Shot RAW, converted to TIFF in Photomatix, worked in PSCS3.
- Cropped to 8x10 (pretty radical crop).
- Adjusted level
- Added new layer from the red channel, cut out feathered oval in centre, blended in soft light
- Converted background layer to B/W except the red soda can (using gradient map)
- USM, twice (18/40/0)
- Created top blank layer filled with 50% gray, blended in soft light, and dodged/burned on it (girls face, a bit of the stonework, the soda can - all pretty much in the mid section of the image); blended at around 50% opacity.
- Flattened
- Masked portfolio case and ran through Noise Ninja
- Cloned out distractions (spots on portfolio, trash on the sidewalk, bump on wall)
- Resized and sharpened using smart sharpen
- Used very light sharpen brush on sidewalk stones (to define a touch better)
- Used "variations" for final adjustment
- Saved for web
Statistics
Place: 22 out of 288 Avg (all users): 6.5652 Avg (commenters): 7.4815 Avg (participants): 6.4426 Avg (non-participants): 6.7037 Views since voting: 2047 Views during voting: 514 Votes: 230 Comments: 44 Favorites: 9 (view)
i have to say, the image size puts this photo in a disadvantage, because clearly this shot would have been MUCH better in larger sizes. i reckon that's how it could have been, because then the coke bottle would stood out even more, with enough details on it to please folks. that huge bag is stealing all the attention here, but there's nothing to see on it.
I had this rated much higher than your finish but I'm curious about the trash you cloned out. The "perfectness" of this photo bothered me just a little so perhaps keeping the trash would have worked better? Just wondering.
The trash I cloned out was minimal, a cigarette butt in front of the girl. If it would have been more trash, bigger, more noticeable, I would have left it, but it was so little that it showed more as a flaw than as trash IMO. Soooo .... gotta get away from "perfectness", eh?
This one really stood out to me and was among my top scorers in voting. I love that the vines along the top are included, and think that they serve to frame the image well and add texture and visual interest.
I gave this a 7. I thought the selective desat on the coke can was silly, but otherwise this is an outstanding photo. Elegant, great composition, a powerful sense of being burdened from the woman.
I had this rated much higher than your finish but I'm curious about the trash you cloned out. The "perfectness" of this photo bothered me just a little so perhaps keeping the trash would have worked better? Just wondering.
I really like this. Lighting on the bag is fantastic. I believe leaving the can red actually kind of takes away from the picture, but that's just me. Still a wonderful shot either way.
Great b&w conversion and composition. Really like the movement of the subject through the photo, makes it much more dynamic. Really hate the selective desat because I don't think it adds to this photo in any way, shape or form. High probability though that the reason just went completely over my head.
I have not totally finished voting, but this is one of my favorites so far. The portfolio case is nearly as big as the girl, and then there is that coke can. I laughed out loud!
EXCELLENT use of selective desaturation :-) It doesn't shout at you, but it makes its point. I like this very much. She seems so resigned... A pause that refreshes would seem to be in order here :-)
I love that this picture has such simplicity (a synonym often used with Asian subjects), still has a nice range on the tonality, and even has a bit of humor. Nicely done.
The coke can in that extremely odd little wall niche really makes this doesn't it? One of the few selective desats I think really adds something to the way I'm viewing the image. Interesting character too - wonder what she's carrying in her huge portfolio case?
I like how you selectively desaturated to enhance the can to pull the viewers eyes to it thus helping fit your title. I think her sleeve could be burned a bit to help even out the tones but other wise very pleasant image.
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