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OPR Virtual Offices => Office of the OPR Board => Topic started by: Mhayes on January 19, 2008, 03:44:48 PM

Title: Wedding Pictures
Post by: Mhayes on January 19, 2008, 03:44:48 PM
Hi Everyone,

I have added some more pictures to my gallery. Of those I have nine wedding pictures that I would like to go to one person. The reason for this is that I want them to resemble each other in color. These pictures are easy and the damage is limited to the background. The color should also be easy to correct by using a Curves Adjustment>Auto.

If you would like to work on these, please let me know by email: [email protected] or if you prefer you can leave a comment on one of the pictures. Once I know that you are interested in doing all nine; I will download them to your gallery. This will save you having to go to each of the nine and leaving a comment.

(http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z10/hayesbucket/GriffithsWedding.jpg)

Thanks,

Margie
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: mschonher on January 19, 2008, 06:14:35 PM
Hi Margie, I would love to do those wedding photos. I've worked on many wedding photos and I really enjoy doing them.....Mary :loveit:
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: Mhayes on January 19, 2008, 08:59:31 PM
Thanks everyone, the pictures have found a home.

Margie
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: klassylady25 on January 20, 2008, 01:25:25 AM
http://www.photoworkshop.com/adobe/softwarecinema/Katrin_Eismann/index3.html

This link will help you with the a consistant color for all.... The part I'm talking about is located towards the last.  It's a real winner!! 

Candy
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: mschonher on January 20, 2008, 09:15:20 AM
Hi Candy,

Thanks for the link, for some reason I cannot get to it today but I'll try later on. It might be busy right now. Is this something you download or just an article to read?

Mary
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: klassylady25 on January 20, 2008, 11:25:27 AM
Mary, its in Quick Time.  That may be the reason.  It is a "viewing" only.   However, it is by Katrina Eismann if that helps.
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: mschonher on January 20, 2008, 11:28:57 AM
Hi Candy,
no matter what I've tried I can't see this tutorial....oh well, I guess I'm left to my own devices.............yikes......... :-\
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: Hannie on January 20, 2008, 11:39:43 AM
This is what you need to watch the tutorial Mary.  (I use the one without iTunes)

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

Hannie
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: Mhayes on January 20, 2008, 11:42:17 AM
Hi Candy,

I have the same problem as Mary, only worse. When I hit the space bar to get it to play, I get a few words and then my computer gets hosed up, and then I have to do alt delete to get out. Maybe there is a way to download to your computer and then play it from there? I did get the idea that the tutorial is from Katrin Eisman's book Photoshop Restoration & Retouching, Chapter 2, on page 65?

The reason I asked for one person to do all the wedding pictures involves more than the method used to get a consistent color. I can depend on a good restorer having all of these pictures match. However, if I have four or five people working on the pictures, I am apt to have that many color variations. Not all of the restorers out there work in the same color space: Adobe RGB versus sRGB. The Coffeyville pictures are saved with an Adobe RGB profile, but later come back saved in sRGB. There is also the problem of how the person's monitor is calibrated. One person may see a color cast that is not present on another's monitor.  And so the list goes on.

Margie
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: mschonher on January 20, 2008, 04:14:24 PM
Margie, Thanks for that information. I'm not going to worry about seeing Kats video, my pc got locked up too. I'm wondering one has to purchase and upgrade, does anyone out there know?
Mary
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: glennab on January 20, 2008, 06:18:17 PM
Hi Mary

It's nice to see you on the forum.  I checked my version of Quick Time this afternoon, was advised that there's an upgrade, and downloaded it free.  I believe the software itself is free as well.  I had problems with anything internet related until I got my Mac Pro.  If yours is an older computer or you have a slow internet connection, I suspect you'll run into those roadblocks.  I sure did with my G3.

I watched the Katrin Eismann video (a great one! Fleshes out the tutorials in her book.).  The part that I think would help you most is the one concerning adjustment of multiple photos, each with the same color cast.  It's pretty straight-forward. Use one of the photos as your "template," make an adjustment layer to color correct with levels or curves, then once you're happy with the color, copy (drag and drop!) the adjustment layer to each of the other images.  They immediately take on the same correction as the first photo.  Then if any of them needs further tweaking, it would most likely be minimal.

I'll be interested in how well it works for you.

Hugs!

Glenna

Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: mschonher on January 21, 2008, 12:56:42 PM
Hi Glenna,

I use a PC, the part that has me confused it that I already have Quick Time so an upgrade should be pretty easy. I also have a high speed connection, I really just gave up yesterday. Last week my PC crashed for the very first time, it's probably 4 years old now but it's a Dell and this is the first time I've had to completely dump everything and re-install it. What a nightmare! I'm wondering if this has anything to do with not being able to upgrade QT? I'll probably try once more today.

That technique you mention sounds interesting but I'm not sure I'll try it with these particular photos. I've already got 3 of them done, they are a relaltively simple fix, at least so far, but ya never know! Also I'm downloading just 3 at a time because I don't like to have too much on my pc at one time, it slows down PS. This is what happens when you are self taught! Good to hear from you my friend......

Hugs right back at ya....................Mary

Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: mschonher on January 21, 2008, 01:07:06 PM
(http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k88/mschonher/GriffithsA_A1_101_4x5do%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k88/mschonher/GriffithsA_A1_100_4x5done.jp%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k88/mschonher/GriffithsA_A1_94_4x5done.jpg)g[/IMG]ne.jpg[/IMG]

Here's what I've done so far......see what you think about the color corredtions.................Mary
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: Hannie on January 21, 2008, 01:12:01 PM
Mary, I can't see the image you posted, you'll have to try it again.... :huh:

Hannie
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: mschonher on January 21, 2008, 01:13:27 PM
(http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k88/mschonher/GriffithsA_A1_100_4x5d%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k88/mschonher/GriffithsA_A1_101_4x5done.jpg)one(http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k88/mschonher/GriffithsA_A1_94_4x5done.jpg).jpg[/IMG]

O :-[ne more try at trying to show you what I've done so far!

Mary
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: mschonher on January 21, 2008, 01:14:54 PM
Hi Hannie, I tried to put all three photos in one post...I guess there must be a trick to it or I just have to do it one at a time.....
Mary
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: mschonher on January 21, 2008, 01:17:03 PM
(http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k88/mschonher/GriffithsA_A1_100_4x5done.jpg)

Here's # 2................Mary
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: mschonher on January 21, 2008, 01:18:04 PM
(http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k88/mschonher/GriffithsA_A1_101_4x5done.jpg)

And # 3..........Mary
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: glennab on January 21, 2008, 02:04:47 PM
Hi Mary

The overall color looks wonderful.  All I see is that in the last photo her bodice looks a bit blown out and in the two full-figure shots her bouquet and ribbon look less vibrant than the close-up.  With everything else looking so good, I don't know if it's worth it to try to adjust those minor issues.

I still wanna be like you when I grow up!

Bless

Glenna
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: kiska on January 21, 2008, 03:20:50 PM
Mary, maybe there's a size limit per post?
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: mschonher on January 21, 2008, 04:06:11 PM
Hi Glenna,

The bodice doens't show as blown out on my pc but I'm certainly going to take another look at it. Another pair of eyes is so helpful isn't it?  :cool: As for the ribbon It would certainly be less vibrant in the distant shots because it's further away from us viewers. Does that make any sense to you Glenna? I noticed that overall, the far away shots are much less vibrant than the close ups. Now I'm going to go check out that bodice...
Mary
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: Mhayes on January 21, 2008, 04:27:58 PM
Hi Mary,

I think you have done a beautiful job!  :up: You are correct about the difference in the close up being more vibrant than then distant shot on the ribbon. I checked both pictures and I think you are spot on. As far the bodice, I think that looks okay too. I did do a Shadow/Highlight and I could pull a little more of the detail out. I think what you see is as the photographer took it.

Another thing,  I work in Adobe RGB and that is considered the better profile for photographers. However, when you post to the Web, what looks good on your screen may look washed out. I have started changing the profile of what I post to the Web as srgb and also increasing the Saturation to look closer to what I have on my screen.

Margie
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: Tess (Tassie D) on January 21, 2008, 06:03:30 PM
Great job on those lovely photos Mary. I did some adjustments to get the colours more vibrant and remove the brownish tint around the veil.

(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c5/tassie_devil/OPR/bride.png)
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: mschonher on January 21, 2008, 06:42:18 PM
Hi Tassie,

I love what you did to the skin tones! It looks better than what I had. I'm going to re-work the photo again. The background now looks all black, I was trying to keep the brown tones in as they are prevalent in all of the photos. I was thinking that the brown color in the background looks very rich and interesting than just flat black. Also, I'm afraid of getting the dress too white, I'm not sure how it would print out. I always worry about getting the photos too "contrasty" as it can get harsh at printout time. I do love the color of her skin...Thanks so much for your great input.
Mary
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: mschonher on January 21, 2008, 06:58:18 PM
Hi Margie,
Thanks for the kind words, however I'm going to rework the skin tones to look more like what Tassie has, they are cooler in color than what I've done. I have a question for you about the backgrounds in all of these photos. There is definitely brown in the background, I doubt it's a color cast of some kind. I have many books and catalogs on backgrounds and I've seen this particular one many times before. I know you were concerned about there being continuity in the photos, so my question is this; should I leave the brown in the background of the close up that Tassie worked on or leave it  more contrasty and black?
I'm using RGB color space also. It's very confusing to know which setting will give us the very best output. I'm open to any advice on this matter. I will use more contrast in these pics if you think they need it.

Mary
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: schen on January 21, 2008, 07:03:59 PM
I like the warmer color.  The cooler one makes me shiver especially when the temperature outside is below zero F.
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: Tess (Tassie D) on January 21, 2008, 07:20:01 PM
I like the rich brown background but was surprised to find a different one when I ran it through the kodak filters. It's just a rough go, would need warming up a bit. I copied the brown background as well and overlaid the adjusted photo into it and sent it behind the top layer. The bride then looked the same as in this pic below but with the brown background.

(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c5/tassie_devil/OPR/bride2.jpg)
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: klassylady25 on January 21, 2008, 08:05:58 PM
Tassie, have you thought about duplicating the photo, running the background through neat image so that the background is a bit less textured then erasing the old background? 

Hope that makes sense to you?   :P  You've done a great job on the bride.  She was a beauty!!
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: Mhayes on January 21, 2008, 09:10:23 PM
Tess, I love what you have done with the backdrop, but I really believe in all of the pictures the backdrop is more of a warm chestnut color. Mary, I personally like the warm tone compared to the cooler one. As far as tweaking the skin and veil, that would be your call. I think on the sheer part of dress on the bottom, the brown color of the carpet is going to show through. The background on all of these wedding pictures is pretty consistent. Not that this is the final tweak, but Curves and auto took out the color cast. I have done Levels and also Threshold, but the problem on the latter is that I don't think you are going to find a true black in some of these. If you use a dark brown and call it black, it will shift it to another look.

Margie
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: Tess (Tassie D) on January 21, 2008, 09:35:04 PM
Quote from: klassylady25 on January 21, 2008, 08:05:58 PM
Tassie, have you thought about duplicating the photo, running the background through neat image so that the background is a bit less textured then erasing the old background? 

Hope that makes sense to you?   :P  You've done a great job on the bride.  She was a beauty!!

It is the unaltered background here, only run through the kodak filters to show what was the original behind the brown. No erasing took place. :)
I agree that the brown does look nice, just wanted to see what the original was like.
Mary has done a great job on them, I was just trying different levels.
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: glennab on January 21, 2008, 11:12:57 PM
Hi Mary

I just got to the forum and have perused the ongoing posts.  I'm with Shujen in preferring the warm colors that you rendered originally.  The young woman's skin looks much more vibrant and life-like to me.

Hugs

Glenna
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: Hannie on January 22, 2008, 06:48:42 AM
Oh boy this is so much fun!  I have been following the discussion as well and I agree with Glenna and Chen on the warmth of the colors, very nice! 
On the other hand I would like to see the dress and veil just a tiny bit less yellow and add some vibrancy to the bouquet as well.
The left picture is the original restoration and the right one I did levels and then selected the background and did a color correction, (more red, magenta and yellow).

:loveit:

Hannie

(http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb18/marijtje2/OPR/levels2.jpg)
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: mschonher on January 22, 2008, 03:49:56 PM
Hi Everyone,

Thank you all so much for your input. Are you sick of this discussion yet? I'm leaning to the warm side of the flesh tones. I'm working on the worst of the lot today and it's going to be so difficult....I'm giving up for now and going on to the easier ones....saving the worse for last. I'm thinking this posting stuff is fun...............................Mary :loveit:
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: mschonher on January 22, 2008, 03:52:04 PM
Hi Hannie, I forgot to mention in former post that I kept the veil the color I did so it would look sheer. In my humble opinion it looks like some kind heavier fabric in your rendition....everything else is great though.............Mary
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: Hannie on January 22, 2008, 04:02:32 PM
That is true Mary, your picture looks much softer, dreamier, very pretty!

:hug:

Hannie
Title: Re: Wedding Pictures
Post by: Ausimax on January 22, 2008, 11:06:28 PM
Hi Mary,

You probably already know this, but for Veils what I generally do is make a new layer set to colour blending mode and paint over the veil with white, you can then vary the opacity of the layer to get the effect you want.

This is your pic with the white at 100% opacity, it is rough I justed painted without using a selection.


(http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/9844/gagf4.jpg)

Another thing that may cause some disparity of what you see to what others on the forum see is that I noticed your photo was RGB, it is better to convert the image you are going to upload to the forum to sRGB as that displays the colours more accurately on web pages.


Max