henrycrafter Loc: Orem Utah

Some are good Some aren't.
I do a lot of creative editing, creating more phot-art than
photo-graphy.
Some of you will like these. Some of you won't.
However this is what I do. Enjoy if you like.
Be kind in your critism. I am old and fragile!! Ha HA!!

Modified gradient background


Maggie


Chevi

Travis Loc: Wetumpka, Alabama

I really love the third one. The other two are great, but something about the colors in that third one that gets my attention.

Sugarpenny Loc: Mid Michigan

Well, I disagree with Travis on this one....I love the 2nd one. Sure are different. Good job and imaginative.

Travis Loc: Wetumpka, Alabama

Well, I'm an earth tones kind of guy and I loved the brown. You are right very imaginative work!!! Thank you for all of your comments on my photos!!!!!!

Strubbles

The backgrounds are interesting, but I am not sure that they enhance the subjects. I think they take away from the subjects.

PitchurMan Loc: Michigan

I like "Chevi" quite a lot. Regarding the other two: I like the ideas, but the execution - not so much. Portrait retouching should not draw attention to itself. I know Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, but can't offer advice in other imaging programs. I would suggest using layers and masks, also build retouching gradually rather than setting your brushes to 100% all the time. For example, to remove a blemish or wrinkle by cloning a skin tone, set your brush opacity to approximately 15% and cover the blemish gradually (Most often it's best not to cover it completely).

In "Modified Gradient Background," you have applied an excessive amount of blur to the models face. The noise in her hair on the left doesn't match the noise on the right and the features of her ear lobe are all but obliterated. The softness between the model and the background is seriously unbalanced i.e., ultra soft facial features vs needle sharp background.

I am belaboring my point, but your objective should be to have the viewer notice the model's natural beauty rather than your marvelous retouching skills.

Here is a before and after example to illustrate my points. Notice the skin texture on the models forehead; the highlight on her chin and the dark circles under her eyes. Also note that I left her mole intact. I darkened her blouse to diminish the competing pattern and filled in the hair over her right ear. I also used a "multiply" layer and a mask to vignette the corners.

After all that, I do like your ideas. If you use Photoshop, Scott Kelby's books are all excellent.

Before


After

turp77 Loc: Connecticut, Plainfield

Keep up the good work and have fun

henrycrafter Loc: Orem Utah

I get a huge variety of responses to the type of work that I do. However the response that affects me most id the response that I get from my cash customers. I find that my customers either give a WOW! response or a flatline. The ones that wow pay the most money for the work.
Thanks for your input.

Huddy Loc: Fitzgerald, GA

Picturman, I disagree on which photo is better. The first has matching skin tones for face and body. The second looks as if she did not get a tan on her face. It looks washed out. That healthy look has gone. Her dress has lost it's non distracting detail as well. Sorry to be so negative. Maybe you could add a little tan to her face to bring back that natural glow without loosing your facial touches.