Cailley Turning

http://yamo.zenfolio.com/img/s8/v9/p555691569.jpg

Processed further from a normal processing final. Most of the visual change was in a initial monochrome channel mixer layer selecting for mostly the blue channel. A second monochrome layer was created in CMYK mode (a wide gamut CMYK) to accentuate the eyes (don't remember the mixing levels). Color reintroduced by a series of layer blending with the two monochrome layers (luminocity, multiply, screen, pin light, were used). This is a bit of a painting with layer blending that is different each time. Background is from original. Some final touches with selective saturation, and a little additional detail (Topaz Detail) for the eyes, lashes.

This is one of my favorite shots of my daughter, about a year ago at ten. She doesn't allow many photos to be taken of her (sigh). This was a stealth shot (cropped from a 340mm shot) the last of a series of looking up, realizing she's being shot and turning away. Some intermediate place between affection and eye-rolling.

Thanks for looking...

Cheers,

-Michael-

Very subtle PP, and I really like the shy half smile. Skin tones looks great.

Very pretty, Michael. Nice pose and I like the look you captured. Nice subtle PP and thanks for the workflow.

Just for comparison, and so we can learn, can you post the orig Michael??

A very nice portrait Michael. I like the bg and the very nice skin tones. I would probably crop a bit from the right to reinforce the "up-close" feel. What a great look she gave you!

Jackie, Christopher, Kerry,

Thanks much for the comments... Jackie, the original finished version follows:

http://yamo.zenfolio.com/img/s7/v7/p181994712.jpg

D3 200f2+TC17EII (340mm) 1/800 @ f/5.6 ISO1000 Spot metered Original processing included lowering contrast in raw conversion (contrasty shadows from hair, bright sun) eye brightening and detailing, Cyan and slight magenta adjustments in CMYK mode curves (wide gamut CMYK) for skin tones.

I think looking at this one (original process) makes the other one (OOTB process) look odd... but if you just look at the OOTB one the oddness goes away... for me, anyway.

Kerry, I've tried several different crops... might take a sliver off the right on another try...

Cheers,

-Michael-

Michael somehow in PP I think you have lost a lot of the "warmth". Just my opinion. The orig has more magenta and even has some nice warm highlights in the hair. Still a beautiful image nonetheless.

Jackie, Yeah, my wife said pretty much the same... she doesn't like the desaturated look. I find it difficult to judge what I like & don't like looking at these side by side (I feel the same about color and monochrome versions). I like the ootb processed one more the longer it's been since I've looked at the original processed one. Maybe it's just that I like the original better.... but there is something about the eyes in the ootb one that locks me in (the purpose of the ootb processing was to bring out the eyes).

I thought you might find this interesting... The first step of the ootb processing was a channel mixer that emphasized the blue channel. On the left is the default channel mixer monochrome (rgb - 40-40-20 - which is fairly true to the tone of the original color one) and on the right is the 1st layer that I used (approx. 16-18-75, brighter overall). This first layer set the tone for the rest of the processing (including a separate channel mixer for the irises).

http://yamo.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v15/p326119817.jpg

Cheers,

-Michael-

Michael - I like the OP the best. It's a lovely portrait:)

Thanks for explaing what you did Micheal. I can see your point about the eyes being more vibrant in the OP and if that was your aim you definitely achieved it. Really appreciate you posting the channel pics.