Old craft
Feb 19, 2019 22:16:02 #
GeorgeK
Loc: NNJ
While visiting family in Isernia, Italy we came across a woman sitting on the street working her craft. Apparently, it is a regional art that goes back many years. It may be called tatting. I took several shots of her at work and tried working on a BW. Here are the original and my latest version. I find it somewhat flat and uninteresting. I use Affinity Photo as my editor if that matters.
I welcome feedback and please feel free to rework it if you like.
I welcome feedback and please feel free to rework it if you like.
Feb 19, 2019 22:35:19 #
Interesting George. Thanks for sharing.
"Tatting - a technique for handcrafting a particularly durable lace from a series of knots and loops. Tatting can be used to make lace edging as well as doilies, collars, accessories such as earrings and necklaces, and other decorative piece."
"Tatting - a technique for handcrafting a particularly durable lace from a series of knots and loops. Tatting can be used to make lace edging as well as doilies, collars, accessories such as earrings and necklaces, and other decorative piece."
Feb 19, 2019 23:46:37 #
That craft is called bobbin lace and uses multiple bobbin to create lace. Tatting is an entirely different craft that can be done with a shuttle or needle.
Feb 20, 2019 08:17:27 #
I had a go at it. I found that it was anything but straightforward. The global adjustments only took it part way there. I stayed with it for a long time, working on one area at a time. I think the doorway is an important compositional element.
Feb 20, 2019 08:25:16 #
The challenges that I see are mostly flat light (that produced lots of middle gray) and the similarities of colors. As fergmark stated, this needs selective adjustments. It is a fascinating image to edit, along with being a very engaging subject. Glad you posted, George; thank you!
- crop, clone out plastic bottle by door
- slight distort to straighten
- Nik Silver Efex using "high structure" pre-set plus orange filter (that slightly lightened the wall and the fabric), 3 sliders for contrast (blacks and whites - moved additional 10% from pre-set. Soft contrast left at 0), selenium toner (middle choice of 3).
- back in PS Elements, separate layer to selectively dodge and burn. Use soft brush at 10% opacity in "overlay" layer blend mode. Darkened door below the angled line and also bottom of image. Lightened some of stucco and woman's face, dress and hands (I should have darkened the tool also!)
-sharpened some of the fabric detail
- upped overall brightness for UHH posting
.
- crop, clone out plastic bottle by door
- slight distort to straighten
- Nik Silver Efex using "high structure" pre-set plus orange filter (that slightly lightened the wall and the fabric), 3 sliders for contrast (blacks and whites - moved additional 10% from pre-set. Soft contrast left at 0), selenium toner (middle choice of 3).
- back in PS Elements, separate layer to selectively dodge and burn. Use soft brush at 10% opacity in "overlay" layer blend mode. Darkened door below the angled line and also bottom of image. Lightened some of stucco and woman's face, dress and hands (I should have darkened the tool also!)
-sharpened some of the fabric detail
- upped overall brightness for UHH posting
.
created from color file
(Download)
switched toning to sepia, with a bit of glamour glow also
(Download)
original conversion
Feb 20, 2019 09:03:30 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
As I worked on this image, several times I saved as an end product, each time deciding to go back and make further adjustments. The last set of adjustments included removing the bottle and more contrast and definition in her face, as well as a large brush burn across the lower portion of the barrel shape in her lap, which gave that form much more three dimensionality. Discovered to my dismay I didn't save the changes. And I did such an impeccable job with the bottle and door. :) Oh well. Senior moment I guess.The challenges that I see are mostly flat light (t... (show quote)
Feb 20, 2019 09:07:50 #
fergmark wrote:
Would love to see the three-dimension effect!As I worked on this image, several times I saved a... (show quote)
I had to start over because when I initially clicked my clone tool, the image shifted: a big burp where her arm and the door frame had detached from themselves - but I didn't notice 'til I was almost completely finished with what I planned to post!
Besides needing to darken the tool she is using, I should also darken the doorstep I think. There are so many selective tweaks we can do to the tones (black, white, grays) when converting from color. Fun!
Feb 20, 2019 10:02:41 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
Would love to see the three-dimension effect! br ... (show quote)
Some images get you going. This is a great way to hone our skills. I took it back out and reenact several of the changes I mentioned, and a down and dirty bottle removal.
Feb 20, 2019 11:27:33 #
kenievans
Loc: Dallas
I decided to give it a try. I don't work in B&W very often. I really wanted to bring out the character in her face.
Feb 20, 2019 12:19:56 #
I thought one of the areas needing work was her face. In the original it's mostly in shadow so the plan was to lift the shadows while not losing contrast, and not having so much contrast that the face ends up looking too harsh. I also brightened the face a little.
Feb 20, 2019 12:34:29 #
GeorgeK
Loc: NNJ
I am glad that those of you who have posted are enjoying it. I have been periodically going back to this picture for about a year and each time I think about a different approach.
I like some of the ideas above. The sepia adds a richness that I like. Removing some of the shadows on the face seems like an improvement. Compositionally, I am not sure of the doorway. While it adds some depth and interest, it can also be a distraction. And that bottle .... while it is not attractive, it did serve a purpose.
I like some of the ideas above. The sepia adds a richness that I like. Removing some of the shadows on the face seems like an improvement. Compositionally, I am not sure of the doorway. While it adds some depth and interest, it can also be a distraction. And that bottle .... while it is not attractive, it did serve a purpose.
Feb 20, 2019 12:45:42 #
GeorgeK wrote:
It's helpful to hear your reactions, George. Thanks again!I am glad that those of you who have posted are en... (show quote)
Feb 20, 2019 13:30:08 #
R.G. wrote:
I thought one of the areas needing work was her face. In the original it's mostly in shadow so the plan was to lift the shadows while not losing contrast, and not having so much contrast that the face ends up looking too harsh. I also brightened the face a little.
Seeing what you did makes me sorry the first thing I did was to crop it. The texture in the paving stones is kind of sinful to eliminate. As with all street type photos it's also rather against my grain to go removing anything that was there.
George, I'm going to keep this great photo handy for future visits. Thank you. Knowing what to do to bring out a photo is every bit as important as knowing how to do it. This photo is a really good test.
Feb 20, 2019 14:53:58 #
fergmark wrote:
Seeing what you did makes me sorry the first thing I did was to crop it......
I was thinking about Graham Smith* when I did this edit. He very rarely has his subjects filling the frame, preferring to keep generous amounts of context, and somehow the subjects still hold our attention.
*added by moderator: Click here for Graham's photos on UHH.
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