Help with this pic: Please tell me what I could have done better, in addition how can I take the flash from the face and maybe blur the background,,, what kind of blur in photoshop CS%...

cony25

Please tell me what I could have done better, in addition how can I take the flash from the face and maybe blur the background,,, what kind of blur in photoshop CS% do you recommend so It won't look like a fake background?

gordnanaimo Loc: Vancouver Island

could have bounced the flash off the ceiling if the ceiling was white, Used a softbox and take the flash off camera and hold it at an angle to the model.Now a gausein filter will take out the back ground but you are in for a pile of picky time consuming work. Should have drooped the aperture to the most wide open of to shorten the DOF

ronz Loc: Florida

A couple problems arose here. The high angle made her arms and legs appear very heavy which you don't want and because of the length of the photo (top of head to feet) put some limits on the aperture you can use due to DOF. If you had shot at an open aperture her head and shoulders would have been in focus and the rest out of focus ( maybe not a bad idea). Shadow can be eliminated with bounce or possible a good soft box or even beauty dish. Honestly just not a flattering position for a very attractive girl. Your idea is good just not quite so straight over her. High position can be flattering but usually a head shot works best possibly leaning lightly on her elbow lying on the grass. Keep working and trying new angles until you find your favorites that look terrific.

gdwsr Loc: Northern California

I agree with gord and ronz. In addition, watch out for the far hand coming out of her head (you can clone that out). and the sunlight (?) on the floor. Do you have enough resolution to crop in just on her head and hair? Could be effective.

I agree, great idea but a lot to keep in mind.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

That would take a lot of work just set the shot up. If this were mine I would crop tight around her head and shoulders and go with that.
erv

ftpecktim Loc: MONTANA

cony25 wrote:

Please tell me what I could have done better, in addition how can I take the flash from the face and maybe blur the background,,, what kind of blur in photoshop CS% do you recommend so It won't look like a fake background?

Gausian blur

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

Its almost never flattering to shoot down on someone. Its one of those rules you can break if its for the right reason. Doesn't work here. If you gotta group you can shoot down on them. If its a long focal length(You're a decent ways away) you can shoot up at individuals or groups. Slightly down on someone is ok most of the time. Slightly up is ok sometimes as long as you don't shoot the nostril. I have tried to break these rules on occasion. I still haven't been able to successfully break the rule you broke here. It would have to be in some bigger context(or perhaps a lesser one... aka just the head(BLUR) to pull it off.
Just my opinion.

Bunko.T Loc: Western Australia.

cony25 wrote:

Please tell me what I could have done better, in addition how can I take the flash from the face and maybe blur the background,,, what kind of blur in photoshop CS% do you recommend so It won't look like a fake background?

That was done with Picasa in a coupla minutes.

How about that for size?
How about that for size?...

Picdude Loc: Ohio

Since you already have the shot (and have already received multiple good suggestions on how to recapture the subject) you can try adding a couple of layers in CS5 and using layer masks to isolate the subject from the bakground. Then you can make exposure/color adjustments to the subject in one layer and blur adjustments to the background in the other. Use a small smudge brush at low opacity around the edges of the subject to help her blend in after your adjustments.

nikonlad Loc: Venice, FL

I lowered the highlights in PS6 added a slight blur vignette

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

I was thinking this. So pretty, She doesn't need back ground.:)
Erv

cony25

Looks much better!!! However I need to print an 16 by 20,,, and you just chopped off half the picture,,, am I in for a bad print???

Erv wrote:

I was thinking this. So pretty, She doesn't need back ground.:)
Erv

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

What camera you using? and what is the sensor size? Try it on plan paper first to see if it is really grainy.
Erv

nicelights Loc: 30 miles east of LA

In addition to the other very good advice: Darken the top of the post in the lower right to match the rest of the wood.
The lightness is distracting from her face. Lighten the shadow on the carpet to match the illuminated part. And for next time: No hosiery. Bare legs are not shiney, reflective nylons are.

mafadecay Loc: Wales UK

nicelights wrote:

In addition to the other very good advice: Darken the top of the post in the lower right to match the rest of the wood.
The lightness is distracting from her face. Lighten the shadow on the carpet to match the illuminated part. And for next time: No hosiery. Bare legs are not shiney, reflective nylons are.

Burn the legs! Not litterally use the burn tool to soften the highlights. I flicked through comments really fast as it is getting late now. I agree with gausian blur and work on a duplicate layer so that you can fade your results.