Lighter or darker?

[Vich]

I added PP spotlight to upper right (keylight was on left).

The darker seems too dark. The lighter seems washed out. What to do?

C&C ... Edits welcome.

http://newportphotoworks.smugmug.com/photos/189914861-M.jpg http://newportphotoworks.smugmug.com/photos/189915320-M.jpg

Original:
http://newportphotoworks.smugmug.com/photos/189919370-M.jpg
Original (in case you wanted to play)
http://newportphotoworks.smugmug.com/photos/189919370-O.jpg

Thanks!

[drama]

I like the original most, among the B&W's the lighter version

[coldrain]

How did you do the black and white conversion?

Here a simple black and white conversion in CS2, via:
menu:
Image/Adjustments/Channel Mixer...

Check "monochrome".

Red channel to 40%
Green channel to 40%
Blue channel to 20%

[coldrain]

Same, but then with:
menu: Image/Exposure...
Exposure set to +0.33

[anco85]

See post below please

[anco85]

whoops, ok, here is what I managed

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/5230/untitled1kx1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[GaryS]

Vich, I like your first one best. The second version is fine too... I don't like any of the C&C edits... sorry guys.

[24Peter]

I like the original myself. Brighten that up a bit. B&W conversions not really working for me on this pic.

[Vich]

I like the original myself. Brighten that up a bit. B&W conversions not really working for me on this pic.
Thanks Pete, thanks guys.

Funny Pete; my kid said "no daddy, I like the color one". She didn't mind 5% extra magenta my Dell Laser adds.

I did the B&W because my color laser printer is way off and I needed quick photos for Kindergarten teacher (/day care) thank you notes.

Conversion was PS CS3 (just refreshed computer after HDD crash, no Kubota actions nor Lightroom - my usual tools). Mostly in the middle (40-50%) with aqua about 80 and blue about 60% - to brighten the whites of the eyes. That version looked good but I added spotlight and canvas texture filters because I wanted to emphasize her face more. Only had about 15 minutes but my versions didn't really work for me either. Do like the shot though.


Anco85 - I like the the softer / lighter look. What's your technique?

I do wish I had a hair-light rather than just a black background. Wonder if there's a PS action for that?

... always learning! Appreciate the comments.

[noyjimi]

i like the first one, there's more separation. excellent capture on the expression!

[Vich]

i like the first one, there's more separation. excellent capture on the expression!

Thanks. It was a crop off a bigger one I had discarded. But last night I was thumbing through the originals looking for a good crop and Bingo. Full crop here.
http://FLASHME.smugmug.com/photos/157701619-S.jpg
(full image here (http://FLASHME.smugmug.com/photos/157701619-O.jpg))

Using two Quantum lights with a 580EX off to one side (earlier, when the actual client was sitting there, the 580EX was behind them - looked great)! I'm no pro - just got use of the quantums. Wow! Talk about a magic bullet! Just set the camera to manual at the setting the light meter instructed and ... perfect lighting! I don't have $3K to drop on a setup of my own, but I can see how a school photographer does it. (queue lightbulb over head)

[Spookonthe8ball]

I like the lighter B&W and the color one. The original image of both girls is nice also. A little pp and you'll have a presentable image of both girls.
Spook