Theme: Hiding Behind f 2.8

[Jackie Schuknecht]

My nephew did not want his picture taken this day, so he pulled up all his toys in front of his face. I used the 100mm macro. Processed mainly in DXO Colour Lab, I used a preset then added some film grain. The program claims to mimic all types of film used in the past. Also used NIK Analog to add bokeh to a busy BG.

[Judy Howle]

I love this Jackie! Great processing with the texture and grain to make it look vintage. I don't have DXO other than the free one that is the previous version and not too good IMO. I think they added a lot in the current version. I keep forgetting about Nik Analog! I mainly use Exposure 5 by AlienSkin for vintage films.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hi, Jackie, perfect for the theme and I love the image! Your nephew looks like he's adorable and I love his "camouflage" It reminds me of all the photos of my great-grandmother - she hated having her picture taken and every one I've ever seen had her face hidden by one of those purses that the Queen of England carries with her everywhere.

[Nancy Bell]

Wonderful capture of those bright eyes and delicate eyelashes, and perfect for the theme! I like the film rendition very much, but there is something about that large scratch near the right edge in the bkgd. that keeps catching my eye. I think it is because the bkgd there is very plain and that makes the scratch more prominent.

[Anita Bower]

You did a good job of focusing on his eyes, peeking through his protective toys. I like the tone of the image. The catchlights in his eyes are great. What caused the lighter area around his hair? It is a bit distracting. Good work.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Thanks Anita and Nancy. Funny the things you don't notice. I got rid of the scratch, and Anita, I had different incandescent lights coming from different directions (potlights), I tried to darken them using select>colour range, duplicating and using the subtract filter at about 12 percent. An improvement?

[Anita Bower]

I see a slight difference.

[Dennis Bishop]

I like them both. The important elements -- the eyes with their catchlights, the toys, and the highlights in his hair -- make the image for me, and the other parts play a supporting role. Nice job in capturing and showing a precious moment.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

OK Anita, last try. Started from scratch. Added a vignette to get rid of the halo around the hair, put it thru Old Postcard in DXO twice. Added a frame and a texture from flypaper.

[Anita Bower]

For me, the last version works best. My eye goes right to the eyes!!! Good persistence. But, which version do you prefer?

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Strangely enough, I think I like the final version the best. All the distracting BG elements have been eliminated.

[Randall Farhy]

Personal taste I suppose, the last one fits the OOB theme a little bit better, but I do prefer the first as it is more reminiscent of a vintage photo, hair halo being the only real distraction. It's certainly one of those special moments well captured.