Since I've had my camera, I've made plenty of mistakes with pictures. The cool thing about working in digital is that I can for the most part improve images. I can go back and find images that I thought were great, but find ways to make them even better.

A favorite picture of mine was a portrait. Not having any special equipment available, I made do with the built in flash. I thought the picture was great at first, but I just kept finding ways to improve it. Until I can afford a nice lighting setup, most of my pictures are only marginal.

I just thought I'd share the comparison pic I made so I can see from others if my choices in touch ups, color-correction, etc. work together for a better image.

A quick list of what I've done:

Heal/Clone brushes for removal of some of the frizzy hair and any other marks
Selective color mask to reduce the amount of reflected flash from the skin and to add more natural colors.
Brightness/contrast
Color balance done with green greyscale component as the mask to improve the complexion.

Very nice shot.. Way killer background..

Nice work the resulting image is much warmer.

Really love the image on the left....that is the postworked one right? Looks warm and very natural....

Well, no. I thought I'd take a good image and see how realistically bad I could make it! :) No, I guess I forgot to mention the obvious: the postworked on is on the left, the original on the right. I think the only change to the original up there was the flash color correction through the RAW import in Photoshop, but that change was only marginal.

On my monitor, the one on the Left looks nicest. I remember the original image from the Gallery, and was quite impressed at the time. Not convinced it is healthy to become obsessive about improving an old image. With a model this pretty, why not just shoot some more?

Ooops! :~) Open mouth insert foot.... Sorry! I do like the pre-work version for it's warmth..... the postwork seems to have lost that... It looks like a flash shot, if you know what I mean.... :~) My apologies!

Sorry, not trying to be obsessed with fixing the image up. Just trying to figure out what works best. I honestly don't know how to fix pictures up very well. It seems hit-or-miss. So, Michelle, you preffered the original on the right? Just trying to make sure you knew ones were which. I just kinda thought the original on the right lacked more natural yellow tones and the whites stuck out a bit too much. So I guess it's a bit difficult to make any one image "perfect" color-wise :) Thanks for helping me learn as I try to get me feel for what can be done in photography. Michael

Ok now I'm confused scratches head..... the left one.... I like the one on the left, thats the one I'm talking about.... I thought you said that the one on the right was the postworked one, which made me feel like a big dope.! LOL!

As a side note it's a fact that people prefer images that have warmer tones..... Blue, cyan, project coldness, isolation, sadness..... good if thats what you are trying to project, not so good for skin tones. Yellow warmth..... happiness, love, great for portraits...

the one on the viewer's left is definately the better shot, like the warm smooth skin tones, you are mastering the digital darkroom :] sure she'd love to have a copy

I was pretty amazed at what's possible with just 3 adjustment layers (image isn't bad at all if left untouched in other regards). It am also reminded to take better pictures because that's really what photography is about. The image posted above is the original with only the adjustment layer modifications (maybe a little more natural looking now that I look at it). I'll put the image to rest with this one as I'm happy with the results :)

Yeah, I guess my photographing her was just a little bit flirtatious. I'll probably get her a good copy of it if she wants. Maybe see if she'll let me take other pictures so I don't overdue this one.

Thanks for the comments everyone,

Michael Kubilis

LOL@Michelle....... which side of your monitor are you at, the front or the back?!? tee hehehe Definately the LEFT picture is better, much richer tones. Nice job! (",)

Wow! I like the one on the left! And that background.... OMG! Please tell me what that is? Almost looks like you might have been in Las Vegas in front of a flashing neon sign or something! Excellent work! Brenda aka: Nilla :)

It was a tree with christmas lights hanging around down around it in the lobby of a Mariott hotel. I knew how the backdrop would work the instant I saw it :)

was that the same hotel that Don likes to visit with his little erm..... escorts? he he he (",)