s not a LOT you really can do about that without really effecting the quality of the photo. We don’t want ALIEN eyes! LOL But, the little girl is so beautiful, let’s not waste this shot!
For my EASY edits, I opened up my color balance and adjusted the colors a bit. Then I opened my levels and adjusted the highlights and the shadows to make the photo pop! Then I used USM set at 81/2.3/0 to defog the photo a touch.
AFTER with basic edits:
Now, this is better……brighter and the colors pop!
But, with just a few more little tricks with some actions, I took it a bit further: I used Pioneer Woman’s “Sharpen This” with a brush opacity of 68%, then reduced the opacity of that layer down to only 57% so they wouldn’t be overdone. (But, now I wish I had reduced it down to only about 40%. They look overdone to me now. Poop.) Then I made a new layer and used my selection tool to select around her teeth. I reduced any yellow that may have been there, and dodged the teeth just to brighten them just a bit. Then I used the same selection tool to go around her undereye circles (my oldest has these SAME circles) and I went into my hue and saturation and reduced the red, blue and magenta. Then I used my dodge tool with an opacity of 19% and lightened the area. (This is also the edit that I kept returning to play with later with more actions and adjustments.)
Once I had my BASE photo to play with, I went into my little bag of tricks! I used Florabella action “Wisteria” from her Vintage Spring Set 1 and then did a square crop just for fun! I loved the effect this action gave the photo! It’s ageless!
Then I went back into my little bag of tricks and ran Route 66 action “Major Sweet tooth” then I brightened the photo and did a contrast boost. I cropped it to a vertical 5×7 leaving in the barrette for interest. I love the whimsical feel of that barrette! Reminded me of my own childhood when I had loads of those barrettes! {sigh} to be young again…….(this was not my favorite edit though. I’m just being honest)
Then, because I have to have a great black and white, I ran Florabella’s “B/W sandalwood” action from her Vintage Spring set II. I bumped the levels (shadows and highlights) and then cropped in close on the eyes. (I’m still looking for an AMAZING black and white action. I can’t seem to find one that I’m in LOVE with. Anyone have any they totally LOVE and ADORE? I like this one, but I always have to adjust everything.)
I’m sorry, are you sick of me yet? Have you passed the 2nd edit and given up on me? Do I do too many edits? No one says anything, so I just go with it. Give lots of choices and lots of ideas. I like being creative. So, is it just me that enjoys so many? April and Pam may still be here reading…..HI LADIES! ♥ you! (They’re so supportive)
Anyway, for my FUN edit, I decided to use some new toys from Scrap Girls! If you are into digital scrapbooking, you will LOVE these! (And the ladies are so SWEET! Check ’em out! I promise you won’t be disappointed!) I’m still new to digital scrapbooking, but they have lots of help on their site. And I just think it’s fun! (Had to throw in a little love for Amy and Angie too. 😉 I love what iHeartfaces has done for me, so had to give a little shout out! HAHAHA)
Be kind, and try something NEW this week!
Dana Suggs