First I made some adjustments in LR5 as a color image, like adjusting the camera calibration, setting the white and black points, adjusting exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows and clarity. I also played with the tone curve and detail tabs. Then I switched to PS cc where I needed to crop, convert to B&W in Nik, dodge and burn, clone blemishes, sharpen globally and locally (it probably would be a good idea to clean my glasses next time), curves with a mask to darken the background, add a slight filter to warm it up a little, add a frame, and maybe a couple more similar steps that I have forgotten.
There were a lot of steps, but considering the mug I was using to begin with, it's pretty understandable why.
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I agree with the chin crop comments. I had a short cord on my cable release and with a 100mm lens I just couldn't back up enough to make the right shot. I tried portrait format rather than landscape but didn't like the results and couldn't seem to get my eyes sharp with the timer. I new this would be frowned upon, but decided to try it anyway. Live and learn.
Since the comments are pretty much universally down on the crop, this exercise serves a purpose nonetheless. When it's a bad idea...just don't do it.
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